Radio News

Here’s how Times Radio sounded on Day One

News UK’s new national radio station Times Radio launched on schedule at 6am on Monday 29th June 2020. Radio professionals have given the service a mostly warm welcome, with executive David Lloyd blogging about a successful first day. He said: “You should never judge a station on the first day, but it’s probably fine to congratulate Times Radio on a thoroughly decent debut. Were I in charge, I would be smiling broadly and shaking hands or kicking toes or whatever we’re supposed to do these days. “It’s a thoroughly listenable offering, with a friendly, authentic, human approach – one of the toughest things to get right. Well done.” ...

Ahmed Hussain named Head of BBC Asian Network

The Head of Prison Radio, Ahmed Hussain, has been appointed to run the BBC Asian Network radio station. He has previously worked as a producer at Radio 1, 1Xtra and the Asian Network, after beginning his career on pirate and community radio stations in east London. Ahmed has also been a trustee of the Radio Academy for the last few years and after previously being on the industry’s ’30 Under 30′ list is now helping to judge the latest search for young talent. He will take up the new role at the BBC from 1st August, leaving Prison Radio where he has been overseeing the radio provision to more than 112 prisons across England and Wales since September 2016...

Diversity duo replace Tom & Daisy on KISS Breakfast

Jordan Banjo and Perri Kiely, two original members of the dance group Diversity, are taking over the breakfast show on KISS. Tom Green is leaving the station whilst Daisy Maskell moves to breakfast on KISS Fresh from July 13th. Jordan recently co-hosted The Greatest Dancer’, while Perri placed as runner-up on this year’s ‘Dancing on Ice’. They are both presenters together on Nickelodeon too. Jordan and Perri said “This is major!! The minute we stepped into KISS last year, it felt like coming home. We grew up listening to the station, vibing off the playlist and we feel it just ‘gets’ us. We couldn’t be anymore gassed to get to host the Breakfast show in an exciting new era for KISS.” ...

Alex James moves from Hits Radio to XS Manchester

Hits Radio presenter Alex James is joining XS Manchester to host the breakfast show from July 6th. Alex has been on-air in the North West for 15 years, with stints at Key 103, Radio City, Real and Century. He’s also presented on Kerrang! Radio and hosted Bauer’s networked evening show In Demand. He says: “I can’t wait to get started on XS Manchester Breakfast – finding out what’s going on in our listeners’ lives, keeping an eye over everything that’s going on in and around Manchester and of course with loads of the best music to start the day in the world’s greatest city.” ...

Comedian Kiri Pritchard-McLean joins BBC Radio Wales

Welsh comedian Kiri Pritchard-McLean is hosting a new radio programme on BBC Radio Wales. The station says Kiri will provide great music, entertainment and company for your Saturday afternoons for the next seven weeks. Kiri said; “I cannot wait to start my show on BBC Radio Wales. It’s Saturday afternoon so perfect listening for people in the car off to do the big shop and people doing the walk of shame – my ideal audience!” Joining Kiri will be an array of special guests across the seven weeks, kicking off with fellow comedians Stephen Bailey (Live at the Apollo) and Tez Ilyas (Man Like Mobeen)...

Ross Kempsell makes Wireless return with Times Radio

Former talkRADIO, talkSPORT and Virgin Political Editor Ross Kempsell is returning to Wireless to become Special Correspondent for Times Radio. Ross left the group a year ago to take up a role as Policy Adviser to the Prime Minister in the Downing Street Policy Unit. The move into politics followed a high profile interview during which Boris Johnson revealed he likes to paint model buses in his spare time. Ross’ new job at Times Radio, which launches later this month, will see him covering home affairs, policing, crime and security, defence, social policy and the NHS. He will also work on exclusive stories and investigations for the station...

Hits Radio networking starts on new Bauer stations

Bauer’s newly acquired local radio stations are starting to introduce Hits Radio Brand programming from Monday 15th June 2020. The on-air changes start today at the Wireless stations becoming part of the Hits Radio network – Signal 1, Pulse 1 and The Wave (Swansea) – which will get new imaging, production, jingles and playlists to reflect the new status. For those stations, a new Chilled network show will air from 10pm till 1am with Hattie Pearson (Sunday – Thursday) and Scott Clarke (Friday & Saturday) and new additions to the weekends include the UK Chart Show on Sundays with Olivia Jones...

Nigel Farage to leave LBC with immediate effect

British politician and radio host Nigel Farage is leaving LBC with immediate effect, the station has announced. He joined the Global station in 2014 to take calls during Nick Ferrari’s breakfast show in a segment called Phone Farage and went on to host his own daily show in 2017. An LBC spokesperson said: “Nigel Farage’s contract with LBC is up very shortly and, following discussions with him, Nigel is stepping down from LBC with immediate effect. “We thank Nigel for the enormous contribution he has made to LBC and wish him well.” ...

talkRADIO and talkSPORT to share overnight shows

talkRADIO’s overnight presenter Darryl Morris is moving to weekends to allow talkRADIO and talkSPORT to simulcast 1am till 5am. Current talkSPORT presenter Paul Ross will be heard across both stations, both of which transmit nationally on DAB. Darryl was hired by talkRADIO just nine months ago but has announced he’ll be hosting weekend early breakfast instead, starting in a few weeks time. He said the money-saving decision will have been made easier in the knowledge that Paul is such as brilliant broadcaster, and thanked his overnight listeners for being his friend...

BBC Local Radio to showcase creative work in Upload Festival

BBC Local Radio is to team up to broadcast a weekend festival featuring comedy, spoken word and drama from budding creatives around England. The Upload Festival over the weekend of 19th to 21st June will include a main performance at 9pm each night across all 39 local radio stations in England and the Channel Islands, which will also be available to watch in-vision online. Acts will appear live via webcam from home or as recorded videos of their sketches or performances...