Absolute Radio 70s
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| Frequency | DAB: 12A (Greater London) Sky Channel 0188 |
|---|---|
| First air date | 29 November 2011 |
| Format | Non-stop music from the 1970s |
| Audience share | 0.1% (December 2012, [1]) |
| Owner | Bauer Radio |
| Sister stations | Absolute Radio Absolute Classic Rock Absolute Radio 60s Absolute 80s Absolute Radio 90s Absolute Radio 00s Absolute Radio Extra |
| Website | www |
Absolute Radio 70s is a British radio station dedicated to music from the 1970s. Launched by Absolute Radio to complement their decade format radio stations, it first aired on 29 November 2011, debuting a week after Absolute Radio 60s. The station broadcasts through DAB on the Digital One multiplex in the Greater London area, and is also available online, where it can be accessed using Radioplayer. Absolute Radio 70s went on air in November 2011, and was the first UK radio station to be dedicated solely to music from the decade, but it was followed a month later by the similarly themed Smooth 70s, which launched nationally on the DAB multiplex.
History
Details of Absolute Radio's plan to extend their decade-themed radio stations were released in October 2010, and following the success of Absolute 80s and Absolute Radio 90s, the former of which was ranked eleventh in terms of listener numbers.[1] Two new stations were announced, Absolute Radio 60s and Absolute Radio 70s, both of which would be dedicated to the music of their respective decades. Initially the 70s station would be available on DAB in London only, but would be accessible nationally and internationally through an online service. A website holding page was opened at absoluteradio70s.co.uk in line with the announcement of the station, which carries station information and an indicative schedule. The 60s service went on air on 22 November 2011, with Absolute Radio 70s launching a week later on 29 November.[2]
Absolute Radio 70s shares the DAB slot currently used by Absolute Radio 00s, with 00s cutting its broadcast capacity (and switching to broadcast in mono) to release space for the 70s service.[3]
At the time of its launch Absolute Radio 70s branded itself as "The UK's only 70s radio station", but was joined on DAB within a few weeks by Smooth 70s, a similarly themed station from GMG Radio which was launched nationally on DAB on 27 December 2011.[4] However, in spite of its competitor, Absolute 70s continued to style itself as the UK's only 1970s-themed radio station.[5][6] Smooth 70s subsequently ceased transmission on 6 October 2013, and its national frequency was taken over by Capital XTRA.
Format
Although a separate entity, Absolute Radio 70s takes a limited amount of programming from the main Absolute Radio station, chiefly The Christian O'Connell Breakfast Show and The Frank Skinner Show. The station itself was fronted by former Radio 1 presenter Richard Skinner, who presents an afternoon programme. Absolute 70s plays a broad mix of music from the 1970s, ranging from rock and punk to glam and soul. Artists and groups typically heard on the station include David Bowie, Kate Bush, Elton John and Blondie.[2][7]
Distribution
The station's DAB transmission has always been solely to London, and the 70s station was not affected by the December 2014/January 2015 changes which impacted many of Absolute's other digital transmissions.
Absolute Radio 70s has been made available more widely through online transmission via Absolute's website and apps, where it appears alongside the other Absolute network stations.
The 70s service was made available nationally via digital satellite television from 9 February 2015 when the station took over a Sky guide slot previously occupied by Insight Radio; it joins Absolute's 80s, 90s and Classic Rock stations on the Sky lineup. Although Absolute Radio 70s is not guide-listed on Freesat, it can be manually tuned into by Freesat boxes.
References
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