Year: 2025

Humber Wave Radio has announced the death of breakfast presenter Chris King, known on air as Steve Smith, following a short illness.

The former British Army soldier first discovered broadcasting through BFBS before becoming a much-loved voice on West Hull FM, later renamed Humber Wave Radio.
Chris, who was sixty seven, built a loyal following across Hull and East Yorkshire with shows that mixed music, humour and offbeat features. Listeners knew him as “The Loon”, a nod to his energetic style and the influence of his radio hero Kenny Everett.
Humber Wave director Richard Moore said Chris made a lasting impression from the moment he joined the station in the early 2020s. He said Chris brought “energy, humour, and an unmistakable voice” to mid-afternoons and later to his evening feature The Extra Slice.
Richard added that Chris stepped into the weekday breakfast slot in last year and quickly made it his own with a mix of wit, warmth and unpredictability that resonated with listeners across the city.
Richard said Chris was more than a colleague and described him as a friend and a character whose presence shaped the sound of the station. He said his “laughter, his chaos, and his heart” would remain part of the memories of those who tuned in.
Tributes have continued on the station’s Facebook page, where listeners have shared messages of appreciation and personal stories. The Lord Mayor of Hull, Cheryl Payne, wrote that he would be remembered for his character and for bringing joy to many.

#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. */ […]

Nation Player has reached seven million weekly listening hours as more independent and community radio stations join the app.

The platform, built on Xperi’s All In Media technology, now carries more than 100 stations, one 125 podcast channels and 43 publishers.
Nation Player launched last year with 55 stations and has expanded steadily as broadcasters adopt the AIM Player system to reach listeners at home, on the move and in the car through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The integration with Xperi allows participating audio companies to access the Digital Ad Exchange, connecting them with advertisers through a shared revenue model. The arrangement supports targeted advertising that fits within the listening experience and delivers growing income to publishers using the app.
Nation founder and chief executive Jason Bryant said the team is continuing to see new highs for usage and active users. He said “we are on a mission to become the leading commercial audio app and to monetise audiences for our partners.”
Chris Gould, vice president at All In Media, said the AIM Player technology gives broadcasters of any size a route to a branded app without the cost of building their own. Chris said the partnership shows how traditional media can be reshaped through platforms that focus on user experience.
Listeners can browse favourites, trending shows and podcasts through the personalised interface, helping them move quickly between different audio choices. AIM Player technology underpins the layout and functionality that supports this navigation and content discovery.
Nation Player includes stations from Nation Broadcasting, independent broadcasters, community radio services and podcasts from a range of producers including the BBC.

#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. */ […]