The Audio & Radio Industry Awards 2025 has appointed former BBC boss Bob Shennan as Chair of Judges and announced a new location – Leicester Square.
This year’s event will take place at ODEON Luxe, a couple of doors away from the UK’s biggest commercial radio group Global, who have distanced themselves from the event for the last 10 years after leaving the Radio Academy.
The awards evening is scheduled for May 14th – which is also the date RAJAR releases its listening figures for Q1, 2025.
Entries will open tomorrow, Wednesday 8th January 2025, with 21 categories open to enter – four specifically for radio stations.
Bob Shennan, says: “It is an honour to follow in the footsteps of Phil Riley as The Radio Academy ARIAS Chair of Judges. Phil has done an outstanding job for our sector and leaves a tremendous legacy. Radio and audio in the UK are flourishing. I truly believe our country boasts the finest content and best creative talent in the world. Each year it will be our ambition that The ARIAS proves that.”
Phil Riley says: “I’m delighted to be handing the reins over to Bob Shennan. He is undoubtedly one of the leading figures in our industry and will do a great job in ensuring the ARIAS remain the leading audio and radio awards in the UK for the next decade. There are really exciting plans for the future of the ARIAS and I shall look on with great pride as the awards continue to grow in the years to come.”
The Radio Academy will be partnering with Podcasting, Seriously Awards Fund again to help make the entry process as accessible as possible. The fund reimburses the cost of entering audio awards for independent audio producers of colour and those who identify as LGBTQ+.
Early Bird entries close on 22nd January and all entries will close by 12th February.
Aradhna Tayal Leach, Managing Director of The Radio Academy says: “Following a truly inspiring year with some of the biggest global audio sensations emerging from the UK, I’m very excited to be launching The Radio Academy ARIAS 2025.
“We’re proud to highlight the huge breadth of talent and the sheer impact that the UK audio and radio industry has on millions of listeners locally and across the globe. I look forward to welcoming all our peers as we come together in our exciting new venue for a night of celebration!”
ARIAS 2025 Updated Award Categories:
- Best New Presenter Award
- Best Music Breakfast Radio Show Award
- Best Speech Breakfast Radio Show Award
- Best Music Entertainment Award (Show or Presenter)
- Best Speech Entertainment Award (Show or Presenter)
- Best Music Award (Show or Presenter)
- Best Comedy Award (Show or Presenter)
- Best Factual Single Episode Award
- Best Factual Series Award
- Best Drama or Fiction Award
- Best News or Current Affairs Award
- Best Sports Award (Show or Presenter)
- Best Event Coverage Award
- Best Sonic Branding Award
- Best Commercial Partnership Award
- The Social Impact Award
- The Creative or Technical Innovation Award
- Local Radio Station of The Year
- UK Radio Station or Radio Network of The Year
- UK Audio Brand of the Year
- Radio Times Moment of the Year
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This story first appeared on radiotoday.co.uk