Bauer Media has announced the line-up and guest hosts for its new dedicated LGBTQ+ pop-up digital station Hits Radio Pride. Presenters Fleur East, Jordan Lee, James Barr, Stephanie Hirst and Charlie Powell will be joined by special guest hosts including Mel C, Anne-Marie, Ella Henderson, Gok Wan and Years & Years’ Olly Alexander.
Available online, on smart speakers, through the Hits Radio app, and on DAB or DAB+ in a number of UK areas, including Bradford, London, Liverpool and Northern Ireland, Hits Radio Pride will play some of the 21st century’s biggest artists loved by the LGBTQ+ community – including Lady Gaga,, Sam Smith, Harry Styles and Ariana Grande.
In addition to music programming, Hits Radio Pride will provide a platform to educate and raise awareness of LGBTQ+ issues and offer listeners access to support and advice in a partnership with The Co-operative Bank and LGBT+ helpline, Switchboard. In a series titled Tough Talks, supported by the Audio Content Fund, contributors from the LGBTQ+ community will discuss the struggles the community often experiences in society.
Dee Ford CBE, Group Managing Director, Bauer Radio, said “At Bauer Media we are committed to delivering distinctive radio stations that delight our audience’s needs. Hits Radio Pride creates a sense of belonging for the LGBTQ+ community and beyond; we are thrilled to be partnering with The Co-operative Bank and have the likes of Olly Alexander, Mel C, MNEK and Gok Wan on board alongside our roster of talented presenters such as Jordan Lee and Fleur East to further enhance our portfolio of brands.”
Hits Radio Pride launches on Friday 28 August at 8am and will be available online, on smart speakers, through the Hits Radio app, and initially on DAB in Bradford, Liverpool, Stoke, Swansea, and Northern Ireland. It will be on DAB+ in London and Norwich, and in South Yorkshire and Humberside from 1 September.