Year: 2024

Bauer is dropping regional programmes from its Greatest Hits Radio service following a change in legislation, with Kate Thornton lined up for the new networked afternoon show across Great Britain.
In addition, local mid-morning shows on Hits Radio Bristol and Hits Radio South Coast will end, as Tom Green’s show goes fully networked across Hits Radio from November 4th.
Affected presenters include Heidi Secker, John Marshall, Mark Collins, Andy Goulding, Martin Starke, Scott Temple & Holly Day, Steve Priestley, Tony Wright, Stuart Webster, Jason Webster and Jono Holmes.
Heidi Secker (GHR East) and Jason Webster (Hits Radio Bristol) will broadcast their last shows on Friday 25th October with the other Greatest Hits Radio presenters finishing on Thursday 31st October and Hits Radio Dorset’s Jono Holmes on Friday 1st November.
Andy Goulding will be networked on Greatest Hits Radio afternoons from Friday 1st November until Friday 8th November before Kate Thornton starts.
Scott Clarke will be networked on Hits Radio mid-mornings from Monday 28th October to Friday 1st November whilst Tom Green covers Breakfast next week.
Alongside these on air changes, Bauer will shortly be exiting buildings in Bristol and Norwich.
The moves follow the new Media Bill coming into law just last week, allowing radio stations greater flexibility on where programmes are made, and what type of music they play.
Quotes
Kate said: ‘What an honour to be trusted with the reins of the afternoon show on Greatest Hits Radio! I’ve loved being a part of the weekend family here for over two years now so it’s a real privilege to be coming to weekdays and spending three hours a day with our ever-growing army of fabulous listeners. I can’t wait to get started and look forward to you all joining me for a chat, a good laugh and some great music from this November.’
Greatest Hits Radio’s Network Content Director, Andy Ashton said: ‘Greatest Hits Radio has already proved to be a game-changer for daytimes on commercial radio and our ambitions don’t stop there. I’m delighted that Kate, a hugely talented and already popular broadcaster with our audience, will be coming to afternoons on the station. We look forward to her bringing the greatest story telling, wit and energy to weekday afternoons, plus of course the biggest songs of the 70s 80s and 90s’
Gary Stein, Director of Audio said: ‘I want to take this opportunity to thank all of those who have been part of the Greatest Hits Radio and Hits Radio story for their great work on their respective shows. As a business we’ve been lucky to work with some incredibly talented and passionate broadcasters and I wish them all the very best for the future.’
Greatest Hits Radio and Hits Radio shows will retain local news, travel, weather and continue to work closely with local clients and businesses. In addition, the stations will continue to support local vulnerable and disadvantaged children through Cash for Kids.
Here are the current regional shows on Greatest Hits Radio

South West & South Wales: Tony Wright
Cornwall: Scott Temple and Holly Day
South: Martin Starke
Dorset/Solent: Mark Collins (plus Rick Jackson at breakfast)
East: Heidi Secker
Yorkshire: Steve Priestley
Lincolnshire: John Marshall
NE/NW/Midlands/national: Andy Goulding
Scotland: Webster (plus Ewen & Cat at breakfast)

Radiodays Europe is happening in March 2025 – use code RTY25ATH to get a discount and join us in Athens! More..

#mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width: 600px;}
/* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.
We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ […]

Nearly half of the UK have listened to a podcast in the past week according to new data from Acast and Nielsen.
New data reveals that 42% of the British public have listened to a podcast in the past seven days and 21% listen at least once a day – highlighting the medium’s growing influence and reach.
This surge reflects changing consumer behaviours, where on-demand content is increasingly preferred for its convenience, variety, and accessibility.
Over half of monthly podcast listeners (51%) have watched a video podcast in the last seven days, and 37% of listeners in the UK actually prefer podcasts that include video.
Josh Woodhouse, Regional Managing Director, UK & Ireland, notes, “Podcasting has transitioned to a mainstream media channel in an incredibly short time. Our latest findings underscore the importance of podcasting as a popular entertainment medium and a powerful advertising platform. It’s clear that podcasts are not just keeping pace with traditional media but setting new standards for how content and advertising can interact in a digital age.”
The full 2024 Podcast Listener Landscape report from Acast is available by emailing sales.uk@acast.com
Data is from Nielsen who conducted a study between 16th and 23rd August 2024 to n=2,000 people in the UK, where n=1,003 are Nationally Representative and a further n=993 are monthly podcast listeners.

Radiodays Europe is happening in March 2025 – use code RTY25ATH to get a discount and join us in Athens! More..

#mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width: 600px;}
/* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.
We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ […]

The small-scale DAB multiplex for South Gloucestershire has launched allowing local radio stations to ‘go digital’.

Local not for profit company, South Glos Digital Community Interest Company (SGDCIC), has successfully launched the operation covering a large part of South Gloucestershire along with the crossroads.
The company is supported by Thornbury Radio, community donations and grants from Thornbury Town Council and Thornbury Rotary, and has Nick Piggott from Muxnet as technical consultant and technical provider.
David Wrench, Director of SGDCIC said, “Our DAB transmissions will benefit listeners across South Gloucestershire by bringing them a wider choice of radio stations including a new way to listen to Thornbury Radio.”
Thornbury Radio’s mid-morning presenter Simon Criddle said he would haev his legs and chest waxed, if the community donation target of £3000 was reached – which it was.
So, on Friday 18th October 2024 he was waxed live on air encouraged by fellow presenter Greg Robinson at a local Spa.

Radiodays Europe is happening in March 2025 – use code RTY25ATH to get a discount and join us in Athens! More..

#mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width: 600px;}
/* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.
We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ […]