{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2016}} {{Use British English|date=February 2016}} {{Coord|51.512248|-0.136937|display=title}} {{Infobox radio station | name = Absolute Radio 80s | logo = AbsoluteRadio80s.png | country = UK | branding = Absolute 80s | airdate = {{start date|2009|12|06|df=y}} | frequency = {{ubl|[[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB+]]: 11A [[Sound Digital]] (UK)}} | format = [[1980s in music|1980s rock/pop]] | network = [[Absolute Radio Network]] | owner = [[Bauer Radio]] | sister_stations = {{ubl|[[Absolute Radio]]|[[Absolute Radio 60s]]|[[Absolute Radio 70s]]|[[Absolute Radio 90s]]|[[Absolute Radio 00s]]|[[Absolute Radio 10s]]|[[Absolute Radio 20s]]|[[Absolute Radio Classic Rock]]|[[Absolute Radio Country]]}} | webcast = [https://hellorayo.co.uk/absolute-80s/play/ Rayo] | website = {{Official URL}} | city = London | coordinates = }}{{Redirect|Virgin Radio Xtreme|the older station from 2005 to 2008|Absolute Xtreme}} '''Absolute Radio 80s''' (known on-air as '''Absolute 80s''') is a national digital radio station, owned and operated by [[Bauer Radio|Bauer]] as part of the [[Absolute Radio Network]]. Its main output is non-stop 1980s hits.

==History== Absolute Radio 80s launched at 7.00{{nbsp}}pm on 4 December 2009, replacing [[Absolute Xtreme]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theairwaves.net/index.php/radio/3990-absolute-80s-to-launch-tomorrow|title=Absolute 80s to launch tomorrow|publisher=The Airwaves|date=2009-12-03|url-status=usurped|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724095912/http://www.theairwaves.net/index.php/radio/3990-absolute-80s-to-launch-tomorrow|archivedate=2011-07-24}}</ref>

The marketing plan for Absolute 80s started with targeted sampling at 80s events such as [[Madness (band)|Madness]], [[Pet Shop Boys]] and [[Depeche Mode]] at the [[The O2 Arena|O2 Arena]], [[Erasure (duo)|Erasure]] at the [[National Exhibition Centre|NEC Birmingham]] and [[Simple Minds]] at the [[Wembley Arena]]. The first track to play on the station was "[[(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)]]" by the [[Beastie Boys]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.5432 |title=Absolute 80s ready to launch |publisher=Radio Today |date=2009-12-03 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313161334/http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.5432 |archivedate=13 March 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/absolute-readies-80s-push/3007428.article|title=Absolute readies 80s push|publisher=Marketing Week|date=2009-12-02}}</ref>

On 14 May 2010, Absolute 80s began broadcasting in mono at 64&nbsp;kbps on [[Digital One]] national DAB digital radio.

On 29 February 2016, the station switched to the newly launched [[Sound Digital]] multiplex (an "upgrade" to 80&nbsp;kbps in mono) although it continued to broadcast on Digital One until the end of April 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.a516digital.com/2016/04/absolute-80s-planet-rock-heat-and.html|title=Absolute 80s, Planet Rock, Heat and Kisstory to end dual DAB transmission|publisher=a516digital.com|date=2016-04-15}}</ref>

On 16 October 2023, Absolute 80s switched to DAB+ broadcasting in stereo.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Colothan |first=Scott |date=2023-10-06 |title=Absolute Radio Country and Absolute Classic Rock go national with DAB+ |url=https://planetradio.co.uk/absolute-radio/competitions/win/roberts-radio-competition-ar/}}</ref>

On 12 December 2023, Absolute Radio 80s was removed from [[Freesat]], followed by [[Sky UK|Sky]] and [[Virgin Media]] on 13 December, along with every other radio station owned by Bauer Media on either of the three TV platforms.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2023/11/bauer-to-remove-all-radio-stations-from-satellite-and-cable-tv-platforms/|title = Bauer to remove all radio stations from satellite and cable TV platforms|date = 28 November 2023}}</ref>

==Presenters== The station's presenters include [[Leona Graham]], [[Sarah Champion (presenter)|Sarah Champion]], Richie Firth and Chris Martin.

Absolute 80s also simulcasts [[Absolute Radio]]'s breakfast ([[Dave Berry (presenter)|Dave Berry]]) and drivetime shows, using a split playlist system which allows relevant music to be played on each Absolute station.

Former presenters include ex-[[Spandau Ballet]] lead singer [[Tony Hadley]], who presented a Saturday evening ''80s Party'' show until December 2019.

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *{{Official website}}

{{Absolute Radio}} {{Bauer}} {{Media in the United Kingdom|radio}} {{Decades themed radio stations}}

[[Category:Absolute Radio]] [[Category:Radio stations established in 2009]] [[Category:2009 establishments in the United Kingdom]] [[Category:1980s-themed radio stations]] [[Category:Bauer Radio]]

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