Radio News

Opinion: UK commercial radio presenter numbers could drop by more than 250

With news that Global is to introduce networked breakfast shows and have just a handful of local drive shows across Capital, Heart and Smooth, RadioToday’s Stuart Clarkson has done the maths on what it means for presenter roles across commercial radio. Our exclusive figures show that presenter numbers could drop by more than 250 if both Global and Bauer take full advantage of the recent changes in localness guidelines from Ofcom.

Musicians lead BBC Radio 3 spring schedule changes as Jess Gillam, Danielle de Niese, Mahan Esfahani and Sean Shibe join station

BBC Radio 3 announces a number of schedule changes and new presenter signings. A revamped Saturday schedule showcases the distinctive BBC Radio 3 musical offering and features a brand new weekly programme This Classical Life, fronted by rising star saxophonist Jess Gillam, who recently wowed audiences at the Baftas and was the highlight of the Last Night Of The BBC Proms in 2018.

Broadcasting Press Guild Awards 2019 nominations

BBC radio presenters Danny Baker, Lauren Laverne, Cerys Matthews and Paddy O’Connell have been shortlisted in this year’s Broadcasting Press Guild Awards. Comedian Romesh Ranganathan is also among this year’s nominees for the BPG’s Podcast of the Year award, acknowledging the growth and quality of streamed and downloadable audio. The 45th annual BPG awards, sponsored by Virgin Media, will be presented next month at...

KISS and Hits Radio join up for BRIT Awards show

KISS and Hits Radio will be broadcasting live from the BRITs this year with presenters from both networking joining together for a special show. ‘Live at the BRITs’ returns as a three hour show broadcast from 7-10pm on Wednesday evening. Hits Radio’s Sarah Jane Crawford and KISS’ new signing Tyler West will join to host the programme that will feature interviews with some of the event’s performers and nominees, as well as the biggest tracks from this year’s BRIT nominees.

Greg James is stuck in the Radio 1 Escape Room

BBC Radio 1’s latest on-air promotion started on Monday morning and sees Greg James locked in a room needing help from listeners to get out. Greg was taken away from his breakfast show before 8am, blindfolded and put in the back of a van. He later emerged in a locked room with a keypad on the door, requiring a six-digit code to open.

Anthea Turner joins Scala Radio weekend line-up

Bauer has confirmed the full presenting line-up for its new classical music station Scala Radio, with Anthea Turner, Alexis Ffrench, Luci Holland, Faye Treacy and Hannah Cox added to the schedule. They join names previously announced including Charles Nove at breakfast, Simon Mayo on mid-mornings, Sam Hughes on afternoons and Mark Forrest on drive.

Actor Cillian Murphy to host shows on BBC Radio 6 Music

Cillian Murphy is set to join BBC Radio 6 Music for a run of shows covering Guy Garvey. The Peaky Blinders actor will be on-air Sundays, 2-4pm, from 3 March until Summer 2019, whilst Guy takes an extended break to work on his next album. Cillian Murphy, also known for his roles in the films Dunkirk, Inception, The Dark Knight Trilogy, Breakfast on Pluto and 28 Days Later, says: “As a music lover, mixtape obsessive and long-time 6 Music fan I couldn’t be more chuffed to be asked to sit in for Guy on his hiatus.

Five MPs to guest present programmes on LBC

Five British MPs will join LBC next week to guest-present the station’s mid-morning programme. Anna Soubry, Emily Thornberry, Jess Phillips, David Lammy and Tom Watson will each host one of the 10am to 1pm slots between Monday 18th and Friday 22nd February, while regular presenter James O’Brien is on holiday.

Commercial radio ignored in Greatest Radio Shows list

The Radio Times has named what it considers to be the ’30 greatest radio shows of all time’ – but every single one is a BBC programme. The magazine’s new edition contains a six-page feature counting down the shows – from Radio 3’s Private Passions at number 30 to Desert Island Discs at number 1. But the feature has attracted criticism that no commercial radio shows are included. Former radio executive John Myers wrote on Twitter: “I’m sorry, but this is the most insulting and ill informed article on radio I’ve read in a long time."...

Global Awards hosts return for second year

Heart’s Rochelle Humes, Capital Breakfast’s Roman Kemp and Classic FM and Smooth presenter Myleene Klass will host The Global Awards once again this year. The ceremony takes place at London’s Eventim Apollo Hammersmith on Thursday March 7th featuring performances from Mark Ronson, Little Mix, Lang Lang, Blossoms, Mabel, Anne-Marie and more.