The Absolute Radio Network is a network of ten radio stations owned and operated by Bauer Media Audio UK (part of Bauer Radio). Bauer purchased the TIML Radio Limited network of stations in 2013. The network is aimed at 35 to 54 year olds. According to RAJAR, the network broadcasts to a combined weekly audience of 5.4 million with a listening share of 3.5% as of March 2024.
Background
The network's flagship station, Absolute Radio, was originally launched as Virgin Radio in April 1993, operating as one of three Independent National Radio franchises in the United Kingdom. It broadcast on AM radio from launch until January 2023, and on national DAB since 1999. The station was renamed Absolute Radio in 2008 following its acquisition by TIML Radio Limited. Most of the Absolute Radio stations are decade-themed services, alongside a classic rock station and a country-formatted station.
Current Stations
The network comprises the following ten stations:
- Absolute Radio – The core flagship station, broadcasting nationally across the UK via DAB.
- Absolute Radio 60s – Launched November 2011; covers 1960s music including British pop/rock and Motown.
- Absolute Radio 70s – Launched November 2011; plays a broad mix of rock, punk, glam, and soul from the 1970s.
- Absolute Radio 80s – Launched December 2009; dedicated to classic hits from the 1980s.
- Absolute Radio 90s – Launched June 2010; plays music from the 1990s.
- Absolute Radio 00s – Launched December 2010; covers music from the 2000s.
- Absolute Radio 10s – Launched November 2019; covers music from the 2010s.
- Absolute Radio 20s – Launched February 2020; covers music from the 2020s, operates solely online.
- Absolute Radio Classic Rock – Originally launched as Virgin Classic in 2000; plays classic rock music from the 1960s to the 1990s.
- Absolute Radio Country – Joined the network in May 2021, rebranded from Country Hits Radio; plays country music.
Network Programming
Since 2008, the network stations (with the exception of Absolute Radio 20s) utilise a 'split playlist' system. This syndicates presenter links from the weekday Dave Berry Breakfast Show and Hometime with Bush and Richie from the main Absolute Radio station, while replacing the music tracks with decade- or genre-appropriate selections chosen by the network database to match required length, mood, and tempo. Weekend morning programmes, The Frank Skinner Show (Saturday) and The Jason Manford Show (Sunday), are broadcast on a one-hour time delay across the digital siblings, again with music tracks replaced accordingly. Some thematic shows from the core Absolute Radio are simulcast onto relevant sibling stations.
Pop-up Stations
The network has periodically launched temporary pop-up stations, including Absolute Radio 40s (VE Day 75th anniversary, May 2020), Absolute Radio Noel (June 2021, celebrating Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds), and stations created through the "Absolute Radio You" competition: Absolute Radio Natalie (2022), Absolute Radio Kevin (2023), and Absolute Radio Sisters (2024).
Former Stations
Former stations that operated under the Virgin Radio or Absolute Radio brands include Absolute Radio Extra, Absolute Xtreme, dabbl, Liquid, Virgin 105.8, Virgin Radio Groove, and Virgin Radio Party Classics.
