UK

BBC Radio 4 and 4Extra will mark the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth this December with a major season of special programmes and new dramas celebrating her life and legacy.

From 6th December, listeners can enjoy a complete audio collection of Austen’s six major novels, including Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Emma, Mansfield Park, Persuasion, and Northanger Abbey, all available on BBC Sounds. A special day of broadcasts will take place on Radio 4 on 16th December to honour Austen’s birthday.
The season begins and ends with two new Radio 4 dramas – Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility – narrated by Tamsin Greig as Jane Austen herself. Written by Rachel Joyce and Claudine Toutoungi, the new adaptations revisit themes of love, heartbreak and sisterhood through a modern lens.
A new ten-part factual series, When I Met Jane Austen, hosted by biographer Dr Paula Byrne, will feature contributions from well-known admirers including David Baddiel, Val McDermid, Katherine Rundell, Kate Atkinson, Andrew Davies, Gurinder Chadha, and Marlon James, exploring how Austen’s writing has inspired their work.
Radio 4’s Bookclub will feature Emma Thompson, reflecting on her adaptation of Sense and Sensibility and why Austen’s stories continue to connect with audiences today. The station’s continuity announcers will also join in the birthday celebrations on 16th December.
Radio 4Extra will air classic Austen-themed programmes from the past forty years, while BBC iPlayer will showcase TV adaptations and documentaries including Jane Austen: Rise of a Genius. Actor Monica Dolan will also read Persuasion for The Read on BBC Four and iPlayer.
Matthew Dodd, Commissioning Editor for Arts, said the season “brings together a rich and varied collection showcasing the many ways Austen’s voice still resonates today.”

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KISS Breakfast is set to broadcast its first-ever live on-air wedding this Friday, in a collaboration between Bauer Media and Channel 4 inspired by Married at First Sight UK.

The live event marks the end of the hit show’s tenth season and continues the partnership between Channel 4 and Bauer’s KISS brand, following previous joint campaigns such as Naked Week.
The feature, titled How Far Would You Go for a Trip to Thailand?, will see two strangers chosen at random from a group of hopefuls at KISS HQ to tie the knot live on air.
Hosted by Jordan Banjo and Harriet Rose, with a MAFS celebrant officiating, the ceremony promises a mix of real emotion and humour in true KISS style.
The week-long campaign will build through on-air storytelling, social media activity, and a full takeover show during the live ‘wedding’. Designed for both broadcast and social reach, the event aims to blend the energy of live radio with the visual storytelling power of social platforms, engaging audiences across multiple channels.

Krissie Ford, Director of Client Strategy at Bauer Media, said: “This activation perfectly captures what happens when great partners trust each other to take creative risks. It’s a brilliant example of how audio can create real-time cultural moments that spark conversation.”
Sian Gray, Marketing Lead for Channel 4 Streaming, added: “These collaborations embody the fearless creativity and cultural relevance that sit at the heart of Channel 4. It’s about celebrating the unexpected and connecting with audiences in fresh, authentic ways.”
The partnership was brokered by OMD UK, as part of Channel 4’s ongoing sponsorship of the KISS Breakfast show.

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This Morning presenter Josie Gibson is returning to Magic Radio and Magic Christmas to host her very own festive shows from this Saturday 8th November.

Josie Gibson’s Christmas Party will air every Saturday from 6pm to 8pm on Magic Radio, bringing a mix of Christmas classics and feel-good tunes perfect for weekend evenings.
From Saturday 15th November, Josie will also present on Magic Christmas from 1pm to 3pm each Saturday, playing non-stop Christmas music from Mariah Carey, Michael Bublé, Leona Lewis and more.
Speaking about her return, Josie said she was thrilled to be part of the Magic family again and couldn’t wait to get everyone into the festive spirit with her Christmas playlist.
Josie joins a line-up of familiar Magic Radio presenters on Magic Christmas, including Dan Morrissey, Nick Snaith and Jo Russell during the week, with Paul Hayes and Jen Thomas on weekends.
Magic Christmas will also feature the first broadcasts of Magic Radio’s live Palladium specials, *Magic of Christmas* and *Magic West End Christmas*, later in the season.

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Bauer Media Audio has extended its digital audio advertising network, audioXi, through a new partnership with TuneIn, adding Poland, Slovakia, and Portugal to its reach.

The deal gives advertisers using audioXi access to millions of additional monthly ad impressions across TuneIn’s wide mix of live radio, podcasts, music, sport, and news content.
The new direct reseller agreement with TuneIn marks the first commercial partnership between the two companies outside of their existing content distribution arrangement.
The direct relationship will make advertising more efficient and transparent, enabling marketers to plan and deliver targeted campaigns across TuneIn’s digital platforms in three new European territories.
Rob Timony, Senior Vice President, Commercial Advisory at Bauer Media Audio, said: “Partnering directly with TuneIn allows us to strengthen our digital audio offering and provide advertisers with more transparent, flexible, and impactful ways to connect with audiences.”
Josh Rothman, President of Global Advertising Revenue at TuneIn, added: “Bauer Media Audio is a key strategic partner to support our continued growth across Europe. Selling our inventory directly through audioXi makes it easier for advertisers to reach TuneIn listeners and strengthens our position in markets where we are growing quickly.”
The agreement expands Bauer’s digital audio footprint and reinforces audioXi’s strategy of growing premium audio inventory while building stronger platform partnerships. It also demonstrates the growing importance of digital radio and streaming as key channels for advertisers to connect with engaged listeners across multiple formats.

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Catherine Mallyon CBE has been appointed as the next Chair of Creative UK, the national membership body representing the UK’s cultural and creative industries.She will take up the role in March 2026, succeeding Belinda Budge, who is stepping down after completing her tenure.
Currently Chair of Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre Trust and Executive Director, Transition, at Sadler’s Wells, Catherine brings wide experience across the arts and creative sectors. She previously served as Executive Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company until 2023 and as Deputy Chief Executive of the Southbank Centre.
Her board and advisory work includes positions with Arts Council England, the Arts and Humanities Research Council, and the West Midlands Combined Authority’s Cultural Leadership Board. She also chaired advisory boards for the Bristol + Bath Creative Cluster and the Centre for Cultural Value at the University of Leeds.
Creative UK Chief Executive Caroline Norbury OBE said Catherine’s appointment marks an important new chapter for the organisation. She added: “An exceptional and inclusive leader who is renowned throughout our sector, I have no doubt that Catherine will be a driving force for our organisation as we look to the next chapter of our growth.”
Reflecting on her new role, Catherine said: “Creative UK demonstrates the extraordinary societal impact of our creative industries, whilst showcasing the UK as a global leader in creativity and innovation. I am looking forward to working alongside the inspiring team and Board to grow and enable the UK’s shared creative future.”
Belinda Budge welcomed her successor, describing her as “a powerful advocate for the importance of creativity” and said she looks forward to a smooth transition ahead of March 2026.
Catherine is also an Honorary Fellow of St John’s College, University of Oxford, and holds an Honorary Doctor of Letters from the University of Warwick. She was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Birthday Honours list.

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Kylie Minogue will headline night two of Capital’s Jingle Bell Ball with Barclaycard at The O2 in London on Sunday 7 December.

The pop superstar joins Alex Warren and Louis Tomlinson for the second night of the UK’s biggest Christmas party, alongside Tinie Tempah, Jax Jones, Cat Burns, MK, WizTheMC and Capital Buzz Artist Rose Gray.
The line-up was revealed on Capital Breakfast this morning by Jordan North, Chris Stark and Siân Welby.
Already announced for night one on Saturday 6 December are Ed Sheeran, RAYE, Anne-Marie, Leigh-Anne, Rizzle Kicks, Mimi Webb, Moliy and Sonny Fodera.
Ashley Tabor-King, Global’s Founder and Executive President, said the event “brings together the biggest names in hit music for one incredible weekend”, while James Rea, Global’s Chief Broadcasting and Content Officer, called it “the ultimate Christmas music event”.
Fans can experience the show live at The O2, stream it on Global Player and YouTube, or watch it later on ITV1 and ITVX.
Here’s the full artist line-up per night:
Night One – Saturday 6 December
* Ed Sheeran* RAYE* Anne-Marie* Leigh-Anne* Rizzle Kicks* Mimi Webb* Moliy* Sonny Fodera
Night Two – Sunday 7 December
* Kylie Minogue* Alex Warren* Louis Tomlinson* Tinie Tempah* Jax Jones* Cat Burns* MK* WizTheMC* Rose Gray (Capital Buzz Artist)

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