Radio News

Classic FM to air programmes for pets and owners

Classic FM’s Pet Sounds is returning this year to help anxious pets and their owners during the fireworks season. The feature, now in its third year, is hosted by weekend presenter and dog-owner Bill Turnbull. It will air on Guy Fawkes Night, Thursday 5th November, with a second programme on Saturday 7th November. Bill says he will play a selection of soothing and relaxing music, specially curated to help calm the nerves of the nation’s pets. There will also be dedications to listeners’ pets and advice from the RSPCA for any owners looking to reassure their animals...

Heart Xmas launches early for Christmas 2020

Global has started its annual festive radio station Heart Xmas early this year. The service is available on lots of local digital radio multiplexes across the UK rather than the national mux D1 used previously. The switch-on comes on the same day British Summer Time ends and more than 60 days before the big day itself. This year sees a slight name change, dropping the “extra” tag used in previous years as Heart extra changed to Heart UK in March...

Nothing But Thieves to play for Radio X

Indie-rock band Nothing But Thieves will play a stripped back gig for Radio X and Barclaycard competition winners. The event is happening at London’s Clapham Grand on Tuesday 10th November and tickets will be available to win in pairs. Under the current Tier 2 guidelines for London, winning pairs will have to reside in the same household or support bubble. Radio X Presents Nothing But Thieves with Barclaycard follows the ‘Best of Capital’s Summertime Ball with Barclaycard’, which saw Global deliver a two hour live TV show celebrating 11 years of performances from artists at Capital’s Summertime Ball...

Radio 2 challenges Joe Wicks to 24 hour workout

Joe Wicks will attempt to workout for 24 hours in aid of Children in Need on BBC Radio 2 this year. Appearing on Thursday’s Zoe Ball Breakfast Show, Joe announced his 24 Hour PE Challenge will start at 9.25am on Thursday 12 November, endeavouring to finish a day later at 9.25am on Friday 13 November. Joe will be at the BBC Studios in London and viewers can watch live on the Red Button and BBC iPlayer across the 24 hours. The final moments of Joe’s challenge on the morning of the BBC Children in Need Appeal day, from 9.05am-9.25am, will stream live on YouTube with schools up and down the country joining...

Richie Brave replaces Reece Parkinson on 1Xtra Talks

Richie Brave is joining 1Xtra as the new host of 1Xtra Talks, the hour-long Sunday evening show currently hosted by Reece Parkinson. 1Xtra Talks tells the stories of young people from across the UK with a range of topical and honest discussions on the issues impacting young people and the society they live in. Richie is a presenter, writer and broadcaster who most recently hosted 1Xtra’s podcast ‘1Xtra Talks Presents… Brave Conversations’ which explored and discussed the many different aspects of the Black experience. He has also previously appeared on Channel 4 and BET...

talkSPORT hires Troy Deeney for breakfast feature

talkSPORT has hired Watford striker Troy Deeney to join its breakfast show team. He will be a weekly regular at Breakfast with input into some live programming on the network plus talkSPORT’s podcast output. He will be alongside Laura Woods and Ally McCoist every Monday and will feature as a live football pundit across the season and continue playing for Watford. Troy will also write a new column for The Sun newspaper...

Opinion: Looking back at Local Radio Day 2020

“In a year when radio listenership is on the up but local radio choices have gone down Local Radio Day 2020 has found a new relevancy. Over 150 radio stations actively participated in this year’s event on Monday 12th October. At one point #LocalRadioDay was trending just behind #Lockdown when the prime minister was announcing new restrictions in parliament. This year’s theme, ‘Communities making waves: turning the tide on isolation’ drew on the inspirational stories that have emerged from a time of national crisis. The pandemic has highlighted the need to unite during isolation, to join meaningful and supportive networks, and local radio has proved an invaluable medium to facilitate to help make this happen...

Hype On The Mic returns to BBC Asian Network

BBC Asian Network’s Hype On The Mic returns to DJ Limelight and Kan D Man’s Friday night show this week. Hype On The Mic is a platform that began in 2018 and has continued to showcase performances from new and emerging British Asian rappers and MCs, as well as rap talent from all over the UK. With close to one million views on BBC Asian Network’s YouTube channel, the show hosted by DJ Limelight and Kan D Man aims to give underground talent an opportunity to showcase their skills on a major platform, while offering listeners a diverse spectrum of talent within the UK rap scene...

Europe’s Biggest Dance Show returns at Radio 1

Radio 1 is broadcasting Europe’s Biggest Dance Show for another year as nine radio stations come together for the event. Stations from eight different countries will air an eight hour dance music simulcast on Friday 23rd October. Annie Mac will kick the show off at 6pm on Friday 23rd October with a new mix from Danny Howard and a Hottest Record from one of Europe’s biggest dance music stars. The station’s first multi-nation dance simulcast of this kind took place in 2019 with a seven hour broadcast to an audience of over 18 million...

Naga Munchetty replaces Emma Barnett at BBC Radio 5 Live

Naga Munchetty is taking over from Emma Barnett in the new year as host of the mid-morning programme on BBC Radio 5 Live. The well-known television presenter will be on-air Monday to Wednesday from 10am till 1pm after guest-presenting on the station over the summer. Naga has been a regular face on BBC Breakfast since 2009 and will continue on the programme alongside her work for 5 Live. Naga said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining the 5 Live team. I have always wanted to work more in radio and after such an enjoyable experience presenting on the station recently, I jumped at this opportunity...