29 Facts About Absolute Radio

Absolute Radio is a British National radio station owned and operated by Bauer as part of the Absolute Radio Network.

The Absolute Radio Authority was mandated to award three INR licences, one of which had to be for a 'non-pop' station, and one of which had to be for a predominantly speech-based service .

The Absolute Radio Authority approved the acquisition, but Nigel Griffiths, the Consumer Affairs Minister, referred the takeover to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission .

Absolute Radio's show started on 13 October 1997, the same day that Zoe Ball started as Evans' replacement on Radio 1.

From 5 October 1998, Virgin Absolute Radio started simulcasts of the breakfast show on Sky One each morning for an hour between 7.

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The last song to be played on Virgin Radio was "American Pie" by Don McLean and the first to be played on Absolute Radio was "A Day in the Life" by The Beatles.

Virgin Absolute Radio brand relaunched via DAB and online on 30 March 2016, following a new partnership with Wireless Group and approval of its digital terrestrial commercial radio licence by Ofcom in March 2015.

In March 2021, Ofcom approved Bauer's application for permission to alter the FM licence held by the London FM relay of Absolute Radio, enabling the frequency to be used to provide a London variant of GHR.

Absolute Radio will continue to be available by way of its national AM and digital transmissions.

On 14 July 2022, Absolute Radio launched Absolute Radio Premium where users can listen to the various stations without advert breaks and with the ability to skip a song.

From 2013 to 2014, Absolute Radio held UK radio rights to American football's National Football League.

In 2021, Absolute Radio commissioned its first scripted comedy series, Rockanory.

In February 2021 Bauer applied to Ofcom for permission to amend the FM broadcast licence to allow the frequency to be used for a London relay of Greatest Hits Radio; Absolute Radio will remain available in London through its retained national AM and digital outlets.

Virgin Absolute Radio was one of the first 20 radio stations which joined the Sky Digital service on 20 November 1999.

In 2001, Virgin Absolute Radio joined the Measurecast and Arbitron internet broadcasting measurement services.

In 2009, Absolute Radio started publishing its internet listening and download statistics.

Virgin Absolute Radio was among the first to explore the opportunities for delivering its services to mobile phones.

In 2009, Absolute Radio launched an application for the Apple iPhone and tagging for the Apple iPod Nano.

In 2010 applications were released for the Amazon Kindle, the Nokia Ovi Store, the BlackBerry and Windows Phone 7 and Absolute Radio was selected as a launch partner for the Apple iAd mobile advertising network.

In January 2014, Absolute Radio Network has restricted the access to the internet radio on their own website to UK listeners only, and removed their apps for iPhone and Android in non-UK app stores.

All 'Absolute Radio' branded channels broadcast online and via smartphone apps, with several transmitted over DAB and digital television platforms.

Richard Skinner, another previous DJ from the Virgin Absolute Radio days, returned to Golden Square to feature on this station.

Absolute Radio station launched on 4 December 2009 on DAB, Freesat, Sky, Virgin Media and the Internet which plays classic hits, and is aimed at "reluctant adults" who want to reconnect with the tunes of their youth.

Absolute Radio 90s launched on 21 June 2010 on DAB to a 13 million population in London, Essex, Wiltshire, Bristol, Berkshire and Bath.

Absolute Radio 00s launched on 10 December 2010, online and on DAB in London.

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Absolute Radio 10s launched on 18 November 2019 and operates online and on DAB in London.

Absolute Radio 20s launched on 24 February 2020 and operates solely online.

On DAB, the main Absolute Radio service carried "Rock 'n Roll Football", with Extra carrying match coverage.

Absolute Radio 40s was a pop-up station in May 2020, which celebrated the 75th anniversary of VE Day.