Just one regional programme, as Yorkshire Coast Radio is rebranded to Greatest Hits Radio next week

When the station officially becomes Greatest Hits Radio next week, there will be just one regional programme - a drive-time show, which will be broadcast across North Yorkshire.

A spokesperson for the station’s new owner, Bauer Media, said local news, traffic and travel updates will remain.

The station will rebrand as Greatest Hits Radio on September 1.

As reported by The Scarborough News, popular DJ Paddy Billington has announced he is leaving his breakfast show on Yorkshire Coast Radio.

As part of Yorkshire Coast Radio’s transition into Greatest Hits Radio, he has said his last breakfast show will be on Friday, August 28.

Dozens of fans have posted comments on social media wishing him well and saying he will be missed.

Earlier this month, Yorkshire Coast Radio’s Managing Director, Chris Sigsworth, left the radio station after almost 27 years’ service.

Mr Sigsworth was one of the original presenters when the station launched on November 7 1993 and became Programme Controller and Station Manager.

Since 2010 he has been Managing Director of the business.

Bauer Media announced in May that Yorkshire Coast Radio would be one of several stations it has bought to be rebranded as Greatest Hits Radio.

It said the change would mean that some roles would be “put into consultation” and “freelance contracts reviewed”.

An online petition was launched entitled ‘Save Yorkshire Coast Radio’, voicing fears that local shows would go and local presenters would lose their jobs.

Nearly 5,000 people have so far signed the call. There have also been calls on social media to boycott Bauer Media.

Bauer Media last year bought four UK Radio companies: UKRD (previous owners of Yorkshire Coast Radio, Minster FM and Stray FM) along with Lincs FM, Celador Radio, and parts of Wireless.

The acquisitions added 40 radio stations to the Bauer portfolio. Most of those stations will rebrand as Greatest Hits Radio next month.

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