Archive for November, 2009
Record release for Mike Read
Former Radio 1 presenter Mike Read is releasing a Christmas record with The Shooting Stars and donating all his profits to charity.
The song, called My Christmas Card to You, was co-written by Mike and is available now via HMV or online.
DAB in decline says UTV Radio
talkSPORT owner UTV Radio has responded to the announced by the Digital Radio Development Bureau that the cumulative UK sales of DAB digital radios have reached 10m.
But UTV Media GB managing director Scott Taunton tells RadioToday.co.uk that figures indicate that annual DAB digital radio sales growth has actually gone into reverse, and it could take 60 years to convert to digital radio.
Digital Radio sales reach 10m
Cumulative sales of digital radio sets topped ten million at the end of November. It took eight years to reach five million sales by 2007, but that figure has been matched in just two and a half years.
Similarly, it took radio makers PURE six years to reach one million sales by the end of 2006, though the company has just tripled that figure in the amount of sets sold.
Amazing Radio continues on DAB
Amazing Radio will continue broadcasting on the national Digital One multiplex, and move in to Century Radio's old studio complex in Gateshead.
Founder Paul Campbell announced the news on-air at midday today, just 12 hours before their six month DAB trial was due to expire.
Digital listening could be higher
The Chief Operating Officer of Absolute Radio has proposed that digital listening could account for a third of all radio listening in the UK.
Clive Dickens, writing exclusively for RadioToday.co.uk's weekly industry newsletter today, says whilst RAJAR reports 21 per cent of listening is via digital, there's an extra 12.8 per cent of unknown platform listening.
IRN goes football mad with Sky
IRN client stations had more than their fair share of audio to pick from last week with extra clips from Wembley.
Sky reporters Laurence Mora and Richard Suchet were on the scene as 15 cities submitted their bids to host matches as part of England's bid to host the tournament in 2018.
35 years of jingles for JAM
Dallas-based Jam Creative Productions is celebrating 35 years of making jingles for radio stations all over the world.
Owners Jon and Mary say they are proud of the work they have created for radio stations around the world, including BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2.
Ed Vaizey visits Brunel FM
The Shadow Minister for Culture and MP for Wantage and Didcot, Ed Vaizey, visited Swindon’s Brunel FM last Friday, 27th November 2009 at the invitation of YMCG’s Chairman Stephen Dexter.
BBC 5 live decks the halls
Annabel Croft, Didier Drogba and Jenson Button are part of the festive line-up on BBC Radio 5 live that also includes new documentaries, current affairs and comedy specials.
Croft hosts James – My Alcoholic Friend, tracking down James Brodie who she met while sleeping rough on the streets of London. While journalist Ian McGarry presents In Search of the Real Drogba.
BBC Radio 3 tries out iNews
BBC Radio 3 newsreader Alison Rooper had to revert to using her iPhone to read the news when the phone and computer systems at Television Centre went down.
Rooper, who was due to read her first bulletin at 7am, contacted her colleague Rachel Bulkeley and asked her to send the script through to her iPhone.
Robbie scoop for Sydney station
Sydney's 2DayFM is in the international headlines after Robbie Williams proposed live on-air to his girlfriend.
Robbie was taking part in an otherwise normal interview on the station when Ayda Field walked in the studio and Robbie popped the question.
Cambridge station could close
Less than a week after it was announced the first community radio station in the UK is to close, another community group has said it too will close unless extra funding is found.
Cambridge station 209radio will cease transmission by the end of the year unless the people of the city support it, the station said.
Corby Radio ready to launch
Corby will have a new community radio station next Saturday, as Corby Radio launches on 96.3 FM.
The town is already covered by local commercial station Connect FM, but is broadcasting from outside its TSA in Peterborough.
Heart takes Windows partnership
Heart is the second Global Radio station to start promoting the new Windows 7 operating system, with Capital FM already securing Microsoft sponsorship for its upcoming Jingle Bell Ball.
The promotion, on all 33 Heart stations, is fronted by the Sugababes.
More Manchester for Radio 2
A Manchester production company has produced another music documentary for BBC Radio 2.
Made in Manchester has been commissioned to make a two part series for the network about seminal US singer Huddie Leadbelly Ledbetter.
Absolute launch iTunes Tagging
Absolute Radio is the first radio station in Europe to launch iTunes Tagging on the iPod Nano.
The new service was announced on-air this morning, which will let listeners tag current playing songs ready to purchase later.
The service will launch in London only via the station's 105.8FM service, via a deal with Unique Interactive and Jump2Go.
First OB for Traffic Radio
Traffic Radio, the Highways Agency information service on DAB digital radio, is to stage its first outside broadcast at the BBC Good Food Show Live in Birmingham.
Clips recorded at the show, which started yesterday, will join the continuous loop of travel information.
Phil Wood joins The Revolution
Former Piccadilly Radio and BBC Radio Manchester presenter Phil Wood is joining The Revolution for a weekend show.
He joins his former colleague and owner of the Oldham-based station Steve Penk.
Planet Rock goes clubbing
National digital rock station Planet Rock is launching a monthly listener night, starting with an quiz at the Embassy Club in London.
Planet Rock is challenging listeners, record labels and PR companies to enter the quiz to end all rock quizzes.
Blue Revolution gets festive
Programming and production company Blue Revolution is turning festive with special programmes on offer for Christmas.
And radio stations around the world have signed up for extra content including two 8-hour specials with Emma B and Pat Sharp.
Sun shouts about Jedward chat
Online radio station SunTalk gave former X-Factor stars John and Edward their first live radio interview since leaving the show.
Presenter Jon Gaunt was joined by The Sun's Bizarre editor Gordon Smart to chat with the brothers.
Wave launches Cash for Kids
To mark the launch of its Christmas toy appeal, Wave 105’s Cash for Kids encouraged supporters to join its ‘Motorcycle Santas ride the Wave’ event.
Over 200 Wave 105 listeners and Cash for Kids supporters rode their motorcycles to donate toys.
Real success for Scotland team
The Real Radio Scotland Sales Team has scooped the Radio Sales Team of the Year for GMG Radio Scotland, at the inaugural Marketing Industry Network Awards.
The ceremony was held at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel in Manchester last week.
LSRfm wins Student Gold
The Student Radio Awards 2009 have taken place with LSRfm winning Best Student Radio Station and Best Student Radio Chart.
Students from the Leeds station also walked away with bronze for Best Male Presenter, Silver for Best Scripted Programming and both Bronze and Silver for Best Journalistic Programming.
Rock Radio promotes Kiss gig
GMG's Rock Radio has signed a deal to promote the upcoming concerts by rock band KISS.
The two classic rock stations, in Glasgow and Manchester, will exclusively offer tickets on their websites 24 hours before they go on general sale.
Cuts planned at BBC Radio Foyle
A campaign has been launched opposing to cuts at Londonderry station BBC Radio Foyle.
East Londonderry DUP MP Gregory Campbell along with business leaders and local residents are worried the station may eventually operate on a skeleton staff or even close.
Award for Key 103 Jobs Site
The company behind the jobs pages on Key 103's website has won the Best Regional Job Board Award at an industry bash.
The Key 103 Jobs Site was voted most prominent in the marketplace and the easiest site to use, with the best design.
Stations Sign up for Santa
Over 30 stations have signed up for Devaweb’s daily Santa updates, which start next Tuesday and run through until Christmas Day.
It's the second year the company has offered the service to UK stations, which includes custom audio for each client.
Belfield brings out the stars
Presenter Alex Belfield is offering his exclusive radio programmes to radio stations across the UK this Christmas, including interviews with Des O'Conner, Jerry Springer and Donny Osmond.
A number of commercial and BBC stations have signed up for the celebrity shows.
Original community station closes
The UK's first fully licensed full-time community radio station is to cease broadcasting at the end of the year due to lack of funding.
Forest of Dean Radio, which was awarded an Access Radio licence in 2002, will close at midnight on December 31st.
