Radio News

Ofcom rejects XS Manchester’s request of format change

XS Manchester’s request of format change to rebrand as Capital XTRA has been rejected by Ofcom. The request was made last October by Communicorp (now known as CCUK) to change from a rock and speech service for 35 – 64-year-olds, to an urban contemporary music service featuring music of an Afro-Caribbean origin and was subject to a public consultation. Ofcom originally said it was minded to approve the change, which would have resulted in Global’s Capital XTRA service being broadcast on 106.1FM in Manchester, closing XS. There were over 70 individuals and organisations who responded, with all but two opposed to the proposed changes...

Coronavirus pandemic makes radio stronger than ever

Radio stations are reinventing themselves during the coronavirus pandemic and being rewarded with record online listening figures as a result. And a number of local commercial and BBC stations across the UK are stepping up their game with extra local content and interactivity with listeners. Some stations are reporting double-digit increases in online listening in recent weeks. Global says that there has been a significant increase in connected radio listening, with daily reach up 15% and hours up 9%, between 9-17 March. LBC displayed the most notable growth, with its daily reach growing 43% and listening hours increasing 17%...

BBC Radio stations unite for Great British Singalong

The BBC’s national music stations are uniting on Thursday for the Great British Singalong designed to lift the nation’s spirits. BBC Radio 1, Radio 2, 6 Music, 1Xtra and the Asian Network will come together at 9am this Thursday, with each station bringing along one song that they think the public will love to join in with, wherever they are. Greg James will be leading the singalong on Radio 1 with Dermot O’Leary (who is covering for Zoe Ball) on Radio 2, Lauren Laverne on 6 Music, Dotty on 1Xtra, and Harpz Kaur on the Asian Network. Ahead of Thursday morning, each station will be asking their listeners which track they should bring to the singalong, but the final song choices will lie with each of the presenters...

Alan Brazil cuts back at talkSPORT Breakfast

Long-serving talkSPORT breakfast show presenter Alan Brazil is to host the show on Thursdays and Fridays only going forward. The station has just announced Laura Woods will present the programme from Monday to Wednesday as a result. talkSPORT Breakfast will continue to feature Ray Parlour, Jamie O’Hara, Steve Harmison, Darren Bent, Jake Wood and former England manager Sam Allardyce. As part of a new two-year contract with talkSPORT, Alan will also be increasingly involved in live shows and events for the station as he closes in on his twenty-year anniversary...

Audio: Radio industry unites to thank the NHS

Radio stations all over the UK came together to thank NHS workers during the coronavirus pandemic. A mass applause, coordinated under the #clapforourcarers hashtag on social media, showed the country’s gratitude to all the nurses, doctors, GPs, carers and many others working tirelessly to help fight the virus. Industry body Radiocentre encouraged stations from every corner of the UK to take part, with stations including Heart, Capital, LBC, Hits Radio, Absolute Radio, BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 2 and 5 Live, and Nation Radio, encouraged their millions of listeners to join the applause at their windows, front doors and balconies...

Heart weekend radio changes as Vogue Williams joins

DJ, model and presenter Vogue Williams is joining Heart to host Sunday mornings starting this weekend. Vouge has starred in shows including her own documentary series ‘Vogue Williams – On The Edge’, plus the Channel 4 show ‘Spencer, Vogue and Baby Too’ alongside husband Spencer Matthews. “I’m absolutely over the moon to be joining Heart!,” Vogue told RadioToday. “Radio is so important right now, music is the ultimate mood-booster and my brand-new show is going to be packed with the most uplifting feel-good tunes. I can’t wait to get behind the mic every Sunday morning on Heart and hope you’ll join me!” ...

Radio 1 changes schedule during coronavirus crisis

BBC Radio 1 is making changes to its schedule during the coronavirus crisis so it can continue its output while helping presenters and staff protect themselves and others. The duration of daytime shows will increase, meaning fewer presenters will be in the studio throughout the day. Instead of five shows across the day 4am until 7pm, there will now only be four. A small number of presenters will therefore rotate each week. The new schedule will come into effect from Monday 30 March and will remain under review for the foreseeable future. Outside of daytimes the schedule will remain unchanged...

Temporary weekend schedule for Radio 6 Music

BBC Radio 6 Music will operate with an amended, streamlined weekend schedule, with longer shows starting this Saturday. The BBC says it is having to make temporary changes in order to keep schedules and stations going whilst dealing with unprecedented pressure on our resources, as a result of COVID-19. BBC Radio 1 and BBC Local Radio stations have already announced measures to streamline their schedules, whilst 5 Live is sharing programmes overnight...

Global radio stations join in with mass applause

LBC, Heart, Capital, Capital XTRA, Smooth, Classic FM, Radio X and Gold will pause for a mass applause to thank NHS workers this week. All the Global stations will join the show of appreciation at 8pm on Thursday 26th March, encouraging people up and down the country to stand and clap at their windows, front doors, balconies and in their living rooms. The call-to-action, which will amplify the sentiment of the online ‘Clap for our Carers’ campaign, was launched this morning at 0815 on-air...

Scott Hughes returns to Radio City for Breakfast

Former Radio City Drive presenter Scott Hughes is returning to the station to co-host Breakfast with Leanne Campbell. Scott joined the Breakfast team of Leanne and Dave on air this morning to make the special announcement. Dave Kelly is leaving the station this Friday for a new gig in the Cayman Islands. Scott Hughes told RadioToday: “I can’t wait to join Leanne on Radio City Breakfast. It’s always been on my bucket list to do this show as it’s so iconic to both the industry and the listeners. I can’t wait to be back on-air in the greatest city in the world! I’m absolutely buzzing.”...