Regional Content Director for Bauer South of England & Wales Andy Shier is leaving his role at the end of this month as Pirate FM and Wave 105 turn into Greatest Hits Radio
Andy, who has been programming regional station Wave 105 since 2008, will continue to present his show on Planet Rock but departs his full time role after 16 years.
Adam Newstead, Head of Content for Greatest Hits Radio & Hits Radio brands across the South of the UK will then manage the region.
Wave 105 is one of the last remaining locally-programmed regional FM radio stations in the UK – with just over 400,000 weekly reach in a TSA of almost 2m according to the latest RAJAR.
Pirate FM launched in 1992 and has a similar percentage reach – with 122,000 people listening in a TSA of half a million.
Gary Stein, Group Programme Director for the Hits Radio Portfolio, told RadioToday: “Andy’s immense talent as a programmer has been instrumental in Wave 105’s success over the years and he has been a tremendous manager and leader for our teams in the South and in Wales.
“We wish him the very best for the next chapter of his career.”
Almost 5,000 comments have been made on the Facebook Page announcements regarding the future of both Pirate FM and Wave 105, with the majority being overwhelmingly negative about the switch to the oldies format.
Frequencies carrying both stations will become Greatest Hits Radio in the coming weeks, whilst Pirate FM will become Hits Radio on DAB.
This story first appeared on radiotoday.co.uk