The Revolution (radio station)

Oldham F.M. Limited was incorporated on 5 June 1997, Bernard Stone, Philip Hirst and Christopher Hirst of Hirst Kidd and Rennie LTD, owners of Oldham Evening Chronicle, were appointed company directors. The following December David Bruce and Stephen Kitney of UK Radio Developments LTD, as well as Nichola Atkinson, John Gracie and Liam Forristal were also added as company directors.[1][2]

The new owners began to bid for a full-time broadcasting licence, while using temporary licences broadcasting for one month per year. After two years a licence was granted. On 30 August 1999 Oldham F.M. began broadcasting under the name 96.2 The Revolution. The name was chosen because of the Industrial Revolution, in which the region took a major role, and the initial letters of its three main target areas – Revolution. The station initially launched with a general pop and rock format and remained as such from 1999-2005.

In 2005, the station changed to a more specialist music format. Playing a wide variety of alternative/soul & rock and roll music, mixing brand new artists with gems from the last 40 years. Inspiral Carpets keyboard player Clint Boon took over as head of music.[3] Boon left the station after a short period of time for its then rival, Xfm Manchester.

In 2008 the station's audience went into decline due to several factors and the business was put on the market. The station's format was changed by its then owner, who physically changed the music policy during one afternoon in late August of that year. The output became a repeat of mainly repetitive mainstream hits. This radical change lead to a walk-out by most of the DJ's, resulting in the station playing back to back music with only a few mainly pre-recorded links in between.[4]

A fortnight after the walk-out, it was announced that The Revolution had been purchased by broadcaster Steve Penk, formerly of Key 103 and Capital FM.[5] Penk changed the station format back to an Adult Contemporary sound.[2]

In January 2014 Penk sold the radio station to Credible Media. New head Matt Ramsbottom vowed to create stronger links with local businesses and institutions and use the station as an advertising platform.[6]

On 30 August 2015 Niocast Digital began a trial of broadcasting six radio stations on small-scale DAB multiplex 10B, including Revolution 96.2, to people in Manchester.[7]

On 23 October 2020 it was announced that Bauer had purchased the station.[8] Revolution 96.2 ceased broadcasting on 16 November 2020, replaced by Greatest Hits Radio North West output.

• Official web site
• Media UK directory entry