In December 2023, a significant change is set to affect radio listeners who use their TV platforms, as Bauer Media Group prepares to remove all of its radio stations from Sky, Freesat and Virgin Media. The move, scheduled for 13th December 2023, will see a number of well-known stations disappear from satellite and cable TV services.

Among the stations affected are popular names such as Absolute Radio, Greatest Hits Radio, KISS, Magic, Jazz FM and Planet Rock. In total, around ten stations will be removed from TV platforms, with on-screen messages already appearing to warn listeners of the upcoming changes.

For many viewers, this marks the end of an era. Radio via TV has long been a convenient way to listen, especially for households using Sky or Freesat boxes connected to home audio systems. However, listening through television platforms now accounts for only a small percentage of total radio consumption — typically under 5% — as audiences increasingly shift to digital and on-demand alternatives.

📻 Why Are Bauer Removing Their Stations?

While no single official reason has been heavily promoted, the move reflects a broader shift in how radio is delivered and consumed. Maintaining distribution on satellite and cable platforms comes with ongoing costs, and with relatively low listening figures via TV, these platforms are no longer seen as essential.

Instead, Bauer is focusing on digital-first delivery. All affected stations will remain widely available via DAB digital radio, online streaming, mobile apps, and smart speakers.

This follows a wider trend across the radio industry, where broadcasters are moving away from traditional transmission methods such as AM and even some TV platforms, in favour of internet-based services that offer greater flexibility, personalisation, and lower operating costs.

📻 What Radio Channels are Affected?

The following stations will be removed from Sky, Freesat and Virgin TV:

• Absolute Radio
• Absolute 80s
• Absolute 90s
• Absolute Classic Rock
• Hits Radio
• Greatest Hits Radio
• KISS
• Magic
• Jazz FM
• Planet Rock

📺 What It Means for Viewers

For users of Sky, Freesat, or Virgin Media, the change means that these stations will simply disappear from the TV guide after 13th December 2023. There will be no replacement channels on those platforms, and viewers who regularly listen via their TV will need to switch to alternative methods.

Sky Q users may still be able to access some stations via apps such as Radioplayer, while those with smart TVs or streaming devices can listen using dedicated radio apps. Traditional options like DAB radios and smart speakers remain the most straightforward alternatives.

It’s worth noting that other radio providers — including the BBC and Global — will continue to offer stations via TV platforms, meaning radio will not disappear entirely from Sky or Freesat.

📡 The Bigger Picture

This change is part of a wider transformation in both TV and radio broadcasting. Just as television is moving away from SD to HD and streaming, radio is increasingly shifting toward digital platforms and app-based listening.

For Bauer, removing stations from Sky, Freesat and Virgin is less about reducing access, and more about concentrating on where audiences are actually listening. However, for viewers who have relied on their TV as a convenient radio hub, it represents a noticeable — and potentially inconvenient — change.

The channels will still be available to listen via their apps…for which it is available on SkyQ boxes, and not yet on Freesat boxes.