Wave 105 FM Ltd.

What Wave 105 FM Ltd. does

Wave 105 FM Ltd. is a UK regional radio broadcast entity operating the Greatest Hits Radio brand as part of Bauer Media Group, one of the UK's largest commercial radio broadcasters. The station's core product is live radio programming featuring classic hits from the 1960s through the 1990s, fronted by high-profile presenters including Ken Bruce, Simon Mayo, Jackie Brambles, and — as of mid-2026 — Zoe Ball and Jenny Powell. Content distribution spans traditional FM transmission in its regional market, web streaming via the hellorayo.co.uk platform, iOS and Android mobile applications, smart speaker integrations (Amazon Alexa, Google Home), in-car entertainment systems, and the Radioplayer industry aggregator.

The product portfolio extends beyond the main Greatest Hits Radio station to decade-specific sub-brands (Greatest Hits Radio 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s), genre-themed premium stations (Grooves, Love, Album Tracks, Top 500, Good Times Anthems), and on-demand podcasts (PopMaster, Simon Mayo's Confessions). Rayo Premium, launched at £3.99 per month with a 30-day free trial, offers ad-break-free listening, HD sound quality, and access to 128 stations across the Bauer network in a single subscription — a notable subscription revenue extension for a legacy broadcast business historically reliant on audio advertising.

The company targets adults aged 45+ seeking nostalgic music from their youth, served through a horizontal segmentation approach built around the classic-hits proposition. The GTM motion blends traditional radio broadcast with product-led digital streaming and direct-to-consumer subscription acquisition. Revenue mechanics are two-stream: traditional audio advertising sold to regional SMBs, and a small but growing recurring subscription base from Rayo Premium. Wave 105 FM Ltd. is a regional legal entity (11 employees) within Bauer Media Group's larger network; corporate headquarters are registered in Peterborough, with H Bauer Publishing maintaining a London registered office.

Name

Wave 105 FM Ltd.

Website

https://wave105.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Wave 105 FM Ltd. is a UK regional radio station operating the Greatest Hits Radio brand under Bauer Media Group, broadcasting classic hits from the 60s, 70s, and 90s via FM, web, mobile apps, smart speakers, and the £3.99/month Rayo Premium subscription platform, targeting adults aged 45+.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Radio Broadcasting

NAICS

Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110), Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (5162)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

Commercial Terrestrial Radio Broadcasting (AM/FM) (MPAIAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Radio Streaming & Catch-Up Audio Platforms (MPAIADAJ), News/Talk Radio Networks (MPABABAD)

Keywords

• Commercial radio broadcasting
• Classic hits streaming
• Premium radio subscription
• Multi-platform audio content
• Nostalgic music radio

Headquarters

HQ city

Peterborough

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Advertising Revenue: Traditional radio advertising model where businesses pay to reach the station's audience through audio ads, sponsorships, and branded content segments
2. Rayo Premium Subscription: Monthly subscription at £3.99 providing ad-free listening, exclusive station access, HD sound quality, and 30-day free trial for new subscribers

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Wave 105 FM Ltd. operates the Greatest Hits Radio network, broadcasting classic hits from the 70s, 80s, and 90s via FM transmission, web streaming, mobile apps, smart speakers, and in-car platforms. It complements free ad-supported listening with the Rayo Premium subscription at £3.99/month, which removes ad breaks, unlocks HD sound quality, and grants access to 128 stations across the Bauer Media network.

Product overview

Greatest Hits Radio operates as a platform of radio stations and audio content, primarily featuring classic hits from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. The core product is the main Greatest Hits Radio station with live presenters including Ken Bruce, Simon Mayo, Jackie Brambles, Rossie, Alex Lester, and others. The portfolio extends to decade-specific sub-brands (60s, 70s, 80s, 90s), premium subscription services (Rayo Premium with exclusive stations like Top 500, Album Tracks, Grooves, and Love channels), and podcasts (PopMaster, Simon Mayo's Confessions). The company offers multiple listening channels including web, mobile, speakers, and car audio, with a premium tier eliminating advertisements.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Greatest Hits Radio The flagship radio station playing the biggest songs of the 70s, 80s, and 90s, presented by well-known presenters including Ken Bruce, Simon Mayo, Jackie Brambles, Rossie, and Alex Lester. Includes breakfast shows, daytime programming, and on-demand podcasts for adult listeners seeking nostalgic classic hits.
• Greatest Hits Radio 60s Dedicated decade-specific radio station playing the biggest songs of the 1960s, hosted by Richard Allinson, targeting adult listeners seeking 60s nostalgia.
• Greatest Hits Radio 70s Dedicated decade-specific radio station playing the biggest songs of the 1970s, hosted by Lynn Parsons, targeting adult listeners seeking 70s nostalgia.
• Greatest Hits Radio 80s Dedicated decade-specific radio station playing the biggest songs of the 1980s, hosted by Andy Goulding, targeting adult listeners seeking 80s nostalgia.
• Greatest Hits of the 90s Decade-specific radio station featuring the biggest songs of the 1990s for adult listeners seeking 90s nostalgia.
• PopMaster Podcast Music trivia game podcast from Greatest Hits Radio, available on-demand for listeners who want engaging music quiz content beyond the live broadcast.
• Simon Mayo's Confessions Podcast On-demand podcast featuring Simon Mayo's confessions and stories, extending the Greatest Hits Radio presenter's brand into standalone audio content.
• Rayo Premium Premium subscription service offering ad-free live radio listening, access to hundreds of exclusive stations (including Greatest Hits Radio's Top 500, Simon Mayo's Album Tracks, Good Times Anthems, Greatest Hits Grooves, and Greatest Hits Radio Love), and HD sound quality across 128 stations in the Bauer Media network for £3.99 per month.

Quantifiable outcome

• Access to 128 radio stations through single premium subscription

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sky NewscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSky News provides real-time news headline integration for Greatest Hits Radio / Wave 105 FM. The partnership delivers breaking news, UK news, world news, sports updates, and entertainment news to listeners through the station's news feed section.
• Make Me A WinnerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMake Me A Winner is a competition platform integrated into the station's website and promotional materials, offering listeners opportunities to win prizes and participate in contests.
• Cash For KidscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCash For Kids is a charity initiative linked from the navigation, suggesting a charitable partnership where the station supports the organization's fundraising activities for children.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wave-105-fm-ltd-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Wave 105 FM Ltd.