Radio News

Eighties are the new seventies at Pirate FM

Pirate 70s has been removed from DAB in Cornwall and replaced by a new sister station – Pirate 80s. UKRD is continuing to operate Pirate 70s but online only, whilst Pirate 80s has launched with a full schedule of presenters this week, syndicated with Eagle 80s. The line-up includes Simon Rose on Breakfast, Ben Fry during the day and Chris Wright on afternoons, with Pat Sissons on weekends.

Santa returns with updates for radio stations

Daily Christmas updates voiced by Santa Claus from the North Pole are available once again this year for radio stations around the globe. Santa’s Christmas Updates provides listeners with information on how preparations are going for the big day, provided in one-minute long segments by Devaweb. The content is written to be entertaining to adults and children alike, delivered with custom intros and promo elements.

Newly announced Newsbeat presenters say reading bulletins on BBC Radio 1 is 'dream come true'

BBC Radio 1 has named two new presenters for Newsbeat, with the pair saying it is a “dream come true” to present the regular news bulletins. Ben Mundy will read out the 12.45pm and 5.45pm bulletins from Monday to Thursday. He replaces Chris Smith who has taken a role off-mic. Morning bulletins will be read by Roisin Hastie during the Radio 1 Breakfast show with Greg James.

Kenny Allstar replaces DJ Semtex at BBC Radio 1Xtra

Kenny Allstar is starting a new Friday night show on BBC Radio 1Xtra, 9pm till 1pm, replacing DJ Semtex. DJ, producer and broadcaster Kenny Allstar has been honing his craft, working with the likes of Ghetts, Hardy Caprio, Mike Skinner, Headie One, M Huncho, Aitch and more. Kenny is across everything and everyone in the hip-hop scene, from rap to grime to drill to afro swing and the station says...

Government to consider next steps for digital radio

The minister responsible for radio has told the radio industry it should continue to work together as the government reviews the future for digital radio. Margot James MP was speaking on a video shown at the Drive to Digital 2018 conference held at the British Museum in London. The Minister for Digital and Creative Industries at the DCMS told the 300 delegates representing broadcasters, car manufacturers and retailers that “outstanding collaboration” would support a successful digital radio transition.

Will the BBC be on the Ball replacing Chris Evans?

Opinion: Howard Kosky, CEO & founder of broadcast specialists markettiers4DC, shares his thoughts on Chris Evans moving to Virgin Radio. It’s no surprise BBC Radio 2 is lining Zoe Ball up to fill the shoes of Chris Evans on the breakfast show. And what shoes they are to fill. Rumours Chris himself wanted a woman to replace him have been rife. More importantly, this is a perfect opportunity for the BBC to rack up some brownie points following...

Chris Burns appointed Head of BBC Local Radio

Chris Burns, current Chief Operating Officer within the Deputy Director General’s Group, has been appointed as Head of Local Radio at the BBC. Chris is currently Chief Operating Officer within the Deputy Director General’s Group. She started her career in Radio and has worked in local radio, network, commercial and chaired the Radio Academy for three years.

Bauer stations to drop Vodafone Big Top 40 show

Bauer is pulling out of the industry-wide Vodafone Big Top 40 show when its contract runs out in December. As a result, Global has informed all stations currently taking the show, including those owned by UKRD, Wireless, Quidem, Lincs FM Group and Nation Broadcasting, that it has been forced to withdraw the chart from syndication.

BBC Radio 2 announces In Concert series for 2018

Fresh from a hugely successful Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park, BBC Radio 2 announces the full star-studded line-up for this year’s In Concert series. Artists on the bill are Paul Weller (1 November), Boy George and Culture Club (8 November), Ed Sheeran (15 November) Emeli Sandé (22 November), and Sir Cliff Richard (29 November). All artists are performing at the BBC Radio Theatre in London.

Zoe Ball in talks to replace Chris Evans at Radio 2

The BBC and Zoe Ball are currently negotiating over a new contract which will see Zoe take over from Chris Evans on the Radio 2 breakfast show. A report in the Sun says a contract is expected to be signed within the next two weeks which will see Zoe handed a significant pay rise. If Zoe refuses, it will be offered to Sara Cox. The report appears to be backed up by a quote from a BBC source, which says:...