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Business News Deals Media
Bauer acquires Jazz FM
By Andy Malt | Published on Monday 20 August 2018
Bauer Media has announced a deal to acquire Jazz FM for an undisclosed sum. It will make the jazz outfit a sister station to the likes of Absolute, Planet Rock, Magic and Kiss.
Jazz FM has been independent since the brand was purchased for £1 from its previous owners GMG Radio and TLRC as part of a management buyout in 2009. GMG had previously relaunched the actual FM version of Jazz FM as a far less jazzy Smooth Radio, which it subsequently sold to Global. Jazz FM itself continued online and on various digital channels.
“Jazz FM is a much loved, respected and influential brand, with strong growth potential, we look forward to developing it further”, says Bauer CEO Paul Keenan. “Jazz music is seeing an unprecedented resurgence, and this extends us into an entirely new and complementary radio audience”.
“Jazz’s community of digitally savvy music lovers is thriving”, he continues. “I believe that Jazz FM’s expertise combined with our knowledge and experience in digital and personalised advertising technology such as Bauer’s InStream+ will propel the brand for both listeners and advertisers. We look forward to working with the team to grow the business”.
Jazz FM CEO Jonathan Arendt adds: “Jazz FM is a well-established and trusted brand, curated by passionate and expert presenters and producers – and I’m delighted that it will sit within the Bauer Radio family, where they are respectful and mindful of individual formats and listener groups”.
With a weekly audience of 672,000, Jazz FM broadcasts nationally via the Sound Digital DAB multiplex, which is co-owned by Bauer, Wireless and Arqiva.
