Archive for March, 2007
Pirate radio targets UK
A new illegal radio station has commenced broadcasting from the North Sea, targeting a new generation of iPod-owning radio listeners. The station, which is transmitting a signal of non-stop pop music from the former British naval platform Sealand, is now live on 900 am and identifying itself as UK900.
Ex-Beat man gets Real
Former breakfast show host at Beat 106 in Scotland Paul Harper is the new mid-morning show host on Real Radio. Paul left Beat two years ago to travel the world, but returned to the area last month to present the evening jukebox.
Richard comes back to radio
Top Gear star Richard Hammond is returning to radio to host a series of programmes over the coming Bank Holidays on BBC Radio 2, starting with a music programme this Easter. His roots can be found in local radio, including stints at BBC Radio Cumbria, Lancashire and Leeds.
Cheshire FM launches on 92.5
Mid-Cheshire's community radio station, Cheshire FM, took to the airwaves at 8 this morning with [i]The Full Cheshire Breakfast[/i]. The station, set up by Wire FM founders David Duffy and Phil Houltby, was one of the last to be licensed by Ofcom in the first round of community radio awards.
LBC to promote Soya products
Chrysalis Radio’s LBC 97.3 has secured a sponsorship deal with the health food brand Alpro to promote the Soya-based product on its weekday lifestyle show with Jim Davis. The sponsorship, which aims to raise awareness of Alpro as a positive lifestyle choice, will run for three months.
TLRC trading within forecasts
The Local Radio Company trading in the last six months have proven to be "in line with expectations". Revenues from national sales, through the Group’s joint venture company First Radio Sales, have been exceptionally strong in the last three months, after a weaker first quarter.
BBC digital radio via 3G
The BBC is to trial the broadcasting of up to eight of its national radio stations via 3G mobile phones. Radio 1, 1Xtra, Radio 2, Radio 3, Radio 4, 6 Music, BBC7 and the Asian Network will be
available within a month to Vodafone, Orange and 3 customers who subscribe to their network's TV service. Radio 5 Live will not be available.
Northern community applicants
Seven groups have applied to run community radio services in North and North-East England, Ofcom announced today. Applications have come in from hopefuls in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Hartlepool and Sunderland, as well as two applicants in North Yorkshire and one each for Durham and Middlesbrough.
Two go for Herts DAB
There's competition for the DAB multiplex licence in Herts, Beds and Bucks. The regulator has received two applications to serve the area, from expected bidder NOW Digital and newcomer MuxCo Home Counties.
Radio folk needed for TV show
The television show Get Your Act Together is looking for a number of radio industry insiders and enthusiasts to watch and take part in a live debate on radio, centered around the fortunes of radio station Big L. Readers of RadioToday.co.uk are invited to take part.
Bar deal for GaydarRadio
QSoft Consulting, owners of the Gaydar portfolio, and Vince Power Music Group are joining forces to open Profile, a £1million joint venture in London’s Soho. Profile is home to 3 bars across 3 floors and will feature live broadcasts on GaydarRadio each day.
New Community Radio Award
Staff and volunteers from community radio stations around the UK gathered in Manchester at the weekend for the 2007 Community FM Conference. International development activist Zane Ibrahim announced the foundation of a major award scheme to recognise excellence in community broadcasting.
4 Digital questions NGW bid
The bid for the second national digital multiplex submitted by National Grid Wireless has been questioned by 4 Digital. The channel line-up includes two Channel 4 stations, of which C4 knows nothing about. It turns out NGW, if they won, would offer the space to 4 Digital to provide programming.
National digital bids submitted
Channel 4 (4 Digital Group) and National Grid Wireless are just two of the bids submitted to Ofcom today for the second Digital Multiplex licence designed to cover the UK, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. If 4 Digital are successful, they plan to launch 10 new stations, including a re-launched Talk Radio.
Mark Donaldson joins talk107
UTV Radio's talk107 has appointed sports journalist Mark Donaldson as Sports Editor. He has gained over 10 years experience in covering east coast football for Emap stations Forth 1 and Forth 2. Donaldson joins the station in May to lead the sports news output across the week.
Changes at BBC Cambridgeshire
BBC Radio Sheffield presenter Antonia Brickell is heading back to Cambridge to take-over the afternoon show. Starting in April, other changes include Peterborough based breakfast presenter Andy Burrows presenting a new 9am -10am programme for the whole county.
GCap's Core goes all request
GCap digital radio station Core is to turn in to an interactive jukebox from Saturday. The station, which has dropped all presenters, will invite listeners to text their requests and they will receive a text back with the time their song will be played.
Emap station 3c has ceased
Emap's digital country music station 3c has closed. A message on the station's website simply says 3c is no longer on air, and it has been a pleasure serving you. It then refers surfers to visit the website of an American-based country music station, Voice of Country.
Spire raises 15k for charity
TLRC station Spire FM in Salisbury, Wiltshire has raised £15,000 for its chosen charity of the year during the stations annual on-air auction. Over 90 lots were donated by local businesses, and all money collected went straight to Naomi House Children’s Hospice.
Watford RSL confirms licence
Community radio station Fresh FM in Watford have announced the dates of their next temporary broadcast. The station be be on-air from May 26th 2007 on 101.8 FM, and online. They eventually aim to secure a full time, five year community licence from Ofcom to serve Watford.
SPECIAL REPORT: Sony Awards
The BBC have once again taken the majority of this year's Sony Radio Academy Award nominations. The corporation have received 87 nominations compared with 47 for commercial radio. The BBC claimed all the entries for four of the categories, including Community and Comedy Awards, whilst commercial radio shone in the Competition Award with 4 out of 5 nominations, and 2 out of 3 for Digital Terrestrial Station of the Year.
Sony nominations announced
The nominations for the 25th Sony Radio Adacemy Awards have been announced at the CC Club in Piccadilly, London. This year will feature two new awards – The Internet Programme Award and The Lifetime Achievement Award. The full list of nominations follow.
Laser buys Fresh Radio
Fresh Radio in Skipton is now fully owned by Laser Broadcasting. The board accepted a six figure deal for the station which is currently moving from medium wave to FM at various parts of the Yorkshire Dales.
GCap appoints Deputy Chairman
Richard Eyre has been appointed Non-Executive Deputy Chairman and Chairman designate at GCap Media. In November 2007 Richard will take over as Non-Executive Chairman from
Peter Cawdron, who will remain on the board as Deputy Chairman.
Emap reviews Irish options
Emap has confirmed they are looking to sell their radio stations in the Republic of Ireland – national station Today FM, Dublin's FM104 and Highland Radio in County Donegal. In a trading update published today, the group said it expected difficult trading conditions to continue.
IRN's Ruth Hill dies
IRN newsreader and reporter Ruth Hill has died. Ruth worked in radio for many years and was one of the country's leading commercial radio newsreaders. She began her career in June 1975 as a reporter in Southport and was soon promoted to editor of the Southport Star.
Phil Johnson joins Cheshire
Good luck to Phil Johnson who is back in the northwest after a spell with Tindle Radio. Phil is joining Cheshire FM to host the breakfast show.
New Bristol station launches
A new community radio station has launched in Bristol today. BCFM started broadcasting at 12 midday on 93.2, aiming to serve all parts of the community including several programmes in different languages to truely serve all aspects of local life. The station is also streaming online.
Four GMG stars are born
Guardian Media Group have launched four Smooth Radio stations this morning – all playing A Star is Born by Barbra Streisand as the first song. The song has been used to launch numerous stations run by GMG Radio boss John Myers, including Century Radio and Smooth FM.
Speculation Emap will sell
More news has emerged today suggesting the break-up of Emap's radio division. The Scotsman reports private equity buyers are looking to take-over certain parts of the business, whilst the Sunday Business Post says Irish stations owned by the company could be sold to UTV.
