Radio News

Music production album released for World in Crisis

Production studios around the world are creating music to use with coronavirus news updates. Beat Bakery in the UK has just released World In Crisis – an album created within two weeks in reaction to the pandemic. Shirlie Randall, Director at Beats Bakery told RadioToday: “We have found ourselves putting planned projects on hold as we react to the demand for news coverage and urgent reporting productions. It is impressive how the industry has reacted to working remotely and facing the challenges the lockdown has created, with it in most cases seemingly business as usual...

BBC Radio 2 names most played song of the decade

Pharrell’s Happy has been named the No 1 track in the Most Played Songs of the Decade programme broadcast on BBC Radio 2. Scott Mills counted down the Top 40 songs that have been played the most on UK radio and television since 2010, on Bank Holiday Monday from 2-5pm. Pharrell recorded an exclusive video message just for the programme in which he says: “Thank you, thank you. It is incredibly humbling to think that Happy is the most played song across radio in the UK for the past decade. “When I was a little boy hearing those letters, UK, and thinking about the culture and seeing all of my favourite artists that I loved as a child go over and perform big concerts and festivals – I just never ever thought that anything that I would ever do would be part of that history...

Virgin Radio to air Pete Mitchell tribute this weekend

A special show to celebrate the life and career of radio presenter Pete Mitchell, hosted by Chris Evans, will be broadcast on Virgin Radio UK on Sunday evening. Pete died suddenly last month, aged just 61, while out walking near his home in Stockport. His 34 years in radio as a presenter and producer had seen him work at stations including Piccadilly Radio, Key 103, Virgin, Radio 2, 6 Music and Absolute Radio. Perhaps most famous for his partnership with Geoff Lloyd on Virgin Radio in the 2000s, he’d most recently been making ‘Revolutions in Music’ documentaries for the new Virgin Radio...

Gary Barlow says thanks to BBC Radio Merseyside

Gary Barlow thanked BBC Radio Merseyside and all radio stations broadcasting during the coronavirus crisis in a chat with presenter Sean Styles. Speaking about his Crooner Sessions – where he duets with famous pals on social media to keep spirits up – Gary spoke of the importance of radio and entertainment in these times. He said: “It definitely makes a difference, everyone who is broadcasting right now – this is the time when they’re needed the most. It takes people out of the real world for that couple of hours that they’re listening – it’s such a lovely escape.”...

Andrew Flintoff joins talkSPORT for Breakfast

Former international cricketer Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff is joining talkSPORT to co-host Breakfast with Laura Woods Monday to Wednesday. Since retiring from cricket in 2010, Freddie has hosted several programmes on television and radio, including Top Gear and a weekly radio show on 5 Live. He also hosted a podcast with former footballer Robbie Savage and journalist and former table tennis professional Matthew Syed called Flintoff, Savage & The Ping Pong Guy and has won three Radio Academy Awards...

Government warned Commercial Radio stations could close

A number of commercial radio stations could close within months if help is not provided by the Government, the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Commercial Radio has warned. The group has written to key Government departments to request a package of measures to protect the commercial radio industry as the coronavirus pandemic continues. In letters to DCMS, the Treasury and the Cabinet Office, the cross-party group, chaired by Andy Carter MP, calls for special measures to protect the sector due to the essential public information it provides on both local and national levels during emergencies and crises...

Love Sport takes time out during coronavirus

Love Sport is taking a broadcasting break during the coronavirus outbreak by pausing all programmes. The national DAB station has told listeners about the change via a pre-recorded announcement from owner Kelvin MacKenzie, saying it was due to effects the evil COVID-19 virus. He says: “I am being forced to mothball Love Sport until there is a sign that normality has returned to the marketplace. “Thank you so much for your support and I hope to hear from you again very very soon.” ...

A Question of Sport finds new home on 5 Live

Long-running television sports quiz A Question of Sport is moving to radio as the coronavirus makes recording TV programmes almost impossible. Team captains Phil Tufnell and Matt Dawson will each be joined by one guest when the show starts on 5 Live this Saturday at 2pm. The series will be launching with four episodes initially. This Saturday Phil is joined by Dion Dublin and Karen Carney will be on Matt’s team. The programme will be made with all participants in their homes to observe social distancing guidelines...

Danny Howard takes Pete Tong’s slot at BBC Radio 1

BBC Radio 1 is launching a new Friday night schedule which will see presenter Danny Howard take over Pete Tong’s show. In return, Pete Tong will move to the 11pm till 1am show whilst Annie Mac continues to host 7pm till 9pm. Danny says: “The last two-and-a-half years on the late-night Friday slot have been the best years of my radio career so far and definitely some of the most fun! From co-hosts with the world’s biggest DJ’s to nurturing new talent from the ground up has been incredibly fulfilling and something I’m super proud of...

Nicola Sturgeon radio special for Bauer Scotland

Bauer has secured a one-hour special with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon for broadcast across the Hits Radio and Greatest Hits networks in Scotland. The First Minister will be joining Ewen Cameron from 9am to 10am on Friday 3rd April 2020 to answer questions from listeners and to respond to their most pressing issues and concerns about COVID 19 as well as providing the latest updates on the Scottish Government’s response. The ‘Scotland Cares’ campaign will also be under discussion as the First Minister highlights the initiative which was launched this week to encourage people to volunteer to help their communities, public services and voluntary organisations during the pandemic...