UK

Ofcom has found Big City Radio CIC, which holds the licence for BRMB, in breach of the Key Commitments for the station.

Following a complaint, Ofcom requested recordings of the output of the station between 19th to 25th August 2024. It also asked for a programme schedule for the same week and an explanation of how the Key Commitments were being met.
After assessing these and receiving a written response, the regulator felt the Character of Service to serve all the communities of Aston with a particular focus on the area’s ethnic communities, and both on-air and off-air community benefits for the target community, were not being met.
Big City responded that its coverage area is made up of a mix of nationalities, with English as the common language and that programmes on BRMB are “designed to be relevant to all of the communities in the area”.
It said that the station’s music policy had been broadened, and it offers a different style of music online, which it hopes to broadcast on DAB when it has the funds.
Big City said that it requests input from the community but doesn’t receive responses, except from the Council who it is already working with. It believed it was complying with its Key Commitments in terms of speech content and outlined some of its off-air social gain initiatives including working with “sports teams, a … multipurpose games unit, an infant school, an English teaching school, a gardening project, a cafe as well as other projects”.
The station currently has one presenter from Aston who presents a show on Friday evenings, however it has previously had more presenters from the local area. There are eight individuals from the target community involved in the management and operation of the station, with six of these individuals being from non-white ethnic communities.
Big City also explained that, at the time Ofcom requested information, it wasn’t accepting volunteers because it was at its limit. However, in direct contradiction to this, it also stated that it “always take[s] volunteers”.
Finally, Big City said it was going to request a change to BRMB’s Key Commitments, particularly around music requirements and it felt that taking previous breaches into consideration, which happened when the station wasn’t under its control, was unfair to the current management.
Ofcom acknowledged the steps Big City has started to take and expects it to continue to work to rectify the issues immediately.
Originally Ofcom felt there were grounds to consider a statutory sanction, but because Big City has taken steps to come into compliance with its Key Commitments, it would be counter intuitive to consider a sanction where the Licensee has already started to work to rectify these issues.
The decision was: Breaches of Licence Conditions 2(1) and 2(4).

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. */ […]

Chris Criddle, John Ford and David Southway are celebrating 10 years since starting their radio show, The Old Gits and Hits.

It started on Bristol community station BCfm in January 2015 as a bit of fun following a chance conversation between John and BCfm station manager Pat Hart.
John pulled together some old radio friends who had all worked together professionally at various commercial stations including Radio West, GWR and STAR Radio.
Between them they have almost 150 years of radio experience having broadcast on many commercial radio stations as well as for the BBC. David was one of the first voices on BBC Radio Bristol when it started in 1970, and John has been with the BBC since 2007.
The show is an improvised two hours where they each introduce a subject without the others knowing, who then quickly chip in.
John says: “The premise of the show is to have some fun, not taking what we say that seriously.  However, we are not afraid to tackle tricky subjects and speak about things that, these days, some people are uncomfortable discussing. Then again, we’re Old Gits!”
Since starting on BCfm, the show is broadcast around the country on some 20 radio stations as well as in Spain and a podcast version on Podcast Radio in the UK and USA.
They also continue to present shows separately. Chris is the co-founder, programme manager and Breakfast Show presenter of Thornbury Radio, David presents Soul Vaults, which is syndicated around the world on over 50 stations, and John can be heard on BBC Radio Bristol presenting sport.

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. */ […]

Series two of Gemma Atkinson’s podcast, The Overshare, is to launch on Wednesday 29th January.

The podcast sees Hit’s Radio’s Gemma provide a safe space for her audience to share their stories as well as sharing a few of her own.
Topics covered in the first series included grief, parenting mishaps and why it’s fine to be single at 30.
The new series will be taking a look at everything from the longest lie to body confidence, the power of pets and blended families.
In the first episode Gemma and guests including dating expert Abi Blears, discuss relationship red flags – what would you think about your boyfriend’s mum getting into bed with you?!
The Overshare with Gemma Atkinson is available wherever you get your podcasts.

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. */ […]

Gloucester community station GFM recently experienced a transmitter failure, leaving it unable to broadcast on FM.

It has since been loaned a transmitter to help get back on air in the short term but is urgently looking for a long-term solution.
The station, which is run by volunteers, has launched a fundraising appeal to raise £5,000 to purchase a new FM transmitter and installation fee.
You can find out more about donating and volunteering via the Gloucester FM website.

GFM Appeal https://t.co/2wqMiFPCOg… please share and donate if you can
— Gloucester FM Radio (@GloucesterFM) January 17, 2025

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. */ […]

BBC Radio Leeds is taking on the challenge, launched today by Chris Kamara, to see if a group of Bradford City fans can be taught to sing opera.

The challenge for the fans, who are known as the Bantams, is part of the Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture celebrations.
‘Bantam of the Opera’ will follow their journey as they go from singing on the terraces to performances as a choir throughout the year, in the lead up to a big finale at the end of the year.
The BBC Singers and Orchestra will support the Bantam’s choir during their development. Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, opera singer Lesley Garrett, and sports commentator and TV presenter Chris Kamara, have all also pledged their support to the campaign.
Chris, who was both player and manager at the club says: “This is an incredibly important year for Bradford, both the city and the football club. May 2025 will mark the 40th anniversary of the Valley Parade fire which claimed the lives of 56 football fans. Many people will have their own memories of that horrific day and will want to pay their respects, as will I.
“Bradford is UK City of Culture 2025 and as part of this exciting year BBC Radio Leeds’ Bantam of the Opera campaign encourages everyone to get singing. The power of music can be enormous, singing is a great way to bring people together, whilst being so positive for mental health. Singing has always been a part of my life, even when times have been tough.
“During the onset of my well documented recent illness, Apraxia of Speech, although I suffered in silence for a time, I never stopped singing – in the shower, in the car, out walking.
“Music really can boost your mental health and is a gift which we all have, whether you’re tone-deaf or a popstar. Anyone can blast out a tune, and that’s what makes this campaign so good. I’d love Bradford City fans to give it a go and sign-up to take part in the BBC’s Bantam of the Opera.”
Katrina Bunker, BBC Head of Yorkshire added: “Can you teach a bunch of passionate football fans to sing like a professional choir?  We like a challenge at the BBC! It’s great that as part of the exciting year of culture in Bradford we’ll be following football fans from chanting on the terraces to learning to sing formally in a choir.
“It will be fascinating to follow the journey of these fans as they audition, train, rehearse and perform.  A great example of how culture is about everyone, especially the people who make places unique. This will be such a fun and entertaining project, and I can’t wait to see it come to life across TV, radio and online.”
Bantam of the Opera will be available on BBC Sounds from this April.

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. */ […]

Peter Grant, former broadcaster on commercial and BBC radio, has died following a recent illness.

Best known for his time at TFM and later Magic 1170 in the north east, Peter also spent time at Hallam FM in Sheffield and BBC Radio Newcastle.
Peter was diagnosed with cancer last year and underwent surgery. A month later, he posted on X that “those pesky cancer cells” had returned and so he was having chemotherapy.
A number of posts on social media yesterday shared the news that Peter had lost his fight and had sadly passed away.
Peter began his broadcasting career in 1982 and continued until 2019. He also worked in Television and ran his own media company.

Very sad to hear about the passing of Peter Grant, an old pal from radio days at #BBCNewcastle @BBCNEandCumbriaAlways positive, always friendly, always optimistic.RIP pic.twitter.com/zGQNa4KrYM
— alfie joey (@alfiejoey) January 20, 2025

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. */ […]