The Metro Radio Group itself was bought out by EMAP in 1996 and ownership rules at the time meant that as they already owned neighbouring Radio Aire in Leeds something had to be sold on, and that was The Pulse and its sister station Classic Gold which were purchased in a management buyout from senior staff and ex-Metro Group executives. The new company was called The Radio Partnership, it was at this time that the station moved to number one position in the West Yorkshire radio market for the first time in its history.
The Radio Partnership expanded over the years to include other stations, such as Signal Radio in Stoke-on-Trent. In 1999, Kelvin MacKenzie's Talk Radio UK bought The Radio Partnership and formed The Wireless Group to include the national broadcaster and a series of local stations. In July 2005 The Wireless Group was bought out by UTV Group. In September 2016, The Wireless Group was purchased by News UK.
On 8 February 2019, Pulse 1 and the Wireless Group's network of local radio stations were sold to Bauer.[2]
In May 2020, Bauer announced that Pulse 1 would join the Hits Radio network, while retaining its on-air branding.[3] Pulse 1 began carrying off-peak programming from the Hits Radio network on 15 June 2020[4] and the station officially joined the Hits Radio network on 20 July 2020.[5]
In September 2020, Pulse 1 began broadcasting to the eastern part of West Yorkshire on DAB following the closure of sister station Radio Aire.[6]
In March 2021, Bauer closed Pulse 1's Bradford studios and moved the station to the former Radio Aire studios in Leeds, co-locating with Greatest Hits Radio Yorkshire.
Hits Radio rebrand
On 10 January 2024, station owners Bauer announced Pulse 1 would be rebranded as Hits Radio West Yorkshire from April 2024, as part of a network-wide relaunch involving 17 local radio stations in England and Wales.[7][8]
The station's local programming will not be affected as a result of the relaunch.
Service area
The main 102.5 FM signal comes from the Vicars Lot transmitter close to the M62 between Scammonden Dam and junction 23, close to the Scammonden arched bridge. This signal covers most of West Yorkshire, including eastern areas of the county such as Leeds, Wakefield, Castleford and Knottingley.
It can be heard as far south as Doncaster and Sheffield, and also to the west of the Pennines in Lancashire and Greater Manchester. The signal is much stronger, and the transmitter at a higher altitude than the Idle transmitter.
Networked programming originates from Bauer's Manchester studios.[4]
Local programming is produced and broadcast from Bauer's Leeds studios each weekday from 6–10 am, presented by Danny Mylo and Rosie Madison.[5]
News
Bauer's Leeds newsroom broadcasts local news bulletins hourly from 6 am–7 pm on weekdays and from 7 am–1 pm on weekends. Headlines are broadcast on the half-hour during weekday breakfast and drivetime shows. The station simulcasts hourly Sky News Radio bulletins at all other times.
Henry Winter has presented Pulse 1's breakfast news bulletins since 2018. He also contributes to the 'Pulse 1 Breakfast Show with Mylo & Rosie'.[9]
Former sport programming
Pulse 1 aired extensive local sports coverage, including live match commentaries on Bradford City matches, led by Jason Thornton and former City striker Ian Ormondroyd, and a weekly rugby league magazine show, presented by Bradford Bulls CEO Robbie Hunter Paul.[10]
