Mix 96 to become Greatest Hits Radio in merger which puts local jobs at risk

Aylesbury Vale's local radio station Mix 96 will rebrand as Greatest Hits Radio in a merger which will put local jobs at risk.

In the move, which could spell a big blow for locally-based news, Bauer Media has announced that the station will joining the Hits Radio Brand Network, the UK's largest commercial radio network.

Bauer Media bosses insist that the merger will support the station in 'delivering the optimum mix of local content that listeners highly value alongside content from nationally known presenters.' And that 'for advertisers, the move will provide significant scale whilst also retaining local advertising windows for clients.'

But the changes mean that some roles will be put into consultation and freelance contracts will be reviewed.

Dee Ford CBE, group managing director radio, Bauer Radio, said: “Audiences love and trust radio. Expanding the Hits Radio Brand Network will ensure listeners to these acquired stations benefit from multi-platform digital distribution meaning they can continue to broadcast in an increasingly competitive, digital and voice-activated world. This ensures the provision of local news and information, traffic and travel as well as access for advertisers to highly valued audiences.”

Mix 96 is a big part of the local community, and sponsors events such as the Tour De Vale and the Christmas Lights Switch On. The station has been operating in town for 26 years.

Bucks Herald editor Hayley O'Keeffe commented on the news.

She said: "Like The Bucks Herald, Mix 96 works hard to deliver your local news, and local news helps keep the powers that be in check, a linchpin of local democracy.

"It would be a tragedy if that line of defence was weakened, and we all stand in solidarity with the hardworking staff at Mix 96 and hope that continuing to deliver news is part of this new plan."