Radio News

BBC Radio 1 to air new chart programme on Sunday afternoons

A new show, The Official Chart: First Look, is being introduced to BBC Radio 1 in the historic Sunday afternoon chart countdown slot. The programme will be live from the BBC in Salford and produced by MediaCityUK-based indie Audio Always, each Sunday from 6pm till 7pm. The Official Chart: First Look will launch on July 14th hosted by Cel Spellman and Katie Thistleton, focussing on the Top 20 biggest tracks from data collected on Friday and Saturday, with the Top 10 played in full.

Ofcom throws out complaints about Heart’s format

Ofcom has decided not to investigate Heart staying within its format after a number of complaints were received. The seven complaints were assessed under the General Procedures for investigating breaches of broadcast licences at the regulator, but Ofcom decided not to pursue them. Because the reports were not investigated, we have no information on the details, only that they were all made between June 17th and June 30th 2019.

Heart’s Tom Evans returns to radio with BBC Sussex

Former Heart presenter Tom Evans, from the Tom, Nicola and Jack breakfast show on Heart Sussex, is joining BBC Sussex. Tom will cover a variety of programmes in the weeks ahead, including Breakfast and Afternoons.Mark Carter, Assistant Managing Editor at BBC Sussex told RadioToday about the signing: “Tom lives in Sussex and loves the county. He’s proved to be an extremely popular presenter with the local audience over the past few years, so I’m delighted to offer this opportunity of a return to the airwaves.”

Bauer gains approval to network breakfast shows

Ofcom has granted Bauer a number of Format changes to allow all of its stations to network all but three hours each weekday rather than the previous seven. UK commercial radio stations have been allowed to submit Format changes since the Localness Guidelines were amended last year, but Bauer has only just taken the steps required to allow this. Bauer can now share all programmes, with the exception of a three-hour show on weekdays (which doesn’t have to be breakfast), in the approved areas already suggested by Ofcom.

BBC Radio 1 announces The Lewis Capaldi Symphony

BBC Radio 1’s Clara Amfo announced that Lewis Capaldi is set to perform alongside the Manchester Camerata Orchestra as part of Radio 1 Presents: The Lewis Capaldi Symphony on Monday 5 August in Croxteth, Liverpool. The Scottish singer-songwriter is one of the biggest UK artists to emerge in the last year with his single Someone You Loved spending seven weeks at number one and recently being named biggest song of 2019 so far, whilst his debut album Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Extent sat at the top of the album charts for four weeks.

Gem to take Hits Radio strapline and night programmes

Gem in the East Midlands is now identifying itself as playing The Biggest Hits, The Biggest Throwbacks, in line with Free Radio in the West Midlands and the Hits Radio network. Former Gem Radio presenter Jennie Longdon will return to the station, as she currently hosts Hits Chilled on the Hits Radio network of stations, which starts on Gem tonight (Monday). Hits Chilled on Gem will replace the local automated Wind Down Show from 10pm to 1am, Sunday to Thursday evenings...

Geoff Lloyd interviews Ed Miliband for Union JACK

Geoff Lloyd is putting his Reasons to be Cheerful podcast partner Ed Miliband in the hot seat for the season finale of his Union JACK series. Ed will be Geoff’s guest for the last Hometown Glory episode of the current run. The show will be broadcast on Union JACK radio at 11am on Saturday 13 July, and will then be available as a podcast immediately after. Giles Gear, Programme Manager at Union JACK radio, said: “Hometown Glory has seen some of the country’s finest comedians and quirkier famous faces interviewed on Union JACK with"...

Kirsty Young steps down from Desert Island Discs

Kirsty Young is leaving BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs after 12 years as host. Since 2006, Kirsty has presented 496 episodes of the programme as well as fronting the programme’s 70th and 75th anniversary celebrations. Lauren Laverne, who has been hosting the show in recent months, will continue to host Desert Island Discs for the foreseeable future as planned. Kirsty Young said: “After 12 incredibly happy and fulfilling years on Desert Island Discs I’ve decided to step down permanently.

Love Island winner Dani Dyer joins Capital

Dani Dyer is joining Capital to co-host weekend breakfast this summer. Starting this Sunday July 7th, the Love Island 2018 winner will join Capital’s Rob Howard every Saturday and Sunday from 11am – 12pm. Dani has covered a few times before with previous guest presenting stints. Dani said: “I’m super excited to be joining the Capital team for the summer! I always have so much fun when I’m on Capital and it’s going to be such a laugh presenting with Rob.

Mark Wright returns to weekends on Heart

Mark Wright is back in the UK and is returning to Global to host a weekend show on Heart from July 6th. He’ll be on-air across the network each Saturday afternoon from 4pm till 7pm. Mark left Heart in December 2017 and has been working in LA for the last 18 months. He originally joined in December 2012 to host Club Classics every Friday and Saturday night. James Rea, Managing Editor of Heart told RadioToday: “Mark is the perfect host for Saturday evenings on Heart"...