Eighteen Bauer radio stations are to broadcast a night of Kings of Leon programming, including a live performance they've secured the rights to.
The gig in Sheffield just before Christmas will be aired across the group's Big City Network, as well as digital stations Q and Kerrang!, in the New Year.
The Sheffield concert – at the Motorpoint Arena on Sunday 19th December – will be broadcast on Sunday 9th January 2011 across Bauer Media radio stations during a night of special programming dedicated to the group.
The schedule will kick off with ‘Stadium Stars 7@7’ featuring famous stadium acts mixed with Kings of Leon fan vox pops and celebrity fan messages. From 8pm follows two hours of dedicated Kings of Leon programming consisting of an exclusive 'Kings of Leon In:Demand' interview and then 'Kings of Leon Live' with selected live tracks from the gig recorded in Sheffield.
The show is expected to reach over 6 million listeners on the group's network of stations and we're told the stations in Scotland and England will produce bespoke versions of the programmes. The English version of the In:Demand band interview will be presented by Alex and Lucy and produced by Paul Fernley and Mark Davison. The Scottish version will be presented by Romeo and produced by Andy Everett and Gavin Pearson.
Throughout the five-week period of activity, from pre-promotion to transmission, a dedicated splashpage – ilovekingsofleonontheradio.com – will provide listeners with competition details and how and where to tune into the broadcast.
Ric Blaxill, Head of Music at the Big City Network at Bauer Media, secured the broadcasting rights to the gig and told RadioToday.co.uk: "This is a fantastic opportunity to see one of the biggest bands in the world right now in a small venue ahead of their eagerly anticipated 2011 Stadium tour. We are delighted to be able to offer our listeners such an exclusive."
The Kings of Leon gig follows similar exclusive gigs recently broadcast across Bauer Media’s Radio Network including U2, Lily Allen and Rihanna.
Dee Ford, Group MD of Broadcast at Bauer Media, added: "This is the fourth time in 15 months we have been the go-to radio partner for world-class artists, a real reflection of how influential our radio brands are in reaching, engaging and connecting with audiences."
The complete list of stations broadcasting the gig is: Key 103, Clyde 1, Radio City, Forth 1, Rock FM, Cool FM, Hallam FM, Northsound 1, Viking FM, MFR, Radio Aire, Radio Tay, Metro Radio, Radio Borders, TFM, West FM, CFM, Kerrang! 105.2, Kerrang! Radio and Q Radio.