Latest news about BBC Radio 2

All the new radio shows starting in January 2019

Radio was alive and well in 2018 with numerous announcements on major changes to schedules, breakfast shows and more. Most of the news towards the end of the year revealed changes from January, so in case you’ve lost track, here’s the RadioToday guide to what’s new in 2019. January 2nd: Tom and Daisy start the new KISS FM UK Breakfast Show, whilst Neev returns to KISS mid-mornings, replacing Pandora...

Zoe Ball’s Radio 2 Breakfast Show team revealed

More details are emerging of the new Zoe Ball Breakfast Show starting on BBC Radio 2 in January 2019. The last Chris Evans Breakfast Show will take place on Christmas Eve, with Zoe Ball taking over on Monday 14th January at 6.30am till 9.30am. In addition to the start date, which is one week earlier than Chris Evans’ start date on Virgin Radio, we now know who the travel, weather and sport presenters will be.

Chris Evans Show to be advert free on Virgin Radio

The Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Virgin Radio will be free of commercials when it launches on January 21st 2019. Instead, a sponsorship deal has been agreed in principle between Virgin Radio UK and Sky to promote the television services on the radio. Listeners moving with Chris from commercial-free BBC Radio 2 will no doubt welcome the news. Virgin Radio says Sky’s sponsorship will provide investment to create branded content, competitions and events which will take the Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Virgin Radio to a whole new level.

Classic FM signs newsreader and presenter Moira Stuart

BBC Radio 2 morning newsreader Moira Stuart is joining Classic FM from February. Moira will be joining Tim Lihoreau on breakfast and then Classic FM’s morning programme with John Suchet to read the news each weekday. Then from July, Moira will join the weekend line-up to present her own Saturday afternoon show, Moira Stuart’s Hall of Fame Concert, replacing Nicholas Owen who will remain on Classic FM to present other programmes throughout the year.

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...