A range of storytelling, reporting and production has been recognised at the latest Commercial Radio News Awards.
Coverage of a Sheffield school killing, a high-profile music interview and Scotland’s World Cup qualification were among the winning entries at the event, held at Sky’s west London campus.
Hits Radio South Yorkshire was named News Team of the Year for stations under 1.5m TSA, with judges praising its community focus and local storytelling. Its reporting on the murder of Harvey Willgoose also won Best News Story or Coverage, described as “powerful” and “emotional” across multiple stages of the case.
Times Radio took the equivalent award for larger TSA stations, earning recognition for “smart, informative and accessible” journalism, marking its first win at the awards.
talkSPORT secured Best Interview for its Noel Gallagher exclusive, while Clyde 1 won Best Sports Coverage for its programme on Scotland qualifying for the World Cup, noted for capturing national emotion through varied voices and reporting.
Micky Welch of Hits Radio North East was named Regional Newsreader of the Year for a third consecutive time, and LBC’s Helen Hoddinott won National Reporter of the Year.
The Gold Award went to Tim John, Managing Editor of LBC News and Global’s Newsroom, recognising his contribution to commercial radio news over two decades, including launching LBC News.
The winners list in full:
IRN Gold Award
Tim John
News Team of the Year (Over 1.5m TSA)
Times Radio News Team – Times Radio
News Team of the Year (Under 1.5m TSA)
Hits Radio South Yorkshire – Bauer Media Audio
Best News Story or Coverage
The Murder of Harvey Willgoose – Hits Radio South Yorkshire, Bauer Media Audio
Reporter of the Year (National)
Helen Hoddinott – LBC
Reporter of the Year (Specialist)
Fraser Knight – LBC and LBC News
Reporter of the Year (Regional)
Shivani Sharma – Global’s Newsroom Central Region
Best Sports Coverage
Scotland’s Greatest Night – Clyde 1, Bauer Media Audio
Best News Special
Lost Souls – Greatest Hits Radio, Bauer Media Audio
Best Interview
“I’m Proud of Him,” Noel Gallagher, Oasis Exclusive – talkSPORT
Newsreader of the Year (National)
Aileen O’Sullivan – KISS FM UK, Bauer Media Audio
Newsreader of the Year (Regional)
Micky Welch – Hits Radio North East, Bauer Media Audio
Newcomer of the Year
Molly Tulett – Clyde 1, Bauer Media Audio
Student Journalist of the Year
Chloe Sackur – City St George’s, University of London
IRN Editor and Head of Audio at Sky News, Dave Terris said: “Commercial radio news teams continue to put people at the heart of their storytelling by reflecting the lives of the millions of people who listen. This year’s entries demonstrated the importance of eyewitness journalism at a disruptive time for the industry and reinforced the strength of teams embedded in their communities telling the stories that matter. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees for raising the standards and ensuring the industry continues to thrive.
IRN Managing Director, Tim Molloy said: “Congratulations to the winners, runners up and other nominees who all deserve praise and recognition for their excellent entries, which together once again provided an excellent showcase of why radio news in these troubled times is the most trusted medium.”
What a night! A huge congratulations to all the nominees and winners – keep up the incredible work! 📻
Let’s do it all again next year ✨ pic.twitter.com/9dbWbCNUdm
— Commercial Radio News Awards (@IRNAwards) March 26, 2026