Former Xfm and BBC 2 presenter Samanthi will help establish Bauer's newest station Q Radio when it re-launches on June 2nd, by hosting a daily flagship show.
The re-modeled station will kick off with an exclusive show by REM featuring 15 of their favourite tracks.
Samanthi will preside over the flagship show presenting unique live music sessions, small intimate sets and playing the greatest tracks from emerging and established artists, each evening.
Bauer says unique and exclusive access to the world’s biggest music stars will be one of the calling cards of the new digital-only radio station, alongside exclusive live performances and the best music from emerging and established acts.
Samanthi said: “This is massively exciting because it is Q which is a magazine I have grown up with and now I’m in at the start of Q Radio presenting their flagship show. I am passionate about the music Q will play and stunned by the strength of the Q brand which guarantees the sort of exclusive access that no-one else can get. This is undoubtedly the best job in radio.”
Ric Blaxill, Q Radio programme director, said Q Radio would aim to bring music to life across its schedule, working closely with the other members of the Q brand family.
He said: “We are working with a variety of established and new artists to provide us with exclusive content which is testimony to the power of the Q brand. There will be exclusive live sets which only Q could secure, alongside unique opportunities for the audiences to interact with our presenters and the bands themselves – not to mention the most innovative, informed and considered music and some cracking lifestyle and entertainment features. Q Radio will be a 24/7 living, breathing version of Q magazine – and some!”
Michael Stipe and Co from REM will play some of their handpicked tracks and discuss their choices as part of the launch line-up.
Traditional spot advertising is being replaced by exclusive commercial partnerships which will Bauer says will give advertisers the opportunity to create brand-led relationships with deeper cut through.
Karen Stacey, Bauer Advertising Broadcast Sales Director, said Q Radio would be at the heart of a brand-led proposition which would offer advertisers multiple touchpoints to quality audiences.
She said: “As we successfully achieved with heat radio, we are offering advertisers exclusive partnerships with Q Radio which will allow them to embed messages within bespoke programming in an uncluttered environment with the option of extending this across the Q brand. We are offering exclusivity and flexibility within a creative and content-rich environment which will target a quality and growing audience.”
Q Radio currently exists as a jukebox-style digital radio station with 282,000 listeners a week.
From launch, all new Q Radio will add distribution on DAB digital radio in London, alongside availability on Freeview, satellite and cable and online. It will also be available as the radio player on FHM.com – making it available to an additional 2 million global online users.
