Radio News

Vick Hope announces Capital Breakfast departure

Capital Breakfast co-host Vick Hope has announced she is leaving the show and the station. Vick, who has presented the Capital Breakfast show along with Roman Kemp and Sonny Jay since 2017, hosted her final show last Friday and announced the news via social media. At the start of the show on Monday, Roman said: “You may have noticed that Vick Hope isn’t here today. It may come to you as a bit of surprise, but Vick has left Capital Breakfast.” He explained that Vick had left the show because she’s had some exciting TV opportunities and he’s really excited for her...

Ofcom receives 51 objections to XS Manchester change

The feedback to Ofcom’s consultation about the proposal to change XS Manchester to Capital XTRA sees 51 objections and two in favour. Of the two welcoming the news, one is a local music company whilst the other simply comments “Since the last rebrand it’s been a dreadful station, put it out of its misery, sooner the better.” But over 50 people took the time to write to Ofcom to help block the move. Some of the comments include: ...

Country Hits Radio partner with the Country to Country music festival

Following a partnership with Country to Country for Country Music Week in 2019, Country Hits Radio have now partnered with Europe’s biggest country music festival for their upcoming London event. C2C: Country to Country will take place at The O2 in London over 3 days next month, featuring some of the world’s biggest country stars along with emerging talent. The Country Hits Radio Sessions at Country to Country, will feature stripped-back sets from some of the most in-demand artists right now on the country music scene...

Bauer’s Paul Keenan announces Absolute Radio 20s

Speaking at Radio Days Ireland today (Thursday 20th February), Bauer Media President of Audio, Paul Keenan announced launch plans for another new decade station, Absolute Radio 20s. Paul was talking about the future of radio being digital and calling for the industry to prioritise innovation and product development, when he announced the new decade station which is due to launch online next week. Commenting on radio’s digital future, Paul said: “We must continue to reinvent how we work with a clear focus on innovation. With the growth of digital radio, and the migration of...

Radio 1 pulls another listener stunt with Greg James being ‘kidnapped’

On the 1st anniversary of Radio 1’s prank of putting Greg James into an escape room and asking listeners to help find him, they’ve pulled another one with Who’s Got Greg. There was a lot of media interest when Greg didn’t turn up for his breakfast show this morning (Wednesday 19 February) after a late night out at the BRITs, but as the day went on there was speculation that this could be another prank to hook listeners in. This was confirmed when Greg appeared on Scott Mills’ lunchtime show to reveal that after the awards he’d been blindfolded, bundled into a car, then taken to a secret location and was in a white room with only a single bed in it...

Bauer plans big night of radio coverage at BRITs

Bauer’s Hits Radio and KISS are broadcasting live from The BRIT Awards tonight as the event marks its 40th anniversary. Gemma Atkinson and Wes Butters’ drivetime show across the Hits Radio Network stations comes from backstage at the event, with breakfast presenter Fleur East chatting to nominees on the red carpet as they arrive. The networked evening show in England with Jordan Lee will then keep listeners up to date with the awards as they happen, while Callum Gallacher presents a BRITs special on the group’s stations in Scotland...

talkRADIO fined £75,000 for George Galloway comments

National digital station talkRADIO has been fined £75,000 after three complaints about former presenter George Galloway were upheld by Ofcom. The station will also have to broadcast a summary of the regulator’s findings, relating to comments made on air between March and August 2018. The first complaint related to a discussion on the poisoning of Yulia and Sergei Skripal in Salisbury, while the second and third concerned allegations of anti-Semitism in the Labour Party.Ofcom ruled last year that each of the three programmes failed to maintain due impartiality and had breached Rules 5.11 and 5.12 of the Broadcasting Code...

Oliver Dowden takes over as Culture Secretary

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has a new minister in charge, as Oliver Dowden replaces Nicky Morgan in the cabinet reshuffle. Mr Dowden is the MP for Hertsmere in Hertfordshire – home to the BBC’s Elstree studios – and was previously Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General. Nicky Morgan had served as Culture Secretary since last July, becoming Baroness Morgan following December’s general election so that she could continue in the role by taking up a seat in the House of Lords after she didn’t stand for re-election as an MP...

5 Live names Julie Cullen as new Managing Editor

BBC Radio 5 Live has appointed Julie Cullen from 6 Music as its new Managing Editor. She replaces Heidi Dawson, who was recently promoted to Controller of 5 Live, and will assist Heidi in shaping the editorial direction of the station. Julie is currently in the BBC 6 Music management team having worked at the station since 2002. At 6 Music, Julie has been a journalist, presenter, executive producer, editor and, most recently commissioning executive. Prior to joining 6 Music, she worked at BBC London as a journalist – and orignally joined the BBC on the Regional News Training Scheme...

Annie Mac signs up as Reform Radio ambassador

Manchester online radio station Reform Radio has appointed BBC Radio 1 presenter Annie Mac as its first ambassador. Annie’s role as an ambassador for Reform Radio will see her supporting and strengthening the work of the social enterprise, which uses the engagement of radio and music to work with young people looking for employment. On the appointment, Annie Mac says: “I’m really honoured to take on the role of ambassador for such a brilliant organisation as Reform Radio. The work it does is vital in charging up young people with the confidence they need to go out there in the world and...