Key 103 to retune
MANCHESTER radio station Key 103 is to be renamed Hits Radio and will go national as part of a multimillion pound rebrand announced yesterday. There will also be a major presenter shake-up as the station prepares for a nationwide reach, while still broadcasting from its studios in Castlefield.
Gemma Atkinson will remain as the new-look station’s breakfast co-host, but Mike Toolan will shift to the midmorning slot while Matt Haslam will remain as a producer.
Strictly Come Dancing star Gemma will host the new breakfast show alongside TV presenter Gethin Jones and Dave Vitty – known to millions as ‘Comedy Dave’ the former sidekick of exRadio One DJ Chris Moyles.
Hits Radio will launch in Manchester and nationwide from June 4, in a move that will make it the first national commercial radio station to be based in the city.
The re-branding of the station is part of a multi-million pound investment from Bauer Media, under which the new flagship station will sit alongside the group’s other national stations, Absolute Radio, Magic Radio and KISS.
In Manchester, Hits Radio Manchester will have local news and information about school closures, any local emergencies plus the latest traffic and travel to ensure it retains its Manchester ‘heritage. The station has been known as Key 103 for the past 30 years in Manchester – before that it was Piccadilly Radio, the city’s first ever commercial radio station which launched back in 1974.
Former Emmerdale star Gemma, from Bury, has been a huge hit for Key since joining as breakfast co-host last summer alongside Mike and Matt.
The newly-rebranded Hits Radio will also have a new evening show fronted by The Xtra Factor’s Sarah-Jane Crawford who will be joined by a host of celebrity guests.
Debbie Mac and Wes Butters will both remain as presenters on the new daytime schedule, although details of the weekend line-up and what will happen to other current DJs on the station has not yet been confirmed.
Hits Radio will be available on FM in Manchester, as well as on DAB digital radio, Freeview, online and via listen apps.