The Kiss brand is expanding with the imminent launch of new radio stations Kisstory and KissFresh, whilst Q Radio is closed down.
Kisstory has been a feature on Kiss playing ‘old skool and anthems’ and Bauer says it gets its own 24 hour channel in response to positive audience feedback from research into Kisstory listeners.
KissFresh, a brand new on-demand digital station playing non-stop new beats including hip-hop, R&B, EDM, House and garage, is launching via the new Kiss Player accessible via desktop and mobile web on smartphones and tablets, and through a new KissKube iOS app on tablets and mobile.
The three stations will also adapt a new strapline – the Beat of the UK.
Meanwhile, Q Radio, which has been operational for a decade, will be closed and replaced on Freeview with Kisstory.
The new KissKube iOS app launches in mid-May and enables users to listen live to Kiss FM, Kisstory and KissFresh. Other new features allow users to download shows for offline listening; get the latest KISS FM news, videos, competitions and social updates; and share KissKube content with friends via email, Facebook and Twitter.
The KissKube app will be available on the Blackberry and Android platforms later in 2013.
Steve Parkinson, MD Bauer Radio London, said: “Kiss was born as a dance radio station at a time when genres were very specific but fast forward to the present day and the evolution of music is so wide that one Kiss station alone cannot deliver everything.
“It’s the right time to launch KissFresh, Kisstory and a new KissKube app as brilliant new additions to the Kiss brand. We’re giving audiences more of what they want whilst attracting new audiences and commercial partners with what we know are fantastic music and content formats.”
Andy Roberts, Group Programme Director at Kiss, added: “These new launches see Kiss grow through its love for the old and desire for the new. KissFresh will highlight the unknown and known, whilst Kisstory will bring you timeless tunes celebrating memories of good times, the places and people you hung out with and the music you shared with your mates.
“Kisstory tunes are the DNA that built the Kiss we know today and they’re the tunes Kiss made famous. We really excited to launch these two stand-alone digital stations that allow listeners the opportunity to consume whenever and however they want.”
The latest RAJAR figures showed that KISS UK reaches 4.4m listeners, up 2.1% yoy, and it remains the largest UK commercial radio station for 15 – 34 year olds.
Posted on Wednesday, May 1st, 2013 at 5:40 pm by RadioToday UK