 | |
| Broadcast area | London |
|---|---|
| Programming | |
| Format | Rock,Alternative rock |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Bauer Verlagsgruppe |
| History | |
First air date | 2 June 2008 |
Last air date | 7 May 2013 |
| Links | |
| Website | www.qthemusic.com/qradio |
Q Radio was a Britishdigital radio station broadcastingonline, onDAB andDTV across the UK. The station launched in 2008 as an alternative to the UK's rock and alternative stations, with a strong relationship withQ magazine.[1] The station formed part of theBauer Passion Portfolio. Coinciding with the launch ofKiss spin-off stationsKisstory andKiss Fresh, Q Radio closed in 2013.[2]
After running for several years as an online digital jukebox, former controller ofBBC 6 Music andCapital Radio, andTop of the Pops executive producerRic Blaxill was recruited to form a full station.
Q Radio launched onDAB in London on 2 June 2008 with a full schedule including Samanthi (formerly of XFM and BBC2's "Desi DNA") and comedian and 2008If.comeddies nomineeRussell Kane. Co-founder ofAcid Jazz recordsEddie Piller also presented a weekly show and musicianBilly Bragg presented a monthly programme.
The station launched with aColdplay interview with Samanthi on QPM, whereChris Martin revealed that the band planned to release sessions withKylie Minogue.[3] Other guests in interview and sessions between June 2008 to March 2009 includedLily Allen,Kim Deal,Jane Birkin,Pete Shelley,The Futureheads,The Young Knives,White Lies,Ladyhawke andWe Are Scientists. The first song played live on the station was Rocks byPrimal Scream.
The station relaunched in April 2009 with a new playlist and all-new line-up. It moved toKerrang! Radio's headquarters in Birmingham, West Midlands and was run by Kerrang! Radio's programming team. The playlist itself was managed by James Walshe and Loz Guest, both of whom also ran the playlist atKerrang! Radio.
In May 2009, the station was removed from Virgin Media and Sky, along withThe Hits Radio,Heat Radio,Smash Hits Radio andKerrang! Radio.[4]
In May 2010, it was taken off DAB. Although cost of carriage on DAB was suspected, the reason given by Bauer Media was: "At this stage of its development, it has become clear that Q Radio is best served by having national coverage on Freeview and online."[5]
Coinciding with the launch ofKiss spin-off stationsKisstory andKissFresh, Q Radio closed on 7 May 2013.[2]