UK

The ReelWorld Radio Academy 30 Under 30 2024 has now opened for entries.

The annual initiative, which has been running for 14 years, launched this evening at an event attended by 30 Under 30 alumni, sponsors ReelWorld, and trustees and members of The Radio Academy.
Entries are open until 15th August. The 2024 list of 30 talented young people in the business will be unveiled later this year.
Each year the list features the 30 people under the age of 30 who have shown exceptional tenacity, talent and a proven trajectory in radio and audio.
Featuring content creators, editors, presenters, producers, production managers, engineers, brand specialists and more, from freelancers and independent companies to major broadcasters and podcast platforms, the list showcases the breadth and diversity of talent working in the UK audio and radio industry today.
People can nominate themselves and Radio Academy members can nominate others who they’ve been impressed by working in UK audio and radio for at least 12 months.
The Radio Academy MD, Aradhna Tayal Leach said: “Since its launch in 2011, being included in the ReelWorld Radio Academy 30 Under 30 list has become established as one of the great honours of a young audio professional’s career, with many of our alumni going on to senior leadership roles in the industry.
“Well-known figures to have featured on the list in previous years include Crowd Network’s Steve Jones, presenter Yasmin Evans and our very own chair of the committee Jimmy Buckland, along with a host of others who have received the award at an early stage in their career and gone on to global success. This year will be no different and we can’t wait to unveil the list later this year.”
Chairing the 30 Under 30 Judging Committee, Jimmy Buckland, Director of Strategy & Operations at News Broadcasting said: “As a former alum myself and watching others have who made the list progress through their careers over the years, I know that a place in the ReelWorld Radio Academy 30 Under 30 can act as a great reference or accolade on a CV.
“I’m delighted to chair and bring together a team of judges from across the audio industry to debate and decide on the next Class of 2024. I look forward to reading the applications that remind us all that the future of our industry is in safe hands.”
Long-term sponsor and Managing Director of ReelWorld Europe Anthony Gay said: “The ReelWorld Radio Academy 30 Under 30 remains a highlight of our year. The entire team at ReelWorld is passionate about the power of sound and this initiative is an inspiring glimpse into the future and a reminder why we love this industry.
“Those who make the final 30 will be at the forefront of the industry, taking radio and audio in new and exciting directions. Good luck to everyone who is entering.”
Abi Simpson, Class of 2023 and now Breakfast Newsgathering Editor for England and Wales, Bauer Media said: “Being chosen as one of the Radio Academy’s 30 under 30 was a really proud moment for me in my career, and not one I’ll forget anytime soon.
“It’s really validating to see your name on a list alongside such talented people thriving in the industry we all love. If you’re on the fence about applying, my advice would be back yourself 100% and give it a go… you never know what might happen!”
Entries to the ReelWorld Radio Academy 30 Under 30 are open via The Radio Academy’s award site. More information and previous 30 Under 30 alumni lists can be found here. […]

Rachel Mallender, Content Director at Magic Radio, who joined in January 2023, is leaving the station.

During her time at the station, she delivered a new schedule signing Angellica Bell, Nicole Appleton and creating the new look drive ‘4 til 7 show’ with Kat Shoob and Tom Price.
Paul Sylvester, currently Content Director at Absolute Radio, will take over the role for an interim period with Rob Watson becoming Interim Content Director at Absolute Radio.
Gary Stein, Director of Audio for Bauer Media Audio UK, said: “We’d like to thank Rachel for her passion, hard work and commitment at Bauer Media Audio and wish her well for the future.” […]

BBC Radio 3 Sunday Breakfast presenter, Tom McKinney is to take over weekday Breakfast as current host Petroc Trelawny will move to present In Tune with Katie Derham.

Petroc has previously presented many episodes of In Tune over the years and has fronted BBC Radio 3’s Breakfast since 2011.
Schedule changes from April 2025, will see Tom McKinney presenting Monday to Friday Breakfast from Salford, joining a range of programmes already being produced from Radio 3’s Salford base.
In 2025, Sean Rafferty, the longstanding host of In Tune for over 25 years, is leaving the station. He became the main presenter in 1997 and in 2004 was awarded Radio Presenter of the Year at the Broadcasting Press Guild Awards and was appointed MBE in 2017 for services to Broadcasting. He is an Honorary Member of the Royal College of Music and an Honorary Associate of the Royal Academy of Music.
Sam Jackson, Controller BBC Radio 3 and BBC Proms, says: “After over 50 years of broadcasting, nearly three decades of which have been on BBC Radio 3, Sean Rafferty’s impact has been immeasurable – and we all wish him the very best for the future.
“I’m delighted that, after over a decade of early starts, Petroc will be joining Katie to bring his wit, warmth and sparkling rapport to In Tune.
“Tom McKinney, meanwhile, is already one of our most popular broadcasters, and I’m thrilled that he’ll continue to offer the unique and eclectic selection of classical music that Radio 3 Breakfast is known for.
“With the programme set to be broadcast from our new studios in Salford, Radio 3 further reflects the wealth of talent – both on-air and off-air – across the UK.”
Petroc Trelawny says: “Sean has stylishly and wittily helmed In Tune for three decades, creating a very special space for musicians to perform and share rich insights into their work and their lives.
“That artists, singers, conductors and composers so relish appearing on the show, is in a big part thanks to Sean’s personality; his long stewardship of the programme has made it a vital place to celebrate many forms of music making. Alongside Katie, I will be working hard to ensure we maintain the rich jewel of a programme he invented.”
Sean Rafferty says: “I shall miss the truly remarkable and life-enhancing musicians, many coming to the studio ever since they began their careers: a joy. And to be able to share it all with the listeners at home: a privilege. They’ve been like family.”
Tom McKinney says: “Radio 3 Breakfast is a really special place where everyone’s invited to start their day with the best classical music. And that warm welcome is thanks to Petroc.
“Over the last decade he’s built a community of listeners, including me, who are looking to appreciate some of the things that help make the world a more interesting and better place. And it’s what we’ll continue to bring you every morning, with the talent and energy of Radio 3’s team in Salford.” […]

Charity Fillers, which supplies radio stations third sector audio and commercials, has passed the 5,000th reported airplay of its fillers after only four months in operation.

Charityfillers.co.uk was created in response to the Cabinet Office’s long standing Radio Fillers operation for government Public Service Announcements, and is designed to give UK registered charities a way to distribute radio commercials for ‘filler’ airplay on stations across the U.K.
Radio Broadgreen in Liverpool aired the Scar Free Foundation’s ‘A Scar Free World’ commercial last Wednesday. The 60 second commercial features Falklands veteran and charity campaigner Simon Weston with content looking forward to ‘A Scar Free World’.
Paul Watters of Radio Broadgreen commented: ‘When Charity Fillers first launched, we were proud to be one of the first radio services to sign up. They provide an important platform for charitable and non-profit organisations – large and small – to get their message out.
“I would certainly recommend any organisation in the charity sector to take a look at what Charity Fillers could do for them and ask other radio stations to consider signing up. It’s so easy to do.”
Spencer Pryor of Charity Fillers said: ‘We are extremely pleased that we’ve reached this milestone in just four months of operation.
“Our thanks go out to the 70 participating UK radio stations for generously donating their ‘filler’ airtime and supporting the great charities that are part of Charity Fillers.
“As always, we always looking for more radio stations to join Charity Fillers and we will thank them for donating a few minutes of airtime each week to help good causes. Let’s see if we can hit 25,000 airtime plays before the end of 2024!” […]

Introducing the RAAs…. A brand-new awards platform has been launched to recognise and celebrate the very best in UK radio advertising.

The Radio Advert Awards aim to offer a new way to showcase your most innovative, creative, and effective radio ads, with over 20 categories to choose from.
“We’re thrilled to launch the RAAs as a new awards program designed to be accessible to all,” says Martin Pezet, Founder of the Radio Advert Awards. ”
With a low entry cost and a wide range of categories, we want to celebrate the incredible talent across the UK’s radio advertising industry, regardless of size or budget. We noticed that there are very few industry awards focussed on this medium, and those that are can be cost prohibitive to a lot of smaller agencies so these awards have been created to give those in the industry who usually can’.”
See more details at radioadvertawards.co.uk. […]

Podcasts have established themselves as a leading media platform in the UK according to the latest UK Podcast Consumer 2024 report by Edison Research.

The key findings, compiled by Edison Podcast Metrics UK, were presented by Gabriel Soto, Senior Director of Research at Edison Research during a webinar, showing data on weekly and monthly podcast consumption in the UK.
Key points from the report:

More UK adults than ever are listening to podcasts: Over two-thirds of the United Kingdom age 18+ have ever listened to a podcast; 42% are monthly podcast listeners and 30% are weekly listeners. All data points are record highs.
Weekly UK podcast listeners 15+ spend an average of 5 hours and 27 minutes listening to podcasts in a typical week.
Young UK adults are loyal consumers of podcasts: The majority of 18–34-year-olds are monthly podcast listeners and 41% are weekly listeners; higher than the average UK adult.
Podcasts are an excellent way to reach the sought-after 35-54-year-old UK segment, many who are in their prime spending years: About half are monthly podcast listeners; 34% are weekly podcast listeners.
The 55+ UK population are increasingly listening to podcasts: 28% of those age 55+ listen monthly, up from 20% in 2023; 18% of those age 55+ listen weekly.
Forty-eight percent of Black UK adults listen to podcasts each month, higher than the 42% among the overall UK population; 39% of UK Asian adults listen to podcasts each month.
Newcomers to weekly podcast listening are more likely to be Gen Z: 38% of new weekly podcast listeners (those who began listening in the last year) are Gen Z; 14% of weekly podcast listeners who started listening more than a year ago are Gen Z.
Reach among UK women monthly podcast listeners is up: 39% of UK women are monthly podcast listeners, up from 31% in 2023; 26% are weekly listeners. The top three podcasts reaching the most UK weekly women podcast listeners are The Diary of a CEO, Saving Grace, and Sh**ged Married and Annoyed.
The Top 10 podcasts in the UK combine to reach 31% of all weekly podcast listeners age 15+. The Top 25 podcasts reach 44% of weekly podcast listeners, which means with only the 25 biggest shows, nearly half of all weekly podcast listeners are accessible.

Soto said, “With this report, Edison Research seeks to arm UK-based creators with the ammunition they need to secure support for their content.”
The UK Podcast Consumer 2024 can be found here. […]