The_Breeze_(radio_network)

The Breeze (radio network)

The Breeze (radio network)

Radio station


The Breeze was a network of Independent Local Radio stations broadcasting to Bristol, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Somerset, North Dorset, North Gloucestershire, North Somerset, South Devon, South West Surrey, West Berkshire and West Wiltshire, as well as in East Anglia as Radio Norwich 99.9, The Beach, North Norfolk Radio, Town 102 and Dream 100. The stations broadcast a 'contemporary easy listening' format, playing classic and recent melodic popular music aimed principally at listeners over the age of 40.

Quick Facts Broadcast area, Frequency ...

The Breeze network operated on various FM frequencies and was also online at thebreeze.com.,[1] and other relevant links for the East Anglian stations. All frequencies branded The Breeze were previously separate stations centred on each of the broadcast areas, which had been acquired and combined into one network, carrying separate breakfast and drivetime programming for the south and the west of England, and a separate breakfast show hosted by Rob Chandler for East Anglia.

Following the purchase of owners Celador Radio in early 2020 by Bauer Radio, [2] the network was closed on 1 September 2020 and replaced by Greatest Hits Radio.[3]

History

The network launched when Play Radio (a combination of two stations in Hampshire) was acquired by Celador along with an additional station in Portsmouth and rebranded as The Breeze on 4 July 2010. The individual stations have all operated under various owners, formats and identities, with the stations having launched between 1998 and 1999 as a series of local stations focused on a specified broadcast area.

In 2011, Celador acquired two Total Star stations in Bristol & Bridgwater, and successfully applied for an FM licence serving the Bath area,[4] and relaunched all stations as The Breeze. All local programming is now identical across all licence areas.

The Breeze is currently based in Torbay, Southampton, Bristol and Basingstoke.

In February 2019, Bauer Radio acquired Celador Radio stations, including The Breeze. The licences for Southampton, Portsmouth and Winchester were sold on to Nation Broadcasting, along with Sam FM (South Coast) which also broadcasts from the Southampton studios, due to the overlap with existing Bauer-owned regional adult-contemporary service Wave 105. The other Breeze stations will remain with Bauer.

As of July 13, 2020, The Breeze network closed, ahead of Bauer's decision to relaunch the stations as part of its Greatest Hits Radio network. They retained their branding but shared the same playlist as Greatest Hits Radio until GHR was fully launched on the former Breeze stations on September 1.

Stations

These stations comprised The Breeze network.

These stations joined the network in January 2017, but did not rebrand. These stations are all in East Anglia.


References

  1. "Media titles owned by Celador Radio". Media UK. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
  2. "Bauer Media continues to grow with two acquisitions". 5 February 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  3. "The Breeze heads to Bristol". Radio Today. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  4. "Celador to Launch The Breeze 107". Radio Today. 21 June 2010. Archived from the original on 22 June 2010. Retrieved 21 June 2010.

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