Absolute Radio Country

Absolute Radio Country is a national digital radio station broadcasting across the UK via national DAB+ (Sound Digital multiplex 11A) and digital platforms, with studios at Bauer Media Audio UK in London and select evening programming syndicated from the US. The station launched as Country Hits Radio on April 5, 2019, before rebranding under Bauer Media in May 2021. It targets adults aged 25 to 54 with a mainstream country format centered on contemporary hits.

Listeners tune in for specific weekday features like The No Repeat Guarantee with Baylen Leonard and Lou Nash, which blocks track repetition between 9:00 and 17:00. The outlet also offers fewer commercial breaks per hour than indie alternatives, plus direct access to the UK Country Radio Airplay Chart and festival partnerships like The Long Road.

The daytime playlist leans heavily into upbeat modern tracks. Core artists include Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, and Chris Stapleton, alongside crossover staples from Taylor Swift.

Official RAJAR data for Q2 2026 shows this station reaches 566,000 weekly listeners across the UK.

Compared to independent rivals like Chris Country, the broadcaster runs a slicker corporate setup with a heavy focus on mainstream pop-country rather than underground bluegrass.