TheUKRD Group Ltdwas a British media company that owned 15 commercialradio stationsin the United Kingdom. The name originates fromUK Radio Developments.Since its acquisition in March 2019, it has been run as a subsidiary ofBauer Radio.
 | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Broadcasting |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Defunct | 2020 |
| Headquarters | Redruth, Cornwall,UK |
| Products | Local radio |
| Owner | Bauer Radio |
| Website | www |
History
editFormed on 22 August 1990 as a company to invest in commercial stations following the relaxation of station ownership laws, its first investment was a stake inCornwall'sPirate FM 102,which was designed and launched by formerCounty SoundbossMike Powellwho, after leaving County Sound, had formed Infinity Radio. Shortly after the launch, Infinity Radio merged with UK Radio Developments and Powell became CEO of the embryonic UKRD Group. Under Powell's leadership, UKRD became one of the fastest growing private radio groups in the UK, rapidly addingStar FMin Slough and winning theGuildfordradio franchise which gave birth to96.4 The Eagle,the new County Sound (a recreation of the original Guildford commercial station of the same name) andDelta Radio.Subsequently, it acquired several more stations, and launched further stations on the issue of new local licences.
UKRD acquired a significant minority share-holding inFaze FM,which ranKiss 102inManchesterandKiss 105inYorkshire.The stations had a branding deal withEMAP'sKiss FM, London.UKRD sold its interests in the Kiss stations in 1997 to theChrysalis Group,who added them to itsGalaxy Radionetwork. It also had a helping hand in the launch ofSouth Hams Radioin December 1999, which was closed in 2009 to make way for Heart.
From 2001, the head of the organisation was William Rogers, one-time leader ofPenwithDistrict Council, Cornwall.
UKRD Group's head office was within theCarn BreaStudios ofPirate FM 102inRedruth,Cornwall. It also had offices inGuildford,ExeterandBristol.
In 2009, it acquiredThe Local Radio Companywhich had 20 local radio stations.[1]UKRD disposed of many non-profitable stations, as well as re-brandingAlpha Radio,Minster NorthallertonandDurham FMintoStar Radio North East.
In 2010, UKRD was ranked 27th in theSunday TimesBest Companies to Work For (SMEs) and was ranked first in the same category every year between 2011 and 2014.
In July 2018,Globalannounced it had bought 2BR from UKRD.[2]The station was previously merged withThe Bee.
In March 2019,Bauer Radioacquired 10 stations from UKRD as well as three local DAB multiplexes and the interest in First Radio Sales[3]
Stations previously owned by UKRD Group
editPrior to their sale toBauer Radio,UKRD owned the following stations:
- 2BR Radio2BR
- Eagle Radio
- Eagle 70s
- Eagle 80s
- Encore Radio[4]
- Escape to Cornwall
- KL.FM 96.7
- Minster FM
- Mix 96
- Pirate FM
- Pirate 70s
- Spire FM
- Spirit FM
- Stray FM
- Wessex FM
- Yorkshire Coast Radio
Crowdfunded local 'replacements' for former UKRD Group stations
editAs most of the UKRD Group stations were rebranded under the Greatest Hits Radio brand by Bauer Radio, a number of schemes were launched to establish local radio 'replacements' for these services, many of which featured the same staff/presenters as the UKRD stations and many of which were set up through crowdfunding schemes. InSussex,V2 Radiowas set up to fill the gap vacated by Spirit FM, with test transmissions starting in West Sussex in December 2020, and the new service launching fully on 18 January 2021.[5][6][7][8]InYork,YorkMix Radiolaunched with former presenters from Minster FM on air, after a successful crowdfunding scheme to get local radio back on air,[9][10]whilst in theAldershotandWokingarea, Radio Biscuit could be found with presenters from Eagle Radio.[11]and Your Harrogate Radio is scheduled to launch on 1 March.[12]
References
edit
- ^Sweney, Mark (14 May 2009)."UKRD wins battle with Hallwood for Local Radio Company".The Guardian.Retrieved17 October2022.
- ^Global expands in Lancashire after buying 2BR,RadioToday, 31 July 2018
- ^Press Release
- ^"About Encore Radio".Encore Radio.Retrieved8 November2017.
- ^"V2 Radio - The Spirit of the South".
- ^"How to listen to V2 Radio".
- ^"V2 Radio launches test transmissions in West Sussex".11 December 2020.
- ^"Launch date set for Spirit FM replacement V2 Radio".13 January 2021.
- ^"YorkMix Radio launches with former Minster presenters".4 January 2021.
- ^"York news - latest news, things to do, entertainment and whats on in York".
- ^"Former Eagle presenters join Radio Biscuit on DAB".4 December 2020.
- ^"Harrogate website to launch local radio station".14 January 2021.Retrieved15 January2021.