HAMBURG (CelebrityAccess) — European media conglomerate Bauer Media Group announced plans to acquire Jazz FM – the UK’s leading national commercial radio service for jazz, soul and blues.
The acquisition of the broadcaster, which has a weekly audience of about 670,000, will be the first jazz station for Bauer Media’s portfolio, which already includes a wide range of pop, urban, and rock stations.
The Jazz radio business will be managed by Bauer’s Steve Parkinson, Group Managing Director of National Radio.
Based in Hamburg, Bauer Media’s portfolio includes more than 600 magazines, including music publications such as Kerrang! and Q. Their radio broadcast operations include KISS FM UK and Magic, and regional radio brands across major UK cities. In 2013, Bauer Media also acquired the Absolute Radio Group from Times of India.
Jazz FM currently broadcasts digital radio in multiple markets in the UK and as well as the Mediterranean island of Malta.
“Jazz FM is a much loved, respected and influential brand, with strong growth potential, we look forward to developing it further. Jazz music is seeing an unprecedented resurgence, and this extends us into an entirely new and complementary radio audience,” said Bauer Media CEO Paul Keenan.
The financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
