Editing Absolute Radio (section)

== Sister stations ==
{{main|Absolute Radio sister stations}}
A number of subsidiary stations to Virgin Radio and Absolute Radio have been launched as online and [[digital radio]] services over recent years, many being established during the period when SMG plc was in charge of the station. The stations were collectively known as the '''Virgin Radio Network''' (now the '''Absolute Radio Network'''). All Absolute branded channels broadcast online and via smartphone apps, with several also transmitted over [[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]] and digital television platforms. The line-up of stations within the network has changed over time, and those currently on air are:

=== Absolute Radio Classic Rock ===
{{main|Absolute Radio Classic Rock}}
A radio station on DAB, Virgin Media, Sky and the internet playing [[classic rock]] from the 1960s to the 1990s. Launched as Virgin Radio Classic Rock in 2000 as part of SMG Radio's strategy to trade total network listening hours at a time when analogue listening hours had been falling. The service was rebranded as Absolute Radio Classic Rock in 2008.

=== Absolute Radio 60s ===
{{main|Absolute Radio 60s}}
Launched on 22 November 2011, Absolute 60s is the sixth radio station launched under the Absolute branding. The station is broadcast on DAB, some digital television networks, and online. The station has defined itself as "the home of the Beatles, Stones and Mo-Town". With [[The Beatles]] and [[The Rolling Stones]] as highlights of the station's broadcasts, it plays music originating from the 1960s. Pete Mitchell was the main daytime presenter, returning to Golden Square: he was last on Virgin Radio in 2005 hosting the Breakfast show with Geoff Lloyd.

=== Absolute Radio 70s ===
{{main|Absolute Radio 70s}}
Launched on 29 November 2011, Absolute 70s is the seventh radio station launched under the Absolute branding. The station is broadcast on DAB and online. With [[Rod Stewart]], [[David Bowie]] and [[Prince (musician)|Prince]] as highlights of the station's broadcast, it plays music originating from the 1970s. Richard Skinner, another previous DJ from the Virgin Radio days, returned to Golden Square to feature on this station.

=== Absolute Radio 80s ===
{{main|Absolute Radio 80s}}
A radio station launched on 4 December 2009 on DAB, Freesat, Sky, Virgin Media and the internet which plays [[classic hits]] and is aimed at "reluctant adults" who want to reconnect with the tunes of their youth.

=== Absolute Radio 90s ===
{{main|Absolute Radio 90s}}
Absolute Radio 90s launched on 21 June 2010 on DAB to a 13 million population in London, Essex, Wiltshire, Bristol, Berkshire and Bath. The station is also available on Sky 0201 and online via website and mobile [[smartphones]]. The first song to be played on the station was "[[Roll with It (Oasis song)|Roll with It]]" by [[Oasis (band)|Oasis]].

=== Absolute Radio 00s ===
{{main|Absolute Radio 00s}}
Absolute Radio 00s launched on 10 December 2010,<ref>{{cite news |title= Absolute Radio launches noughties-only station|first= John|last= Plunkett|url= https://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/nov/29/absolute-radio-noughties-station|newspaper= [[The Guardian]]|location= London|date= 29 November 2010|access-date=6 May 2011}}</ref> online and on DAB in London.<ref>{{Citation|title=DAB Ensembles Worldwide: London |url=http://www.wohnort.org/DAB/uknat.html#London2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723113442/http://www.wohnort.org/DAB/uknat.html |date=13 April 2011 |archive-date=23 July 2011 |access-date=6 May 2011 |url-status=live  }}</ref> After an internet poll, the first song played was "[[Mr. Brightside]]" by [[The Killers]].

=== Absolute Radio 10s ===
{{main|Absolute Radio 10s}}
Absolute Radio 10s launched on 18 November 2019 and operates online and on DAB in London.<ref>{{Cite web|first=Roy|last=Martin|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2019/11/bauer-to-launch-absolute-radio-10s-online-only/|title=Bauer to launch Absolute Radio 10s online|website=Radio Today|date=18 November 2019|access-date=19 November 2019}}</ref> The first song played by presenter Jay Lawrence was [[Bastille (band)|Bastille]] with "[[Pompeii (song)|Pompeii]]".

=== Absolute Radio 20s ===
{{main|Absolute Radio 20s}}
Absolute Radio 20s launched on 24 February 2020 and operates solely online.<ref>{{Cite web|first=Steve|last=Collins|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2020/02/bauers-paul-keenan-announces-absolute-radio-20s/|title=Bauer's Paul Keenan announces Absolute Radio 20s|website=Radio Today|date=20 February 2020|access-date=28 February 2020}}</ref> The first song played was "Instant History" by [[Biffy Clyro]].

=== Absolute Radio Country ===
{{main|Country Hits Radio}}
Absolute Radio Country previously launched as Country Hits Radio in 2019 before being rebranded on 17 May 2021. The first song to play after the relaunch was "[[Jolene (song)|Jolene]]" by [[Dolly Parton]]. In June 2022, an Absolute Radio Classic Country<ref>{{cite web | last = Colothan | first = Scott | title = Listen to our Absolute Radio Classic Country station on Absolute Radio Premium | date = 15 July 2022 | url = https://planetradio.co.uk/absolute-radio/music/news/absolute-radio-classic-country-premium/ | access-date =28 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Absolute Radio and KISS to launch premium subscription services | date=27 May 2022 | url=https://www.bauermedia.co.uk/news/absolute-radio-and-kiss-to-launch-premium-subscription-services | access-date=28 August 2022}}</ref> streaming service was added to their Absolute Radio Premium subscription package.

=== Absolute Radio Premium ===
Bauer launched a subscription streaming service for Absolute Radio and KISS,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2022/05/absolute-radio-and-kiss-to-offer-premium-services-for-monthly-fee/ | title=Absolute Radio and KISS to offer premium services for monthly fee | date=27 May 2022 }}</ref> which included five new advert-free radio services under the Absolute Radio brand, alongside the original ten Absolute Radio channels. Launching at the end of June 2022, the channels included 24/7 versions of ''Andy Bush's Indie Disco''<ref>{{cite web | last = Colothan | first = Scott | title = Listen to Andy Bush's Indie Disco 24/7 station on Absolute Radio Premium | date = 13 July 2022 | url = https://planetradio.co.uk/absolute-radio/music/news/andy-bush-indie-disco-247-absolute-radio-premium/ | access-date =28 August 2022}}</ref> programme and ''Haven't Heard It For Ages'' programme feature, and channels called Through The Decades, Absolute Radio Classic Country and Absolute Radio Acoustic.<ref>{{cite web | last1 = Naylor | first1 = Laura | last2 = Colothan | first2 = Scott | title = All the exclusive stations you get with Absolute Radio Premium | date = 14 July 2022 | url = https://planetradio.co.uk/absolute-radio/station/premium/absolute-radio-premium-stations/ | access-date =28 August 2022}}</ref> On 14 November 2022, three more stations were added to the service called Absolute Radio 50s, Absolute Radio Movies and Absolute Radio Terrace Anthems<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bauermedia.co.uk/news/dion-dublin-kicks-off-new-premium-station-absolute-radio-terrace-anthems/ | title=Dion Dublin kicks off new Premium station Absolute Radio Terrace Anthems | date=10 November 2022 }}</ref>

=== Absolute Radio You ===
This is a pop up service based around a competition, which gives the listener the chance to pitch a new service to Absolute with the winning entry appearing each February. The winning idea of the 2024 competition<ref>{{cite web | url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2024/02/absolute-radio-sisters-to-launch-after-two-sisters-win-latest-competition/ | title=Absolute Radio Sisters to launch after two sisters win latest competition | date=13 February 2024 }}</ref> came from Scottish sisters Rachael and Emma Hare, and is called Absolute Radio Sisters. The service, whose strapline is ‘Where Sibling Rivalry Matters’, plays a mixture of music from the 1990s and 2000s, and will be on air from 12 to 22 February 2024.<ref>{{cite web | last=Colothan | first=Scott | title=Listen to our new station Absolute Radio Sisters | website=Absolute Radio | date=12 February 2024 | url=https://planetradio.co.uk/absolute-radio/music/news/absolute-radio-sisters/ | access-date=20 February 2024}}</ref> This pop-up follows Absolute Radio Natalie in 2022 ‘Where sing-alongs matter’<ref>{{cite web | last=Westoby | first=Alice | title=Introducing our new station Absolute Radio Natalie | website=Absolute Radio | date=28 January 2022 | url=https://planetradio.co.uk/absolute-radio/music/news/absolute-radio-natalie-station/ | access-date=20 February 2024}}</ref> and Absolute Radio Kevin, which played debut singles and tracks from debut albums in 2023<ref>{{cite web | last=Colothan | first=Scott | title=Listen to our new station Absolute Radio Kevin | website=Absolute Radio | date=7 February 2023 | url=https://planetradio.co.uk/absolute-radio/music/news/listen-absolute-radio-kevin/ | access-date=20 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bauermedia.co.uk/news/absolute-radio-kevin-how-a-dad-from-surrey-has-claimed-his-own-radio-station/ | title=Absolute Radio Kevin: How a dad from Surrey has claimed his own radio station | date=2 February 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2023/02/introducing-absolute-radio-kevin-where-debut-songs-matter/ | title=Introducing Absolute Radio Kevin – Where Debut Songs Matter | date=2 February 2023 }}</ref>

=== Absolute Radio Calm ===
This pop up station was launched on 13 May 2024 during Mental Health Awareness Week and will be available for two weeks. It features calming sounds rather than music. It is available on the Absolute Radio app and on smart speakers.