Bauer Radio is axing local evening programming across its Scottish FM stations from 15th September. Radio Forth, West Sound, Radio Borders, Moray Firth, Radio Clyde, Radio Tay and Northsound will be networked from 7pm til 1am.
The Sunday Herald reports that two new network shows will be broadcast from Radio Clyde across the stations; Radio Clyde's Romeo will present the new 7pm to 10pm show In Demand while 10pm to 1am will presented by Radio Clyde's Gina McKie.
Travis Baxter, managing director of Bauer's Big City stations told the paper: "A Scotland-wide show, broadcast from Radio Clyde where we have our most developed technology, will be better able to attract big name celebrities and that is what we feel the audience want. That is the reason we are doing this."
Baxter stated that the net saving to the company by networking would be £50,000.
"To a company of Bauer's size it isn't even a hill of beans, showing that we're not cutting content mainly to save money."
Paul Cooney, head of radio in central Scotland said: “We’re always looking for ways to improve our output and our research has shown that listeners at night-time want live, quality programming made in Scotland for a Scottish audience.
“In the late evenings and through the night, the audience is younger and doesn’t have as much need for information on local travel, weather and news which our daytime listeners find so important.
