Absolute Radio Network
The Absolute Radio Network is a network of ten radio stations owned and operated by Bauer Radio. Bauer purchased the TIML Radio Limited network of stations in 2013. Most of the Absolute Radio stations are decade-themed services, alongside the flagship station and classic rock and country-formatted stations. The network is aimed at 35 to 54 year olds.[1]
According to RAJAR, the network broadcasts to a combined weekly audience of 5.2 million with a listening share of 3.6% as of December 2023.
Network programming[edit]
Beginning in 2008,[2] the Absolute Radio Network stations (with the exception of 20s) utilise a 'split playlist' solution developed at Absolute Radio to syndicate the presenter links of the weekday Dave Berry Breakfast Show and, since 23 September 2019, Hometime with Bush and Richie from the main Absolute Radio station, with their music tracks replaced by those relevant to each station, chosen by the network database to match the 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 (airing from 8am on Absolute Radio and from 9am on the digital siblings), again with music tracks replaced by relevant music for each service - with the exception of Absolute Radio Country which does not share weekend morning programming.
Some thematic shows from the core Absolute Radio are simulcast onto a relevant sibling: 80s Greatest Hits on Friday evening is simulcast on Absolute 80s, Classic Rock Party on Saturday evenings is relayed on Absolute Classic Rock, and the first two hours of Andy Bush's Indie Disco on Saturday evening are transmitted on both Absolute Radio and Absolute Radio 90s, continuing on the 90s station only for a further two hours thereafter.
At other times, the digital stations broadcast their own dedicated programming, or non-stop music.