New national digital radio station JACK Radio launches today at 12 noon and unveils a new world first broadcast radio format. Playing 100% female artists, the station provides a platform for women in music, from the female stars of the past to today’s main artists, along with new and emerging female talent.
In 2019, JACK Radio will add new programming elements, including content from women’s sports, highlighting major achievements and news in this growing global category, and female comedians, where you’ll find some of the world’s funniest ladies and where new acts will be encouraged to stand up and be heard.
Another unique feature of JACK Radio will be its ‘Like a Version’ songs, which will see a range of well-known tracks covered by female artists, not all of whom will be known; and JACK Radio will constantly be on the lookout for new talent, giving female artists an incredible opportunity to have their voices heard.
JACK Radio is the brainchild of the team who created Absolute Radio and who are behind the highly successful and multi-award-winning JACK fm – the most awarded local radio brand in UK radio history – JACK 2 Hits, JACK 3 Chill and Union JACK. The promotional video for JACK Radio can be downloaded and viewed here.
Ian Walker, co-CEO of JACK Radio, said: “For decades, music lovers have enjoyed albums with titles such as Women of Rock, Women of Pop, Women of the 80s, Women of Soul. We believe that it’s time that these women had their own radio station – and we have conducted extensive research that supports this proposition too, with both men and women finding the concept favourable. At its core, JACK Radio is a showcase of women – firstly in music, but ultimately in comedy and sport too.”
Belinda Doyle, from the station’s programming team, added: “JACK Radio is going to offer a blend of incredible music, the likes of which have never been heard anywhere else in the world, ever before. And it just so happens that it’s going to be all women! We’re going to showcase the very best female talent that the world has to offer, and introduce new artists through our ‘Like a Version’ songs – famous tunes that will be given a brand-new female flick.”
The station has already won support from a number of high-profile women. Respected broadcaster and former tennis champion Sue Barker OBE said of the launch: “The commercial radio landscape has, until now, offered very little in the way of quality content that truly showcases the world’s most inspirational women. I, for one, shall be listening to JACK Radio with intrigue as it aims to realise this aspiration.”
The new proposition means that the JACK portfolio now boasts two unique national offerings in JACK Radio and Union JACK, both with clearly defined audiences which, when combined, offer brands and advertisers an exciting opportunity to reach a large audience of ABC1 men and women who are primarily aged 40+. Speaking of the offering, Commercial Content Director, Katherine Knapp, said: “While JACK Radio appeals to both men and women, it will undoubtedly result in a female skew, while Union JACK delivers a mostly male audience. This, combined with the fact that both stations target a more mature audience, means that we have an unrivalled opportunity for advertisers to speak to men and women of the same age range through our new national network and we feel it’s the perfect time to add airtime to our existing branded content offering.”
JACK Radio will feature a wide range of women in music, from Adele, Kylie and Beyonce, to Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston and Dusty Springfield, all of which will be seamlessly brought together with witty interjection and, eventually, engaging and intelligent programming. Subsequent high-profile appointments are also expected to be announced in due course.
JACK Radio is available from 12 noon today, across the UK on DAB, online at JACKRadio.com, through RadioPlayer and via the JACK Radio app.
