Archive for November, 2007
Radio 2 beckons for Beckham
David Beckham has signed up for a Christmas Day Radio 2 show. Listeners to the BBC national station are being invited to ring in and ask the former England team captain questions on the two-hour slot.
Yellow Card for Ocean FM
GCap Media's South Hampshire station Ocean FM has been issued a yellow card by Ofcom for not operating within its Format. The station has failed to play predominantly current Adult Contemporary tracks, instead concentrating on adult and alternative modern rock.
Paperless Studio wins award
Ex-Capital Disney breakfast presenter Matt James has beaten BBC Radio Five Live and BBC Radio 1 to win this year's Radio Academy Innovation Award. Matt's "Paperless Studio" service was voted the best technological innovation by delegates at the Radio At The Edge event in London.
Classic FM turns to whisky
GCap Media's national FM station has agreed a major deal to promote Grant's Whisky over the Christmas period. The online and on-air ads for its Scotch Whisky brand is part of a six-figure deal and starts tomorrow.
BBC reveals Olinda prototype
The BBC is working on a prototype for a new "future-looking" digital radio receiver called Olinda, which will combine DAB, wi-fi and social networking, and will allow users to see what their friends are listening to.
Xfm South Wales launches
Xfm has launched in South Wales. The GCap Media station was opened by Welsh band The Manic Street Preachers who played three live songs in the studio, which was also simulcast on sister stations in London, Manchester and Scotland.
Macquarie surrenders licence
Radio UK Holdings has given back the licence they won to serve Plymouth. The company, owned by Macquarie Bank Limited, won the licence in March 2006 and was expected to launch as Diamond FM next year. Rival bidders took the case to the government after the award objecting to the decision.
Stations urged to play song
UK radio stations are being urged to play a new track recently released in support of the GMFA this World AIDS Day. The track is called Lovers and Best Friends by artist Lee Thomas and is available for download only, with all proceeds going to UK gay men’s health charity.
Whoopi dropped from KTU
Whoopi Goldberg's syndicated morning show has been dropped from Clear Channel's WKTU in New York. A leaked memo to staff at the station said the show will end on Wednesday with no replacement yet found. However, Wake Up With Whoopi will continue as normal in other markets.
AM switch off is premature
An analogue switch-off in the next two years would be “premature”, according to talkSPORT’s chief executive. In an interview with RadioWorks, Scott Taunton says he believes the “thought of switching off services in 2009, given the number of sets that exist and the lack of DAB sets elsewhere would be premature”.
20 licences to be advertised
Up to 20 analogue commercial radio licences are set to be re-advertised by Ofcom during 2008. The extended licences will secure the mainstream use of FM for local radio until at least the end of 2015 – a date which could coincide with a possible analogue switch-off.
Wales DAB licence advertised
A new digital multiplex for Mid and West Wales has been advertised by Ofcom today. Potential applicants have until 20th February 2008 to submit their bids for the licence, which will be issued for a 12 month period and serve approx. 400,000 adults.
Listeners dig for diamonds
Cork's 96 and 103fm is asking listeners to go digging for diamonds, as planted by the radio station in a promotion with a local jewellers. Also one listener has already won a diamond with €3,000 in the competition, named The Diamond Heist.
1st birthday concert for Rock
Rock Radio is putting the final touches together for its first birthday in January. The GMG Radio station is planning to rock Glasgow with an exclusive gig featuring Logan, Doogie White and Toby Jepson, along with 700 listeners.
UK Radio hope for Xmas No 1
Radio stations across the UK will take delivery of a Christmas number one contender designed to rival the winning act from The X Factor. But this single, a copy of Shakin' Stevens hit Merry Christmas Everyone, has been recorded and produced by UK radio presenters.
Guest editors for Today show
BBC Radio 4 is hiring a range of guest editors for the Today programme between Christmas and New Year, including Dame Stella Rimington, former Director-General of MI5 and Damon from Blur. They join previous Today programme guest editors including Bono, Stephen Hawking and Yoko Ono.
Bridge walk for Tay charity
Two volunteers are set to walk the Tay Bridge twice to raise money for the Radio Tay Caring for Kids charity. Ashley Keith and Pauline Low are walking 9000 metres on December 2nd to raise money for the campaign which aims to help local underprivileged and needy kids.
IRN launches Content Extra
National news provider IRN has launched a new service to provide its 250 client stations with promotional audio and text. Content Extra allows PR companies to distribute their audio and press releases directly within the IRN news feed, and will be clearly marked so.
Rosan swaps Gaydar for GCap
Jason Rosan has left the breakfast show at digital station GaydarRadio. He has joined the podcasting team at GCap Media to co-present a new daily entertainment show called The Outcasts.
More BBC Radio for Trinidad
Listeners in Trinidad and Tobago can now hear the BBC's radio programmes 24-hours a day, seven days a week with the launch of BBC 98.7 FM. Audiences across both islands now have access to a wider mixture of BBC programmes including some tailored specifically for the Caribbean.
Emma Clarke – the truth
We've all talked to eager journalists desperate for a juicy story, which ends up misquoted and blown out of all proportion. Monday’s media frenzy about the London Underground voice-over Emma Clarke was just one of those times. Let us explain a little bit more.
Salford is our Silicon Valley
BBC Radio Five Live controller Bob Shennan has made favorable comparisons between the upcoming mediacity:uk in Salford and Silicon Valley. He said the BBC is looking forward to welcoming many more media related tenants to the area.
Digital Radio is in crisis
GCap Media's outgoing chief executive Ralph Bernard has spoken about his disappointment in the lack of commitment from Ofcom about the switch-off date for analogue radio. He has urged the Government to set a date to enable broadcasters to "make a business plan that makes sense".
GMG Radio confirms shortlist
GMG Radio has today confirmed the shortlist of agencies who will pitch for its media buying account in December. The current agency Brilliant will be joined on the shortlist by MediaCom, phd and MEC, MediaEdge and CIA.
Xfm helps rising stars
GCap Media's Xfm network has become the first official radio partner to the Orange Rising Star Award at the Orange British Academy Film Awards. Part of the deal means Alex Zane from the London breakfast show will sit on the panel of jurors.
Leeds crowned best BBC local
Radio Leeds won the BBC Station of the Year Award at the annual Gillards in Birmingham on Saturday evening. Stars including Simon Mayo, Jane Garvey, Michael Buerk, Jon Sopel, Jane Hill along with BBC Director General Mark Thompson and BBC Trust Chairman Sir Michael Lyons all attended the bash.
GCap shares continue to fall
Following chief executive Ralph Bernard's resignation from GCap Media this morning, shares in the radio giant have fallen over £40 million in a matter of hours. The group is now valued at less than £220 million, from just over £260 million this morning.
Ralph steps down at GCap
The man in charge of the biggest commercial radio group in the UK is stepping down. GCap Media chief executive Ralph Bernard will stay with the group in an alternative role, and remain in his position until a replacement is found.
Charity calendar for Peak FM
North Derbyshire's UTV station Peak FM has unveiled its annual charity calendar. The 2008 edition features amateur models, as seen in our picture, who were nominated by themselves, friends and family.
Star swears at Rock FM event
Former Hollyoaks actor Paul Danan was given a fixed penalty fine By Lancashire Police at Wednesday night’s Christmas Lights switch on in Preston City Centre. Police intervened when they witnessed Danan swearing at the event which was hosted by Emap's Rock FM.
