Revolution 96.2 presenters thank listeners on final day of broadcasting.

Date published: 15 November 2020


Presenters at Oldham-based radio station Revolution 96.2 said their goodbyes on Friday as the station closed after 21 years.

Bauer Media - owners of the Hits Network - purchased the station last month.  From Monday, "Greatest Hits Radio" will be heard on 962FM across Oldham and beyond.

Breakfast presenters, Elliot Eastwick and Diana Lynham were the first to sign off with their final breakfast show from 6am.  The show included contributions from past members of the breakfast team, with best wishes for Elliot and Di.

Elliot, who's been at the station for 14 years told listeners: "This is it.  All good things must pass.  We want to say thank-you to everybody who has ever been involved in this breakfast show.  I've had thirteen years of getting it wrong".

Co-presenter Di added: "Even if we've just made you smile and have a laugh, that's all I've wanted to do.  Have a laugh and have a giggle.  Thank-you".

Mid-morning presenter Andy Hoyle talked about his time as the original breakfast presenter on the station in 1999.  He returned to the station in 2014 to present during the day. He said "It's been an absolute pleasure to be part of Revolution.  Thank you for joining in with all the silliness, and thank you for listening."

Elliot and Di, presenters of Revolution Breakfast
Elliot and Di, presenters of Revolution Breakfast thanked listeners on Friday

Martin Emery - who had been covering for Kev Bailey on the Homerun signed off with some statistics: "The 30th of August 1999 was when this radio station began broadcasting across Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside.  7746 days later, here we are with just 2 more days to go in the guise of Revolution 96.2.  But for now, after 21 years, from all of us at Revolution 96.2, thank-you for listening, and have a good weekend.  Bye-bye."

Content Director Kevin Bailey told the Chronicle that he was proud of the team: "In some ways, Revolution was the victim of it's own success.  We've held our own in a very competetive market, and have constantly raised our game.  The presentation team have helped produce an amazing radio station, and I'm very proud of the way they've handled the transition to Greatest Hits Radio.  In addition, our loyal audience have been tremendously supportive, and I thank everyone who has listened to the station over the years."

There has been a mixed reaction to the closure of the station on social media, with most contributors supportive of Revolution.

On Facebook, Karen Colligan posted: "Sorry but I will be finding another station, why can't local radio stay with local presenters? Loved Elliott and Di and their partnership. So, so sad."

Also posting was Susan Jackson: "Miss the Rev 96.2. Loved Elliott and Di on my drive to work in the morning.😞"

Meanwhile, Margaret Wild thanked the station: "Gutted the Rev is going. Going to miss not only Elliot and Di, but also Ian on a Saturday morning, and who could forget Joyce the cleaner and Kev. As Abba said “Thank you for the music.” You will be missed

Karen Coleman posted: "Gutted 😞 Yet another great local radio station lost. 😢 Will miss Elliot & Di’s banter in the morning! 😢"

Not everyone was sad at the station's demise though.  Ray Greenhall commented: "It got what it deserved, Revolution started off as fresh and exciting and became dull and boring I won't miss it."

Greatest Hits Radio plays a mix of songs from the 70s, 80s, and 90s and amongst the presenters on the network are Simon Ross, Andy Crane and Mark Goodier.

The station takes over the frequency from 6am on Monday 16th November.


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