UK

To mark what would have been Kenny Everett’s 80th birthday, BBC Radio 4 Extra is to air a week of programmes on the late broadcaster.

Compiled by journalist and broadcaster Paul Rowley, there’ll be a special show every day during Christmas week to celebrate the work of the man who was born Maurice Cole on Christmas Day, 1944. They include some of the “lost” tapes from his time on BBC Local Radio after he was sacked by Radio 1 in 1970.
Rowley, author of two radio documentaries about Cuddly Ken, has digitally remastered the original reel-to-reel recordings which were left on a shelf for much of the last fifty years. They’ll now be heard in full for the first time since they were originally broadcast. One of them includes an interview with John Lennon which hasn’t been aired since going out on Radio Bristol in 1971.
The series begins on Monday 23rd December with Rowley’s documentary “Kenny Everett: The BBC Local Radio Years” from 2001.
On Christmas Eve it’s Kenny’s first programme on Radio Bristol from June 1971. On Christmas Day is another of Rowley’s documentaries “Happy Birthday Maurice Cole” from 2009. It’s followed on 26th December by a Boxing Day special from 1971, finishing on 27th December with another of Kenny’s Radio Bristol shows which features a chat with the former Beatle.
Paul Rowley says: “In my view Kenny was the best in the business. He was the most creative, most innovative, technically brilliant radio practitioner this country has produced. He was more than just a disc-jockey. He worked harder than anyone else in stitching together a kaleidoscope of sound that no-one could match.
“His bespoke jingles with their multi-track harmonies were usually better produced than many of the records he played. He was loved by millions and lauded by his radio colleagues who regarded him as a ‘genius’.
“But he pushed the boundaries and was always being fired, first by the pirate ship Radio London, then by Radio Luxembourg, and most notably by Radio 1 in 1970 after insulting the wife of a government minister or air.
“At the time the corporation had a radio monopoly in the UK, and apart from a brief stint on a couple of continental stations there was nowhere else to go. A year later Radio Bristol unexpectedly offered him a way back, bringing him on board as holiday relief, despite strong reservations from the top brass at Broadcasting House”.
The programmes coincide with the 60th anniversary of Kenny’s first broadcast as a pirate radio DJ on Radio London on Christmas Eve 1964, on his last day as a teenager. The station had only come on air the previous day.
This will also be the first time in 56 years that Kenny has been on the BBC every day of the week since ending his short-lived Radio 1 evening series “Foreverett” in December 1968.

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. */ […]

A new consultation on local commercial radio licence renewals has been published by Ofcom.

The Media Act 2024 makes a number of changes to how the commercial radio sector is regulated, which includes a new route for renewal of local analogue commercial licences.
Until now, renewal has only been possible if the holder of the analogue licence is also broadcasting on a relevant DAB multiplex.
Following the passing of the Act, a licensee can now also apply for renewal if there is not a ‘suitable’ DAB multiplex available.
The consultation sets out how Ofcom proposes to decide whether a multiplex is ‘suitable’ and it is open for responses until 5pm on 5th February 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. */ […]

From Boxing Day until New Year’s Eve, BBC Radio 1 is giving 27 new presenters and DJs the chance to broadcast on the station.

Many of those given the opportunity in this year’s Radio 1 Christmas Takeover started in student, hospital, local or community radio.
These include Orla Dunne who has presented on student radio station Queen’s in Belfast, Beth Wallace from Northsound 1, Amelia Poamz who has presented shows on BBC Radio London and Daryl Jenkins Dixon who’s on community station Spark Sunderland.
University of Salford student and Shock Radio presenter, Matt Hallsworth, will be presenting an Early Breakfast Playlist. At this year’s Student Radio Awards Matt won Best Presenter and Best Chart Show.
Nathan X, who is from North London, will be taking over Radio 1’s Drum & Bass Show. Nathan X is often known to DJ Drum & Bass in drag and created the UK’s first queer Drum & Bass rave, Unorthodox. He has also hosted shows on Kool FM.
Megan Percival, who is from Scotland, and currently presents on Spark Sunderland will be hosting a special Eurovision Playlist. Megan won Best Entertainment Programme at this year’s Student Radio Awards for her show All Things Alt.
Matt Hallsworth says: “It’s still a pinch-me moment that I’ll be on Radio 1 this year for the Christmas Takeover – I’m just a lad from Norfolk who loves listening to the radio! I can’t wait to tell stories, champion great music and spend the festive period with the nation!”
Nathan X says: “I’ve always dreamed of being a BBC presenter – I’ve listened to the music shows on Radio 1 and 1Xtra since I can remember; to be able to bring together my knowledge as a Drum & Base artist, with my presenting skills, in this format is special. I didn’t think this dream was possible.”
Megan Percival says: “To be selected as part of Radio 1’s Christmas Presenter Takeover is an honour for me. I’m absolutely buzzing to have the chance at representing the mighty Kingdom of Fife and sharing the pure Euphoria of Eurovision. Can’t wait to bring you some of my all-time favourite songs from the contest which all deserve your 12 points.”
Aled Haydn Jones, Head of Radio 1, says: “Radio 1’s Christmas Takeover is not just about giving new presenters a platform, but about shaping the future of radio itself and it has been incredibly rewarding to see this initiative thrive over the past five years and see the successes it has created.
“I’m excited to welcome our 2024 cohort and can’t wait to listen to the creativity and energy I know they’ll bring to the airwaves this holiday season.”
The full list of Christmas Takeover presenters (in alphabetical order):
Alice Hopkins, 29, from Edinburgh (Radio 1 Anthems)
Amelia Poamz, 31, from Hackney (Radio 1’s Future Soul)
Amie Fretter, 27, from Leicester and Tskenya-Sarah Frazer, 30, from Hackney (Radio 1’s Life Hacks)
Anayah Richards, 22, from London (Radio 1 Anthems)
Beth Wallace, 28, from Aberdeen (Radio 1 Anthems)
Christian Carlisle, 39, from Doncaster (BBC Introducing and BBC Introducing Rock)
Cloe Lee, 24, from Brentwood (Radio 1 Anthems)
Cushlá Rice, 26, Belfast (Radio 1’s Future Pop)
Dan Draper, 34, from Harlow (Radio 1 Anthems)
Dan Jones, 27, from Clevedon (Radio 1 Anthems)
Daryl Jenkins Dixon, 26, from Skegness (Radio 1’s Indie Show)
Eazy, 27, from London (Radio 1’s Rap Show)
Hannah Scherrer, 29, from London (Radio 1 Anthems)
Jade Burns, 29, from Liverpool (Radio 1’s Chillest Show)
January Winters, 32, from Dublin (Radio 1’s New Music Show)
Jordan Blyth, 27, Stockton-on-Tees (Radio 1’s Rock Show)
Kitty Perrin, 24, from Brighton (Radio 1’s Future Artists)
Leanne Louise, 31, from Chelmsford (Radio 1’s Dance Anthems)
Lucy K, 30, from Brighton (Radio 1’s Rave-Up Show)
Mars, 27, from Manchester (Radio 1’s Soundsystem Party)
Matt Hallsworth, 20, from Harleston (Early Breakfast Playlist)
Megan Percival, 25, from Rosyth (Eurovision Playlist)
Nathan X, 27, from London (Radio 1’s Drum & Bass Show)
Orla Dunne, 22, from Devizes (Radio 1 Anthems)
Scarlett O’Malley, 32, from West London (Radio 1 Dance)
Shana Gujral, 29, from Epping (Radio 1 Dance)

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. */ […]

Ofcom has approved a request from Coast and County Radio to extend its official coverage area to include neighbouring Ryedale in addition to Scarborough Town and Whitby.
The increase in the size of the adult population served was not deemed to be significant, Ofcom said in granting the change.
The community radio station argued that it already covers the area editorially, so a relay would be nice.
Ofcom had feedback to the consultation from three individuals who:

asserted that community radio services should remain hyper-local and shouldn’t cover such a wide area i.e. beyond a 5km radius expected of community radio services, arguing that the consequential significance of this request had not been justified by exceptional circumstances;
questioned the licensee’s position on the proposed extended area not being currently served by local services and the affinities between the existing and proposed areas; and
questioned Ofcom’s approach to licensing and coverage extensions.

The feedback was taken into account but the request was granted.

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. */ […]

Media Minister Stephanie Peacock will table amendments to the Community Radio Order in Parliament later today which will relax advertising restrictions.

This will allow community stations to raise more than the current limit of £15,000 a year from advertising and sponsorship, to be reinvested to improve content.
These changes, which follow a public consultation, will come into effect in April 2025. They will also extend stations’ licences for a further 10 years to reduce the admin costs of reapplying, which previously had to be done every five years.
Media Minister Stephanie Peacock said: “Community radio has a valuable role on our airwaves, producing truly local content that keeps people connected, engaged and entertained.
“We want to ensure growth in community radio stations across the country by providing them with greater stability and financial flexibility. It will mean they can continue doing what they do best – whether that’s delivering language specific programming or offering training opportunities to young people interested in a radio career.
“This is a clear signal that this government has community radio’s back and we want it to grow and thrive for years to come.”
Community Media Association Chair Terry Lee said: “The Community Media Association welcomes the amendments to the Community Radio Order as a significant milestone in the evolution of community radio in the UK.
“By extending FM licenses to 10 years and ending advertising and sponsorship limits for most stations, these changes will provide greater financial sustainability and reduce administrative burdens for our members.
“As the voice of community radio since 1983, we remain committed to ensuring these vital, not-for-profit, and volunteer-led stations continue to thrive in serving their communities. We look forward to working with the Government to build on this progress and secure an even brighter future for community radio.”
UK Community Radio Network Co-Founder Martin Steers said: “The UK Community Radio Network welcomes any measures by the Government to relax regulation on Community Radio, and especially welcome the move to extend licences even further allowing established Community Radio stations to continue to do the fantastic work serving their communities across the country.”

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. */ […]

A Gavin and Stacey Takeover of the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show will be presented by Ruth Jones and James Corden live on Monday 23rd December.

James and Ruth were guests on Zoe Ball’s show this morning where they revealed the news. They’ll be joined on the Takeover by fellow cast members from the series including Joanna Page, Mat Horne, Rob Brydon, Alison Steadman, Larry Lamb and Rob Wilfort – ahead of the final episode which will air on BBC One and iPlayer on Christmas Day.
Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2 says: “This one-time-only Gavin and Stacey Takeover of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show is going to be such a special festive treat for us all, ahead of the must-see broadcast of final ever episode on Christmas Day.
“I can’t wait to welcome Ruth, James and their brilliant co-stars to the station, to spread some Christmas magic to Radio 2 listeners!”

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. */ […]