by Ben Lawrence

Bauer Media buys Absolute Radio in deal worth up to £25 million

UK radio station changes hands again

 

Bauer Media buys Absolute Radio in deal worth up to £25 million

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Bauer Media has recently bought up UK radio station Absolute Radio in a deal believed to be worth up to £25million.

Absolute Radio began life as Virgin Radio and has changed ownership several times during it's lifetime. Virgin Radio was owned by The Times Group who changed its name to Absolute Radio but have now sold it to Bauer Media for somewhere in the region of £20-25 Million.

The Times Group originally put the company on sale in 2011, and having purchased Virgin Radio for about £53 million have made a loss of more than 50% in the recent sale. The radio station employs many DJs and presenters, big names include Frank Skinner, Ian Wright and Ronny Wood.

Chief Executive of Absolute Radio, Donnach O'Driscoll commented that brand will continue to thrive as part of Bauer Group. He adds "Bauer Media UK is a business that really cares about building famous media and entertainment brands and music radio in particular."

 Check out Beady Eye playing a live session for Absolute Radio:

Bauer Media owns music publications Q and Kerrang! (as well as the TV and Radio stations) and shares ownership of Box Television with Channel 4. The media group reportedly already owns a 26.5% share of the commercial radio market in the UK, popular stations Kiss and Magic are already ownded by Bauer Media.

CE of Bauer Media's UK branch, Paul Keenan mentioned that he had a great deal of respect for what the radio station had 'already acheived'. He continued that the company is excited about welcoming the 'contemporary music radio business' with Bauer's 'renowned digital assets.'

Absolute Radio has traditionally played largely guitar driven rock music, whether this will change remains to be seen. Although the purchase has been made public, it is still awaiting regulatory approval.

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