Latest news about BBC Radio 2

Festive Highlights for 2018 on BBC Radio

BBC Radio has today announced its on-air highlights for the festive period. Bob Shennan, BBC Director of Radio & Music, says: “This Christmas BBC Radio will offer an unrivalled collection of programmes featuring the finest DJs, musicians and actors. Across our stations, teams have curated brilliant schedules with world-class talent - all of which are available on BBC Sounds.”

Rylan Clark-Neal to launch new Saturday afternoon show on BBC Radio 2

Rylan Clark-Neal will present a brand new Saturday afternoon show (3-6pm) on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, starting in January 2019, bringing his own fun, feel-good hits and ample amounts of chat to the programme. Rylan will be replacing Zoe Ball, who is moving to host the weekday Radio 2 Breakfast Show. Rylan says: “I’m so excited and honoured to be joining the BBC Radio 2 family. After stepping in for the amazing Zoe Ball over the summer, working with her fantastic team...

Sara Cox to host Drivetime show on BBC Radio 2

BBC Radio 2’s Sara Cox is moving to the Drivetime show in the new year, replacing Simon Mayo and Jo Whiley. Trevor Nelson will also move around the schedule from weekends to weeknights, bagging Sara’s current 10pm till midnight slot Monday to Thursday. Sara said: “I’ve been proud to be part of the Radio 2 family for a few years now and the opportunity to present such a big show as Drivetime...

RAJAR Q3 2018: Record share of 52.4% for digital radio

Digital listening share has remained above the important halfway mark and increased from 48.8% to 52.4% in the last 12 months. Total digital listening hours grew by 5.4% year on year, or 27.5 million hours. DAB listening in cars accounted for 11 million hours (or 40%) of all digital listening growth, while listening in home via online/Apps accounted for 13.5 million hours (or 49%) of all digital listening growth.

RAJAR Q3 2018: London and national brands update

Nick Grimshaw left the BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show with half a million more listeners than a year ago – handing them to Greg James who took over the show halfway through the last quarter. The show now attracts 5.75m listeners (Mon – Fri) and is up 465,000 Year on Year. In London, Capital is back on top with almost 2,100,000 listeners according to Reach in the London commercial radio battle, as Kiss slips back under the 2m listener mark (1,958,000). Magic is in third place (1.5m) whilst Heart comes in 4th (1.4m). But BBC Radio 4 continues to lead the London Reach with 2.4m listeners.

Audio and Radio Industry Awards 2018 – winners

Podcasters, local radio and the independent sector challenged the big networked radio groups at this year’s Audio & Radio Industry Awards, picking up some of the evening’s biggest awards. The ceremony at the first direct Arena in Leeds saw podcasters picking up three of the big awards on the night, with Best New Show going to You, Me & the Big C; Best Specialist Music Show was won by Edith Bowman with her podcast, Soundtracking and Best Sports Show was...

Zoe Ball to replace Chris Evans on BBC Radio 2 Breakfast

Zoe Ball will take over as the new permanent presenter on the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show from 2019, Chris Evans has announced on-air. Chris announced a month ago that he was leaving the show and then revealed he was joining Virgin Radio UK from the New Year. A newspaper report two weeks ago suggested that Zoe had been offered the Radio 2 gig – to present Europe’s biggest radio show.

Will the BBC be on the Ball replacing Chris Evans?

Opinion: Howard Kosky, CEO & founder of broadcast specialists markettiers4DC, shares his thoughts on Chris Evans moving to Virgin Radio. It’s no surprise BBC Radio 2 is lining Zoe Ball up to fill the shoes of Chris Evans on the breakfast show. And what shoes they are to fill. Rumours Chris himself wanted a woman to replace him have been rife. More importantly, this is a perfect opportunity for the BBC to rack up some brownie points following...

BBC Radio 2 announces In Concert series for 2018

Fresh from a hugely successful Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park, BBC Radio 2 announces the full star-studded line-up for this year’s In Concert series. Artists on the bill are Paul Weller (1 November), Boy George and Culture Club (8 November), Ed Sheeran (15 November) Emeli Sandé (22 November), and Sir Cliff Richard (29 November). All artists are performing at the BBC Radio Theatre in London.

Zoe Ball in talks to replace Chris Evans at Radio 2

The BBC and Zoe Ball are currently negotiating over a new contract which will see Zoe take over from Chris Evans on the Radio 2 breakfast show. A report in the Sun says a contract is expected to be signed within the next two weeks which will see Zoe handed a significant pay rise. If Zoe refuses, it will be offered to Sara Cox. The report appears to be backed up by a quote from a BBC source, which says:...