Radio News

Meg McHugh to Chill on Hits Radio Scotland Network

Northsound Radio presenter Meg McHugh is to host the Hits Chilled show across the Hits Radio Network in Scotland. From Sunday 4th August, Meg will take over the Hits Chilled segment every Sunday to Thursday from 10pm to 1am across Clyde 1, Forth 1, Tay FM, Northsound 1, MFR, West FM and Radio Borders, replacing Ryan Borthwick. Joining the station in 2017, Meg began her career as a travel reporter on Northsound before covering a variety of shows across the station.

Zoe Ball joins top earners list at the BBC

New BBC Radio 2 breakfast show host Zoe Ball has joined the BBC big earners top 10 list whilst Jeremy Vine took at £110k pay cut. Vanessa Feltz also makes it inside the top 10 list, which this year includes three women for the first time, along with Claudia Winkleman. Chris Evans is still in the list, as it covers the period from April 2018 to March 2019, so will only represent nine months of work. He got £1.25m for 150 editions of the Breakfast Show (or £8.3k per programme).

Nation Radio promotes local angle in Scotland

As Capital Scotland and Heart Scotland promote national breakfast shows, Nation Radio is going big on its local show. A giant billboard has been put in place advertising that Nation Radio is local from Scotland 24/7. The huge site – said to be the biggest advertising billboard in Scotland – measures 26m x 19m and overlooks the busiest motorway junction in Scotland at the M8/M77 merge, where more than 150,000 vehicles a day travel.

Original 106 opens new studios with a Royal visit

It’s been a busy week at Original 106 this week with new studios, the start of DAB broadcasts and a Royal visit. The Aberdeen station, which was recently bought by publishers DC Thomson, commenced broadcasting from its brand new studios and Marischal Square Aberdeen on Tuesday with Camilla, the Duchess Of Rothesay paying a visit to the new studios. Original 106 went live at 1.06pm, having relocated moving from its previous building in the south of Aberdeen city.

Fleur East, Greg Burns and James Barr for Hits Radio Breakfast

TV personality and singer Fleur East, former Capital and Heart presenter Greg Burns, and heat DJ James Barr are the new hosts of the Hits Radio breakfast show. Fleur, Greg and James will start the programme from Manchester, for Manchester, on July 12th – replacing Gethin, Gemma and Dave. Paul Gerrard, Programme Director Hits Radio said: “Fleur has a perfect radio personality with an infectious energy and naturally chatty style that we know our listeners will love.

Q Radio breakfast presenter Stephen Clements leaves

Breakfast presenter Stephen Clements has left Q Radio after eight years to join the BBC. Stephen announced his departure on Friday ahead of his last show on the Belfast-based station. He said: “Thank you to everyone who listened over the years……truly……chatting to you guys on air has been the BEST!! “I’ve made some amazing friends…..and worked with some incredibly talented people

More daytime schedule changes at Hits Radio

Sarah-Jane Crawford is moving from the evening show to afternoons on Hits Radio, replacing Debbie Mac. As a result, Jordan Lee, currently covering the evening show, will replace Sarah-Jane from 7pm weekdays. Sarah-Jane will also continue on The UK Chart Show every Sunday 4-7pm. All programmes will be broadcast on Hits Radio Manchester and across the Hits Radio network of stations. The changes come as Debbie Mac leaves the station today, just weeks after Gethin Jones departed the breakfast show.

Date set for Radiocentre’s Tuning In North event

Radiocentre has announced its next event, Tuning In North, taking place in Manchester. The morning event is happening on Wednesday 25th September at The Bridgewater Hall, bringing together radio stations, agencies and clients for a morning looking at the world of audio. Tuning In North will welcome ad execs and audio experts from across the north of England, who will hear about the latest trends and opportunities in radio and audio with a number of special guest speakers, who will be announced in the coming weeks.

Charlie Higson joins Scala Radio for new series

Actor, comedian, author and former singer Charlie Higson is to host a new series entitled ‘The Playlists’ on Scala Radio. Known widely as one the creators, writers and actors of The Fast Show, Charlie co-produced BBC Radio 4’s spoof series Down the Line, has also appeared in ITV’s Broadchurch, and in the 1980s featured in band, The Higsons. For his new five-part series, Charlie will be sharing samples of curated classical music playlists that have helped him find the right words and set the atmosphere for writing over the years.

Tom Odell to host new four-part series on BBC Radio 2

BBC Radio 2 has hired singer/songwriter Tom Odell to host a four-part series on BBC Radio 2. Produced by Wisebuddah, Around The Piano with Tom Odell sees Tom celebrate the role of the piano in shaping pop music over the last 60 years. During the four programmes, Tom takes the audience on a journey through the world’s most iconic piano-driven tracks – from Jerry Lee Lewis to Kanye West and Nina Simone to Harry Styles.