Archive for June, 2012
Breakfast schedule changes at Classic FM
Tim Lihoreau has taken over as the new presenter of Classic FM’s More Music Breakfast.
He’s replaced Mark Forrest who has since turned up on Global Radio’s new purchase Smooth Radio covering weekend programmes.
Northeast radio stays local for floods
Local and regional radio stations in the North East of England dropped network programmes or provided extra local content this evening in reaction to the floods.
Metro Radio and Capital FM continued their drivetime shows, BBC Newcastle provided local rolling speech and Real Radio, whilst in network programmes, provided local information and travel bulletins.
Apple gives radio podcasting a boost
Subscribing and listening to podcasts on iPhones and iPads just got easier with a new official Apple App.
The Podcasts app is a new free product from Apple which integrates into current subscriptions in iTunes.
Classic FM celebrates 20 years on-air
The UK’s first national commercial radio station turns 20 this September and is celebrating with a special concert at the Royal Albert Hall.
The evening will be broadcast live with hosts John Suchet and Margherita Taylor.
Featured Article: An NRS Media Report
NRS Media Reports: Number one reason local direct advertisers are leaving you – Poor Customer Service!
The standard reasons for leaving given to radio sales people by local direct advertisers are “Radio does not work” “the campaign didn’t work for us” or “we didn’t feel the benefit from the money spent.” However, research with more than 500 UK based radio advertisers shows that these are more likely excuses. The top reason is actually because the advertiser hasn’t had enough face to face contact and been made to feel special enough by the Sales Person. In other words, their customer service is poor.
Heart presenter attracts national media
Lucy Horobin, one half of Heart’s breakfast team on the South Coast, has been in the headlines this week.
She’s appeared in over 300 articles after the Mirror ran a revealing story about her last Sunday.
London radio volunteer gets on his bike
A volunteer from a Hospital Radio station has broken a personal record and raised over £340 for his station by cycling from London to Scotland.
Charles Biggie is a volunteer at Radio Northwick Park, a charity that broadcasts to local patients.
Go Digital summer campaign launches
Don’t miss a thing of the amazing summer of music and sport with digital radio.
That’s the message of the summer digital radio communications campaign that is being launched on Saturday 30 June by both BBC and commercial radio.
Stars & celebs line up for the Arqivas
We’re just one week away from finding out who’s winning what at the Arqiva Commercial Radio Awards for 2012.
The event takes place in London on July 4th, and the entertainment will be provided by the Noisettes, girl band Stooshe and X-Factor’s Misha B.
Manchester gets new Jazz radio station
A jazz radio station will launch next month to cover the Manchester Jazz Festival.
The obviously named Manchester Jazz Festival Radio will broadcast online powered by the on-demand music service Deezer.
Made in Manchester tracks Path to London
Indie Made in Manchester is to tell the story of some of the GB athletes who have had to adapt to Paralympic sport following life-changing accidents.
The special hour long programme will be broadcast this Sunday on BBC Radio 5live at midday.
Radioplayer opens up for all stations
Radioplayer is to open up its service to non-Ofcom licensed stations, but initially only 30 slots are being offered.
Any stations interested in joining – for a fee – can fill out an application for review.
Police helps IOW Radio during chaos
During the recent travel chaos on the Isle of Wight, the local commercial radio station had a police officer giving live updates for listeners.
Isle of Wight Radio welcomed the co-operation and have been thanked by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police.
Ronnie Wood welcomes Sir Paul McCartney
Absolute Classic Rock will welcome Sir Paul McCartney as a guest on The Ronnie Wood Show.
The interview was first broadcast yesterday on Sky Arts but will form part of a special show with Ronnie on Sunday 29th July.
Tributes paid to former BBC Radio 2 host
The former Radio 2 broadcaster Don Durbridge has died in Spain after a short illness. He was seventy three.
Don first broadcast to the nation in 1955 at the age of sixteen as co-host of the BBC Light Programme’s Younger Generation.
Radio groups oppose Global domination
Several radio groups have voiced their concerns over the takeover of GMG Radio by Global Radio.
Bauer says it could be bad news for commercial radio, whilst UKRD says it could lead to the eventual collapse of Radio Centre as a trade body.
GMG Radio sale: Look back at group’s history
Following the sale of the radio division by Guardian Media Group, we take a look at Guardian’s involvement in our industry over the last 13 years.
The purchase by Global Radio brings to a close a period of the industry which saw investment in personality-led music commercial radio and documentaries aimed at rivalling the BBC.
GMG Radio sale: How Heart could expand
Today’s news that Global Radio is buying the radio assets of the Guardian Media Group could lead to the end of the decade-old Real Radio brand and the expansion of Heart.
But where did Heart come from and where could it go?
Global Radio purchases GMG Radio
GMG Radio has been sold to Global Radio for an undisclosed sum, thought to be around £70m.
After weeks of speculation, the announcement was made this morning, which is likely to mean Real Radio will become Heart across Wales, Scotland and the north of England, but this as yet is unconfirmed.
GMG Radio sale: The emails to staff
Following this morning’s announcement that Global Radio has bought GMG’s radio division, we bring you the detail sent to staff in both groups.
Greg James eyes up Radio 1 Breakfast
BBC Radio 1 drive-time host Greg James says he would like to host the breakfast show on the station.
But he doesn’t want his colleague and friend Chris Moyles to get the sack.
Metro advertise on rival’s Facebook page
Metro Radio has launched an advertising campaign aimed at taking listeners away from cross-town rival Capital FM.
Former Capital breakfast presenters Steve and Karen are now on Metro, and at the centre of the creative.
John Myers receives honorary fellowship
Carlisle-born radio executive John Myers is to receive an honorary fellowship of the University of Cumbria for his outstanding contribution to radio.
He will also become a visiting professor.
Smooth Radio returns to Liverpool waterfront
Smooth Radio is to hold another evening of music and entertainment on Liverpool’s waterfront.
The free gig, which has room for 8,000 people, will see performances from Nell Bryden, Russell Watson & Paul Carrack.
5 live hires former Wimbledon champion
Former men’s Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek is joining the BBC Radio 5 live team for Wimbledon 2012.
The 1996 winner will be joined in the commentary box by Pat Cash, who himself won the tournament 25 years ago
BBC Trust: Radio 1 fails to meet targets
Radio 1′s core audience is still too old, despite changes made to output following a change of wording in the station’s service licence three years ago.
The BBC Trust says the median age of listeners to Radio 1 is 30 – but it is supposed to be aimed at 15 to 29 year olds.
Gold-winning Sony Award entries go online
The audio entries from all of this year’s Gold winners at the 2012 Sony Radio Academy Award is to be put online for people to listen to during July.
The Radio Academy says it has come to an arrangement with PPL and PRS so that the winning entries can be streamed, although they won’t be available for download.
RadioToday summer magazine out now
The Summer 2012 edition of RadioToday THE MAGAZINE has been arriving at radio stations across the UK this week.
In our second issue, we focus on last month’s Sony Radio Academy Awards with a photo special and interviews with big winners – including Kiss and BBC Radio 6 Music.
Hadley, Kershaw & Decker join Absolute 80s
80s singers Tony Hadley, Nik Kershaw and Carol Decker have all signed up to present shows for Absolute Radio’s digital station playing music from the decade.
Former Spandau Ballet frontman Hadley will host an 80s Party on Saturday nights from 21st July, while Kershaw joins the station for a month to present an hour each Sunday evening through July.
PURE parent company profits up 53 percent
The company that owns digital radio manufacturer PURE has reported an increase in profits of more than 50 percent.
Imagination Technologies made £36.8m before tax in the year to 30 April 2012, with revenues up nearly a third to £127.5m.
