UK based CountryLine, the global fan club app for country music, has announced a deal to acquire Chris Country Radio, the UK’s country radio station.

18 March 2020 - Press release

UK based CountryLine, the global fan club app for country music, has announced a deal to acquire Chris Country Radio, the UK’s country radio station. Country music is the fastest growing genre in the UK and both CountryLine and Chris Country have been pioneers in the market, creating innovative new services to super-serve an under-served audience. Bringing together the leading fan club app with the leading radio station positions CountryLine as the go-to brand both for UK country fans and for US country artists looking to grow their UK audience.

CountryLine is the world’s first (and only) fan club app for country. A ‘freemium’ membership club, CountryLine is the 'one stop shop' for all things country - curating the best in video and audio, in partnership with the artists themselves. Available on web, iOS, and Android, CountryLine features exclusive interviews, sessions, playlists, podcasts, competitions, news and gigs, plus the best country boxsets and movies.
Launched in 2018 by media entrepreneurs Simon Walker and Nathalie Cox, and backed by Sir Elton John, CountryLine has built a strong brand in the industry, especially in Nashville, where artists, labels, managers, and promoters are hungry for an international partner. Currently live in the US, UK and Ireland, CountryLine has ambitious plans to roll out around the world over the next 24 months.

Chris Country is the UK’s country radio station, operating on DAB in many UK areas including London, Manchester and Liverpool, as well as online via Sonos, Alexa, iOS, and Android. Launched in 2013 by radio entrepreneur and passionate country fan Chris Stevens, Chris Country has grown from hobby project to the UK’s leading country radio brand.

Nathalie Cox, CountryLine’s Creative Director, comments: ‘Country music has the best fans in the world – they are passionate about the music of course, but they also love the whole Nashville lifestyle. We created CountryLine to help fans live their best country lives, and teaming up with Chris Country completes the package’

Chris Stevens, Chris Country’s Founder, comments: ‘Country is growing fast around the world. Joining forces with CountryLine means we can deliver an even better experience for audiences and artists alike.’

As part of the acquisition, Chris joins the CountryLine team as Head of Global Audio, and will continue to programme and manage Chris Country Radio.