UK

Two Liverpool stations have recorded a festive single to support Alder Hey Children’s Charity.

In Demand Radio and In Demand Decades have created Crackers for Christmas, bringing their full on-air teams together to produce a seasonal track that will raise money throughout the festive period.
The single will be released this year on 5 December, with pre-orders now open.
A music video, filmed at Sound House Recording Studios in Litherland, will premiere on 28 November and the fundraising effort will continue until Boxing Day. Supporters can donate directly to the campaign by visiting crackersforchristmas.com or by sending the text message detailed by the stations.
A spokesperson for In Demand Radio said “Alder Hey is such an important part of our community, and we wanted to do something that not only raises money but spreads a bit of joy, too.” They added that the whole team enjoyed taking part and are looking forward to the reaction from listeners when the single is released.
Crackers for Christmas brings both stations together on a project that highlights community spirit and the role radio plays in supporting local causes. The campaign uses the combined reach of both services to promote the charity and encourage listeners to get involved over the festive season.
The stations say that direct donations are the best way to support the appeal, while the single acts as a way to raise awareness and celebrate the work of Alder Hey during a busy and emotional time of year.

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A new pop-up station inspired by Stranger Things has launched on DAB in London, Global Player and smart speakers.

WSQK The Squawk is live from today and will run until 1 January, delivering a full 1980s radio experience linked directly to the final season of the Netflix series.
The station plays continuous 80s hits and features a cast of American presenters including Vance Goodman and Mindy Flare. Listeners will also hear a full set of retro-style commercials written in the spirit of Hawkins.
Sung jingles and voiceovers are filling the output too.
Fans can take part in Rewind at 9, a segment where a reversed track challenges listeners to identify the song, while Talk to Tammy provides advice with a Hawkins twist. There is also Dial-A-Dedication, giving listeners the chance to get their message on air by submitting it through the Global Player website.
James Rea, Global’s Chief Broadcasting and Content Officer, said part of the project’s appeal is that “fans love the show’s nostalgia and energy, and this station bottles that completely”. James added that creating WSQK with Netflix “has been a joy”.

To capture an authentic sound, the audio is being processed through a vintage Inovonics FM250 unit dating back to 1983, the same type used widely by radio stations during the decade. This approach gives WSQK a period-accurate tone that matches the Stranger Things setting.
WSQK The Squawk is available on DAB across London, on Global Player and on smart speakers by asking for The Squawk. It links with the release of Stranger Things Volume 1 on 27 November at 1am GMT, Volume 2 on 26 December at 1am GMT and the finale on 1 January at 1am GMT.

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A BBC Radio Cumbria presenter has written a children’s book to support a local hospice.
John Lipscombe has released Jack and the Big Fridge, a story centred on a young boy whose life changes when he discovers a talking fridge with magnetic letters that offer advice and encouragement.
The book follows Jack as he tries to make sense of his parents’ separation while dealing with everyday challenges. The fridge becomes an unusual but steady guide, helping him find confidence and understand the changes happening around him.
The story is aimed at young readers who may be navigating similar moments of uncertainty, offering reassurance through simple language and warm humour.
John, known for his work as a voice over artist and for presenting and producing programmes on BBC Radio Cumbria, said the project has been a long-held ambition. He said “my children’s book Jack and the Big Fridge is now available in paperback, audio and digital”.
John added that he is grateful for the support he has received while developing the book.
Fifty pence from each sale will be donated to Jigsaw – Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice, with John keen to use the project to help raise money for the charity. He is already working on his next title, The Trouble With Rosie, which continues his move into children’s storytelling.
Jack and the Big Fridge is available through major online platforms including Amazon.

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The Netherlands-based Switch Media is preparing to bring its radio advertising network to the United Kingdom early next year.

The company says it can help UK stations generate new income by selling unused advertising space on FM, DAB plus and online streams.
Switch already works with ninety two stations in five countries and focuses on monetising linear reach rather than digital pre rolls or mid rolls. One of the key points for UK broadcasters is that no integration with audience measurement systems or extra software is required, so the service can sit alongside existing commercial activity without disruption.
The network automatically sells remnant inventory to regional, national and international advertisers. According to the company, many of these advertisers have not used radio before and are drawn in by Switch’s ability to link traditional radio reach with online behaviour.
For advertisers, Switch has developed software that can detect website visits and online sales generated after people hear a campaign on FM, DAB plus or an online radio stream. The aim is to show clear outcomes from a radio campaign in the same way digital platforms report conversions.
Chief Executive Floris Schakelaar said the model is gaining traction because stations face no commitments. He said: “It can run alongside all your other revenue streams and you can switch it off whenever you want. That really is our strength.”
Switch Media plans to begin selling campaigns in the UK in the first quarter of this year and is inviting radio stations to register their interest.
More information is available at switchmedia.io

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DAB+ developments across Europe were the focus of this year’s WorldDAB Summit in Antwerp.

New figures showed that more than half of all listening in Flanders is now digital, with DAB+ accounting for nearly a third of total listening.
WorldDAB President Jacqueline Bierhorst opened the event by saying that DAB+ supports radio’s long-term strength for listeners at home, at work and on the road. Jacqueline also urged the EU to take the next step in safeguarding broadcast radio by requiring all new vehicles to include a radio receiver as standard.
She confirmed that WorldDAB is producing a public policy toolkit with South 180 and commissioning new automotive research to understand how drivers use radio and what they expect from broadcast services.
Delegates heard that Belgium has reached a major milestone, with 54 per cent of listening in Flanders now digital.

The UK contribution came from Jonathan Wall, who discussed the BBC’s three new DAB+ music stations launched this year and how they offer more choice for listeners. From France, Charles-Emmanuel Bon explained how Radio France created Mon petit France Inter for children and parents, broadcast only on DAB+.
The Summit also looked at younger audiences, with egta’s Katerina Borovska saying “DAB+ is the anchor” for reach and reliability while stressing the need for radio to maintain a strong presence on multiple platforms.

Several speakers highlighted recent DAB+ launches across Europe. Estonia now has two commercial networks with ten transmitters, Luxembourg is days away from switching on a multiplex carrying twelve stations, and Ireland’s trial network has recorded DAB+ accounting for more than twenty per cent of listening in equipped cars.
The event also reviewed Germany’s progress with Automatic Safety Alerts on DAB+, with contributors saying the system can complement existing warning channels and support public safety.
The annual WorldDAB Automotive event will take place in Frankfurt on 11 June 2026.

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Jo Lloyd, formerly of Smooth Radio and Century Radio, has joined Dune Radio to present a new Saturday programme as the station updates its on air identity.

Her show airs from 10am to 2pm each weekend and brings more than twenty three years of commercial radio experience to the schedule, strengthening the station’s North West presence.
Jo’s arrival coincides with the launch of a refreshed station sound created by TM Studios. The new audio identity introduces the strapline The Coast’s Favourite Music and supports Dune Radio’s DAB+ coverage across Liverpool, the Wirral, Southport and Blackpool.
Content Director Andy Hilbert said Jo’s appointment reflects the station’s commitment to building a strong team.
He said: “In this ever changing world of radio, we’re delighted to continue the development of Dune Radio as a commercial radio station and business. We are so pleased to be working with a team of experienced broadcasters, Jo being the latest to join us”.
Andy added that working with Chris and the team at TM Studios on the refreshed sound had been a positive process.
The new imaging marks one of the station’s most notable updates since launch. Dune Radio says the combination of a clearer audio brand and an experienced new presenter will help reinforce its place in the region’s competitive radio market.

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