Greatest Hits Radio Bucks, Beds and Herts Goes Live
Mix 96 has officially rebranded as Greatest Hits Radio (Bucks, Beds and Herts), as part of the largest commercial radio network in the UK, and launched local content campaigns celebrating the voices and music of the region.
Greatest Hits Radio brings a promise of highly engaging radio for listeners and a scaled and deeply engaged audience for advertisers. Upbeat classic hits from the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s – the most popular music format in the UK – will be complemented by a team of loved and trusted broadcasters. The style of presentation, the passion for great music and the delight that the likes of Simon Mayo, Mark Goodier, Janice Long, Paul Gambaccini, and Pat Sharp take in creating great radio moments brings the warm personality of the brand to life.
Listeners to Greatest Hits Radio (Bucks, Beds and Herts) will be served news bulletins carrying locally gathered stories, local traffic bulletins and local information to reflect the interests of each market. For local advertisers, the move will provide significant scale and a broader range of advertising opportunities.
Greatest Hits Radio kicked off with a Top 500 countdown of the country’s most popular songs, ahead of new local content programmes to run over the autumn:
- ‘Cities of Sound’ – A weekly documentary series celebrating the musical heritage of towns, cities and regions across the UK, including Bucks, Beds and Herts
- ‘Loving Life Round Here’ – highlighting the best voices, music, culture, local beauty and business of Bucks, Beds and Herts
The station launched alongside a major marketing campaign across TV, print media, radio and digital and social platforms. Central to the campaign is the idea of ‘music bringing good times’ to our lives. It features some of Greatest Hits Radio’s favourite artists, including David Bowie, Tina Turner, Madonna, Queen and Bob Marley.
Greatest Hits Radio is also inviting applications for its ‘Getting Bucks, Beds & Herts Back to Work’ campaign to promote local job opportunities, both on-air and online. Local employers are encouraged to submit vacancies for inclusion, allowing them to reach a wide audience of local job-seekers free of charge. Job vacancy bulletins will be broadcast four times a day to local audiences and will be promoted on the Greatest Hits Radio Bucks, Beds and Herts website. Employers looking to participate in the scheme should email jobs@greatesthitsradio.co.uk for more information on how to apply.
As part of the relaunch, applications are also now open for local charities, workers, and businesses in the region to benefit from a package of local initiatives to support communities as they tackle Covid-19. Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire charities, hospices and other not-for-profit community organisations can apply for free advertising airtime to help them rebuild their fundraising base post-lockdown. Sales teams will be reaching out to organisations directly, and others looking to participate should contact the station directly at advertising@greatesthitsradio.co.uk.
Graham Bryce, Group Managing Director, Hits Radio Brand Network, comments, ‘We are excited about the role for Greatest Hits Bucks, Beds and Herts in giving local communities and listeners the music, content and local connections we know they value highly, as well as a platform for a future of digital listening. We are committed to retaining our local relationships and look forward to engaging closely with local listeners, businesses and charitable organisations as we launch our airtime initiatives.’
The Hits Radio Brand Network comprises:
- Hits Radio – delivering a music proposition which is a soundtrack of the biggest hits and nostalgic throwback tracks and local breakfast shows.
- Greatest Hits Radio – offering classic hits from the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s alongside regional drive time and networked breakfast shows.
- Country Hits Radio – playing the very best country pop music.