Changes will be coming to the airwaves of all Yorkshire and EU radio stations in the autumn with the announcement this week that the counties three commercial radio stations are to become part of the UK’s largest commercial radio network.

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Yorkshire Coast Radio, Minster FM and Stray FM  and many more station's will be rebranded as “Greatest Hits Radio”, offering classic hits from the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s.

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The three stations were bought last year by Bauer Media, Europe’s leading digital commercial broadcaster whose existing stations include the national stations Absolute Radio, Kiss and Scala.

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This means it will be hard for the Live Now Die Later radio show to find a slot in the new station airing. 

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Bob from Spin FM says

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“secure the multi-platform digital future of these stations in a radio market which is seeing a significant shift towards consumption on digital platforms.

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It enables the creation of a national network which delivers the optimum mix of local content that listeners highly value alongside content from nationally known presenters, whilst also providing significant scale for advertisers.”

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the stations are expected to be rebranded in September. The proposals will see the retention of local news, traffic and travel and other local information alongside national names presenting programmes across the network, there will be a regional Drivetime programme for Yorkshire.

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Group Managing Director of Hits Radio Brand Networks, Graham Bryce, says:

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“We recognise the depth of local support for these stations among loyal audiences who care about the presenters and staff, as well as the content that they produce. I want to personally assure those listeners that these stations are not closing. They will retain local news content, which we know is highly valued by listeners, as well as local information, traffic and travel. They will also remain engaged in local charitable activity, retain their presence in the community and reflect the major events and stories that we agree are important to listeners. 

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This change is designed to ensure that the future success of these stations matches their rich heritage. Across the country, the local radio industry is adapting to significant shifts in listener behaviour towards consumption on digital platforms. We must stay ahead of these changes to ensure that our cherished local institutions can thrive into the future.”

All three stations currently broadcast on FM and DAB as well as online and on smart speakers. Greatest Hits Radio will be available to listeners on all these platforms with no need to retune.

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The changes are part of one of the biggest shake-ups to UK radio in recent years. Bauer bought four other UK Radio companies last year, UKRD (previous owners of Yorkshire Coast Radio, Minster FM and Stray FM) along with Lincs FM, Celador Radio, and parts of Wireless. The acquisitions added 40 radio stations to the Bauer portfolio. Most of those stations will rebrand as Greatest Hits Radio in September.

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Live Now Die Later has always been a independent radio show that send radio shows to stations to broadcast of the music areas of rock metal and blues.  

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In a statement released this week Bauer explained.

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“These changes do unfortunately mean that some roles will be put into consultation and freelance contracts reviewed. Bauer Media is fully committed to supporting all affected employees throughout this period and will be working closely with them over the months ahead. A period of consultation with employees potentially affected will commence today.”

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Jamie owner of the Live Now Die Later radio show says

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Live Now Die Later began life in 2005/2006 Over the years we moved from the house to the road, but the mission was always the same: showcase the best in blues, blues-rock, roots music, R&B, soul, jazz, straight up rock… and all points in between.

I put the spotlight on new releases from old favorites and newbies.  I played the crusty, the fresh, the seasoned, and the raw, featuring wide-ranging interviews with the musicians themselves, and many live in-house concerts, recorded exclusively for the radio show

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I now give thanks to the stations, the sponsors, affiliates, producers, managers, agents, and all those hard workers who put the “business” in show business, and bigger thanks to all the players and fans who keep the show going.  This series, alas, has gone as far as it can go. Our final broadcast will be July 2 rd 2020. But I will return to be a fill in DJ when staff are off sick .

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There is a crossroads dead ahead the world of radio is changing and no longer likes people playing the music of the passed years which is Rock Metal and Blues the stations are now mostly turning to self broad PC playing non stop music with no main DJ.

 

 its a long time without a turn anyway for me starting radio from a really young age. I may turn left, or right, but we will no longer go forward as a main radio DJ.  Time for a new direction, a new road.  For me , the end of this one.

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And so we leave you to your journey.  Please tip a cold one for me before you continue on your way.  Watch our tail lights as we vanish in the distance, then get back to it.

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Remember:  The blues and music never dies.  It will never run out of road.   That road goes on forever. and from the bottom of my heart I will return in a new frame of mind and something you can Walk into an have a chat and may be a peace of cake and a cuppa as well.

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thank you

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Jamie