Ballyhalbert blog on Absolute Radio

Absolute Radio to buy BBC 6 Music?

Ballyhalbert — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 15:01:39 +0000

Reacting to today’s news about the possibility of 6 Music being closed in a BBC strategic review, the Chief Operating Officer of Absolute Radio has said he would buy 6 Music and operate it better under commercial ownership.

Absolute has twice the audience of the BBC station but a significantly smaller budget.

Speaking to Radio Today, Clive said: “We share a similar ethos to 6 Music – a passion for music discovery, comedy and live music. We know there’s an audience out there for more engaging radio programmes, like Frank Skinner, Dave Gorman or Lauren Laverne.

A more efficiently run 6 Music could retain its current programming and sit perfectly in Absolute’s stable of stations, alongside Absolute Classic Rock, Absolute ‘80s and dabbl.”

Industry experts have told The Times that they believe the station could fetch £2million – £3million, if the BBC was willing to sell.

Listeners of 6 Music have rallied round the station with a Facebook group gaining in members to save the station. On Twitter earlier today, Lauren Laverne said: "Looks like I’m joining that facebook group then. Boo, boo and thrice boo. That is all. Sad."

On the 6 Music breakfast show, presenter Shaun Keaveny said on air: "First of all, massive thanks to everyone who has shown their support, it’s literally choking us up. We hope it isn’t true, of course.

http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.5671

Absolute Radio Wins Football Rights

Ballyhalbert — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 10:26:39 +0000

Absolute Radio is to broadcast live Premier League football commentary for the first time, breaking the BBC and TalkSport's grip on the rights.

The station will broadcast 32 Premier League games at 3pm on Saturday afternoons, MediaGuardian.co.uk can reveal. The three-year deal begins in August this year with the start of the 2010-2011 season.

Absolute has picked up one of three Saturday afternoon rights packages being offered by the Premier League. It has secured the "second pick" of matches.

Currently Saturday afternoon games are divided into two rights packages, with BBC Radio 5 Live taking first pick, and UTV-owned TalkSport the second.

The Absolute Radio chief operating officer, Clive Dickens, said "Absolute Radio is a music and entertainment brand with audio as its core."

"Football is an obvious extension of our entertainment offering. We have a solid presenter lineup including world-class comedic talent Frank Skinner and Dave Gorman, an unprecedented support of live music and now this new exclusive football offering. It is a compelling mix," Dickens added.

Richard Masters, the Premier League director of sales and marketing, said: "We welcome Absolute Radio as a new radio broadcast partner for Barclays Premier League football. We are confident that they will provide an excellent service for our clubs' fans and help us reach as wide an audience as possible."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/feb/11/absolute-radio-premier-league-commentary

Happy Birthday Leona Graham

Ballyhalbert — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:20:05 +0000

The Queen of Rock Leona Graham is celebrating her birthday today. Join me in wishing her a very Happy Birthday.

Alternatively you can log onto her VIP Profile:

http://www.absoluteradio.co.uk/vip/profile/LeonaGrahamDJ/

Jonathan Ross

Ballyhalbert — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 10:35:42 +0000

Breaking News just announced on the telly: Jonathan Ross is to leave the BBC.

Is this a good move or a bad one?

Sarah Champion Leaves Absolute Radio

Ballyhalbert — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 23:33:04 +0000

Sometimes it is with heavy heart and great regret that we announce someone’s departure. Sometimes it is clearly an opportunity that can’t be missed and we wave people off with all of our love and best wishes. On this occasion, we’re talking very much about the latter.

After more than 4 years at Golden Square and after presenting almost every show on the schedule, Sarah Champion is heading off to try her luck in LA with her ‘other half’ Lee. She’s got an agent over there and is moving over for a few months to see whether she can crack LA LA land. You don’t need me to tell you about Sarah’s professionalism both on and off-air, you’ve heard the shows and been at the events she’s hosted, such as Rock Trivia. For many of us, it’s been at festivals where we’ve really seen Sarah at her best. She’s done hundreds of interviews and will be remembered for her abilities as a journalist and also for making wellies look like the ultimate fashion accessory… she has certainly proved to be a hit with many of our male listeners (if you look at the webcam stats!).

Sarah has told me that if it doesn’t work out, in the words of California’s Governor ‘I’ll be back’. I’m sure you’ll agree they’d be stupid to turn her down. But, if she does return sooner than expected, we look forward to seeing her at Golden Square again.

I’m sure there’ll be some form of beverage consumption to be had between now and the middle of January, but feel free to send her an ultra-festive message of congratulation.

http://onegoldensquare.com/

Taking a Break

Ballyhalbert — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 09:31:30 +0000

Sadly I won't be around much in the VIP Community for a few weeks - I'm currently working on a local community radio station for the month of December (well - until Christmas Eve).

I'll be doing everything from answering the telephones to producing and presenting. It's great fun, good craic and quite enjoyable.

Oh... and Santa's Grotto is beside the studio in the Shopping Centre. I will have to make a point of getting my photo taken with him! LOL.

Jo Russell

Ballyhalbert — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:32:03 +0000

Former Trent FM and Absolute Radio presenter Jo Russell has been hired for the flagship breakfast show on the new BRMB.

The station, which is currently under construction, recently let Elliott Webb go from the peak show after nine years.

David Lloyd, Group Programme and Marketing Director for BRMB owner Orion Media says: "Jo is, without any doubt, one of the UK’s leading broadcasters and we are delighted that she has agreed to join us. Waking up in Birmingham to Jo will be quite special – and certainly worth checking out later this year. Jo’s arrival is yet another plank in our strategy to restore BRMB to its former glory as one of the UK’s most entertaining radio stations".

Jo has won dozens of awards whilst at Trent FM with co-host Twiggy including the best breakfast show at the Sony Radio Academy Awards 2008. She starts on December 7th.

http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.5386

Tim Shaw leaves Absolute Radio

Ballyhalbert — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:12:06 +0000

Tim Shaw is to leave Absolute Radio, becoming the third DJ to join and then leave the rock music station since it rebranded from Virgin Radio just over a year ago.

Shaw, who presented the late night show on Friday and Saturday, is leaving to prepare for the "biggest challenge of his life", according to the station, which has seen its audience plummet since its relaunch in September last year.

"Tim has decided to take time away from Absolute Radio to prepare for the biggest challenge of his life, an event which Absolute Radio will be involved in – with more details to follow soon," a statement on the station's One Golden Square blog said.

He becomes the third of the station's new DJ lineup to part company with Absolute this year.

Jo Russell, whose departure was announced in September, presented the early weekday breakfast show and weekend morning show. She joined last year from the Nottingham station Trent FM.

The late-night presenter Allan Lake had his contract terminated by the station after Ofcom, the media regulator, ruled that he had breached broadcasting regulations with repeated references to a so-called "electronic cigarette" that helped people give up smoking.

Absolute Radio had a total audience of 1.59 million listeners in the third quarter of this year, according to the latest Rajar figures, compared with 2.3 million in the six months to the end of September last year, when it was still known as Virgin Radio and reported its audience on a six-monthly basis.

The station, which was bought by the Times of India Group from SMG for £53.2m last year, announced last month that it would become the first commercial broadcaster to publish regular figures on online listening hours.

As well as breakfast presenter Christian O'Connell and drivetime host Geoff Lloyd, its DJ line-up includes weekend presenters Frank Skinner and Dave Gorman.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/nov/17/tim-shaw-leave-absolute-radio

Goodbye Absolute Xtreme

Ballyhalbert — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:13:11 +0000

Absolute Radio is ditching Absolute Xtreme and launching an 80s station - Absolute 80s.

Xtreme, which launched in 2005 as Virgin Radio Xtreme, competes with Xfm, NME and Kerrang playing new rock music.

Xtreme currently broadcasts on DAB in London but will disappear in December when a new non-stop music station launches, playing nothing but songs from the 1980s.

Programming previously offered by Absolute Xtreme will morph into the station’s newly launched dabbl offering. The station will fine-tune it’s music policy to include new music, live music and tracks from the 90s and Noughties, and will air 24 hours a day in London and along the M4 corridor.

Absolute's chief operating officer, Clive Dickens, told Media Guardian about the potential audience for Absolute 80s: "These are people who have responsibilities, are members of families but still want to participate and have fun and be involved in music. A huge chunk of our audience grew up in the 80s."

http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.5330

Sunday Schedule

Ballyhalbert — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 23:58:23 +0100

I never thought I would find myself losing interest in a great radio station such as Absolute Radio but tonight I have found myself doing just that. Looking at the new Sunday schedule which is :-

5.00 Christian Choice Cuts - Highlight from the Breakfast Show.

8.00 Absolute Extreme with Geoff (for a number of reasons this programme is pre-recorded).

10.00 Frank Skinner - Highlights of Frank Skinner's Show

11.00 Dave Gorman - Highlights of Dave Gorman's Show

00.00 Iain Lee - Highlights of the Iain Lee show.

Basically, after Leona finishes her Sunday Rock programme, Absolute Radio goes into a sot of automation mode (albeit with producers in the studio keeping an eye on things). Sadly this automation doesn't interest me and I find myself switching off at 5.00pm when Leona finishes.

I would be interested in knowing what other Absolute Radio VIP listeners think.

Boyzone singer Stephen Gately Dies aged 33

Ballyhalbert — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 12:41:09 +0100

Boyzone singer Stephen Gately has been found dead at the age of 33. He died on Saturday while on holiday in Majorca.

Spanish police said there were no signs of suspicious circumstances but that the cause of death was not yet known.

Gately was on holiday with his long-term partner Andy Cowles. A statement from the singer's bandmates said they were "devastated" at the news.

They are expected to travel to Majorca. The Irish band had six UK number one hits in the 1990s and reformed in 2007.

The band's statement said: "Ronan, Keith, Mikey and Shane are devastated by the news and send their deepest sympathies to Stephen's family and his many friends all over the world."

Police said they were called to a house near Port d'Andratx on the western tip of the island on Saturday afternoon.

"At the moment it is not known how he died," the police spokesman said. "There are no signs of suspicious circumstances."

Boyzone manager Louis Walsh, who is due to appear as a judge on The X Factor results show on Sunday, told the News of the World newspaper: "We're all absolutely devastated."

He said: "I'm in complete shock. I was only with him on Monday at an awards ceremony. We don't know much about what's happened yet.

"I only heard after The X Factor and we will rally around each other this week. He was a great man."

Bertie Ahern, former Irish Taoiseach, described Gately as a personal friend and his death as a "huge, huge tragedy" for Irish music and culture.

Singer Sir Elton John said: "David and I are stunned by this tragedy. Stephen was the kindest, gentlest soul.

"We send our love and condolences to his partner Andy and to all his friends everywhere."

Writing on the micro-blogging website Twitter, broadcaster Stephen Fry said: "Just heard the very sad news about dear Stephen Gately.

"What a dreadful shock. He was loveable and sweet-natured and will be hugely missed."

Music journalist Paul Gambaccini said: "It's sad on a personal level and a professional level."

Boyzone sold more singles than Take That in the 1990s, he said, and had 16 Top 5 singles.

Going solo

A year before Boyzone split, Gately revealed that he was gay and had a boyfriend.

He later held a private civil partnership ceremony in London in 2006.

After Boyzone, Gately continued his career as a solo artist, but was dropped by Polydor in 2001 after three top 20 singles.

He enjoyed further success performing in musicals, including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 2003-04.

Gately also appeared in 2007 on ITV1's reality series Dancing on Ice, and was voted Hero of 1999 at the Smash Hits Poll Winners' Party.

His last message on Twitter, posted on 6 October, said: "Still busy - lots going on. Focussing on finishing my book next so may be quiet here."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8301187.stm

Birthday Party - 10th October 2009

Ballyhalbert — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 14:20:23 +0100

I've decided that as it's my birthday today I'm gonna party in the Absolute Radio Zoo and drink it dry. Anyone want to join me? You can also bring yer own drink as well. The more the merrier lol

Absolute Radio gets 6 Nominations

Ballyhalbert — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:30:43 +0100

The nominations for this year’s NDL Group / Radio Academy Promotions and Marketing Awards have just been announced, and we’re pleased to report that we’ve received 6 nominations. That’s more than any other station!

Congratulations to everybody involved – particularly in our promotions, sponsorship and production teams.

http://onegoldensquare.com/2009/09/absolute-radio-gets-6-nominations/

David Tennant on Absolute Radio

Ballyhalbert — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:31:13 +0100

Joining Christian at breakfast in November.

Introducing the latest addition to the Absolute Radio line-up, Doctor Who.

We're very excited to announce that David Tennant will be presenting a run of breakfast shows with Christian O'Connell this autumn. Our favourite star of Saturday teatime told The OC that he wasn’t interested in simply coming in for an hour here or there, he wanted to do the full 6am to 10am.

In fact David's said he wants to beat Christian in for the pre-show scrum at 5:15 and fire his own ideas into the pot, which at the very least means that we’ll be spared the Nickname Game and Doc Hollywood for a few days.

Will The OC be upstaged, will veteran Absolute Radio security guard Martin be able to cope with a Golden Square full of David's adoring fans and will the two hosts still be friends at the end of the week? We'll find out in November.

http://www.absoluteradio.co.uk/djs_shows/djs/tennant.html

Martin Collins

Ballyhalbert — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 23:48:09 +0100

Martin Collins has been appointed as the permanent host of the weekend breakfast show on Magic 105.4 in London.

Martin, who has been covering the show for the last few weeks, will be on-air every Saturday and Sunday from 6am till 10am. He will also be presenting shows across daytime output.

The ex-Chiltern Radio presenter was most recently covering the late show on the One Network and various programmes on Absolute Radio. His last full time show was drivetime at Smooth Radio in London, which he left in December 2008.

Programme director at Magic 105.4 Pete Simmons said: “We are very pleased to welcome someone of Martin’s radio legend status onto Magic 105.4. Other London stations are continually approaching Magic presenters and many presenters from top stations ask to work here, and in Martin I think we have found a great blend of true talent and experience.”

Martin added: “I’m very excited to be joining Magic 105.4. Magic is a very respected radio station in the capital, and it is fantastic to be part of a great team. I’m looking forward to getting stuck in, and even to the early mornings!”

http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.5159