Company which owns Trax FM and Rother FM announces closure of some radio stations

A rebranding of South Yorkshire radio stations is due to go ahead as Covid-19 puts pressure on the radio industry.
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Bauer Media who own Trax FM and Rother FM are planning to close down 10 radio stations across the country as well as rebranding 40 others, as part of a company restructure.

Both South Yorkshire titles will now be known as Greatest Hits Radio.

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Dee Ford CBE, Group Managing Director Radio, Bauer Radio, said: “Audiences love and trust radio.

Radio station.Radio station.
Radio station.

“Expanding the Hits Radio Brand Network will ensure listeners to these acquired stations benefit from multi-platform digital distribution meaning they can continue to broadcast in an increasingly competitive, digital, and voice-activated world.

“This ensures the provision of local news and information, traffic and travel as well as access for advertisers to highly valued audiences.”

Other titles joining the Greatest Hits Radio brand include Yorkshire Coast Radio in Bridlington, Ridings FM in Wakefield, and Compass FM in Grimsby.

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This news has arisen a week after the publisher has been in talks to sell 10 of its titles as the company said that they would no longer be sustainable post Covid-19.

Titles include Planet Rock, Golf World, and Sea Angler.

Some of the radio stations which will be axed include Encore, Suffolk First, Eagle 80’s and Escape to Cornwall.

Graham Bryce, Group Managing Director – Hits Radio Network Brand, said: “We are committed to ensuring the future of radio in local markets and serving the needs of our listeners and advertisers.

“However, our top priority right now will be to support those affected through this period.”

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