Hits Radio is coming on April 17th
Here’s everything you need to know
Last updated 16th Apr 2024
From April 17th, we're becoming Hits Radio. There’s so much to be excited about, as JD & Roisin will be waking you up with the biggest hits, throwbacks and huge laughs each weekday morning from 6am. Gemma Atkinson will be back with Mike Toolan each weekday afternoon to get you home in the funniest way possible, and we could change your life with Million Pound Make Me A Winner! Plus every evening Sam Thompson will be hanging out with the biggest stars to end your day in the perfect way.
To make sure you’re ready for Hits Radio, check out everything you need to know below.
What will you be changing your name to?
Free Radio Birmingham becomes Hits Radio West Midlands.
You will still be able to access all your local news and information, including traffic and travel, and our much-loved breakfast hosts, JD & Roisin, will be on air as usual when you wake up every weekday morning from 6am.
As well as what you hear on-air, we remain connected to the community with our vital fundraising for disadvantaged young people through our Cash for Kids charity.
As always, we will continue to accompany you through the day with your favourite playlist of the biggest hits and biggest throwbacks, plus shows from presenters including Fleur East, Sam Thompson and Gemma Atkinson.
Why are you changing your name?
Free Radio is already part of the Hits Radio Network, and this name change means we’ll be more clearly identified as part of our family network of shows.
Will I still be able to listen to the breakfast show?
Yes! JD & Roisin will still be broadcasting live across the West Midlands every weekday morning from 6am-10am. Listen back to JD & Roisin here.
Will the music Free Radio play change?
No. We will still have our same great playlist of the biggest hits and biggest throwbacks brought to you by our presenter line-up including JD & Roisin, Fleur East, Sam Thompson, Sarah-Jane Crawford, Gemma Atkinson and Mike Toolan. See our full playlist here.
Will you still be local?
Yes! We’ll still bring you all your local news and information, traffic and travel and Hits at Breakfast with JD & Roisin.
Will you still be supporting Cash for Kids?
Yes! We’ll continue our essential fundraising for disadvantaged young people within our community through Cash for Kids.
Will local advertising be affected?
Not at all. Our advertising opportunities for local commercial partners remain unchanged.
How will I listen to Free Radio when you change your name?
There are many ways you can listen to us, from online, to our app, on FM and DAB, here's our complete guide to how to listen.
How can I listen on my Smart Speaker?
You’ll still ask for Free Radio in the same way until our change is complete in April:
Amazon Alexa: "Alexa, play Free Radio"
Google Home: "Ok Google, play Free Radio."
Apple HomePod: "Hey Siri, play Free Radio."
We will share the new ways to listen nearer the time.
Do I need to download a new App?
We’ll be keeping the same Free Radio app for the time being. If you already have it, then you don’t have to do anything different, and if you don’t then the links to download are below!
Download the Free Radio App for iOS
Download the Free Radio App on Google Play
Will I need to change how I listen on FM?
No. You will still be able to listen to us your usual way.
Tune in to 96.4FM to listen in Birmingham.
Tune in to 97.2FM to listen to in the Black Country.
Tune in to 103.1FM to listen to in Shropshire.
Tune in to 97FM and 102.9FM to listen in Coventry & Warwickshire.
Tune in to 96.7FM, 97.6FM, and 102.8FM to listen in Herefordshire &Worcestershire.
How will I find local news?
You will continue to hear your local news on the hour listening on your radio, online or our App when we change name, as well as finding it on our website. You can also follow our news Twitter for the latest stories in your region.
Will I need to change the accounts I follow on social media?
No. You can connect with us below if you aren’t already and these will change name in April – no need to re-follow or re-like our pages.
Follow Hits at Breakfast with JD & Roisin on Twitter
Follow Free Radio on Instagram
Follow our Free Radio news Twitter for the latest stories from across the West Midlands and your part of the region.
Will I still receive regular emails from you?
As we change our name from April, you’ll need to opt into our new emails to make sure you receive information ongoing. We’ll share details for how you can do this in due course.
Will your website change?
Our website will update to become ‘hitsradio.co.uk’ and from there you’ll just need to select your local region and you will continue to receive the localised version, with all the information relevant to where you are.
How can I enter competitions?
You will continue to find out about our huge competitions on-air by listening through the day or exploring our dedicated win section on our website, which will be unique to each Hits Radio station.
I have a prize/offer voucher with the station – will that expire in April?
No don’t worry, there’ll be no changes to our prizes and the validity period will remain the same.
How will I be able to contact the station from April?
Our contacts remain the same. You can visit our contact us page here. Any queries regarding the name change should be directed to enquiries@freeradio.co.uk
I’m a local business and want to understand more about the changes, who do I speak to?
If you already have a contact at the business, please feel free to reach out to them as normal or contact enquiries@freeradio.co.uk to direct you to the relevant team.
Hits at Breakfast with JD & Roisin
Wake up the right way with JD & Roisin, broadcasting live across the West Midlands on Free Radio. Wake the fun up every weekday morning from 6am-10am on Hits at Breakfast, as JD & Roisin get your day started with the biggest hits, the biggest throwbacks, plus the latest local news and travel for your part of the region. Of course, not forgetting chances to win some amazing prizes too! Listen back to the Free Radio breakfast show here.
Get to know the presenters on our weekly and weekend schedule:
Fleur East, James Barr and Matt Haslam
Wake the fun up with Fleur East, James Barr & Matt Haslam. This jam-packed show brings you the biggest laughs, the biggest competitions and your favourite stars all while playing the biggest hits and the biggest throwbacks.
Gemma Atkinson & Mike Toolan
Gemma Atkinson & Mike Toolan get you home weekdays from 4pm. Expect plenty of laughs with the biggest hits and throwbacks!
Sam Thompson
Every weeknight Hits Radio is THE place to be, as Sam Thompson brings you The Hits Radio Evening Show from 7pm. He's joined by the world's biggest stars and has the best playlist to soundtrack your evening.
Plus, on Sunday afternoons Sam Thompson counts down the UK's 40 biggest hits on the Hits UK Chart.
Tom Green
Tom Green kicks off your workday from 10am with an entire hour of huge throwbacks.
Then continue your day with a tasty selection of hits, throwbacks and a lot to make you smile!
Hattie Pearson
We don't do the post lunch slump! From 1pm, there's big tunes all afternoon and MASSIVE money to be won, Hattie will see you through your afternoon in style.
Owen Warner
Owen Warner kickstarts your weekend on Friday Night Hits and Saturday Night Hits from 7pm. He's got the ultimate playlist to get you ready for the weekend, with the biggest hits and the biggest throwbacks as well as some incredible celebrity guests. Don't miss it!
Mary Mandefield
Mary Mandefield gives your Sunday morning the kickstart it needs with hits, throwbacks and plenty of giggles as you wake up. Listen Sunday morning from 6-9am.
Stephanie Hirst
Your Saturday night party is ON with Stephanie Hirst's belters! From 11pm every Saturday Stephanie plays nothing but the best dance-floor throwbacks from the 90s & 00s. Plus, every Sunday evening from 7pm, Steph plays nothing but the biggest throwbacks in the mix.
Sarah-Jane Crawford
Whether you're heading back from the shops, the game or getting ready for an evening at home, our very own SJC has the perfect mix of Hits and Throwbacks to take your Saturday afternoon into Saturday night mode! Join Sarah-Jane Crawford Saturday afternoons from 4-7pm. You can also catch Sarah-Jane weeknights from 10pm on Hits Radio.