UK

The change of Government brings another new Culture Secretary as Lisa Nandy replaces Lucy Frazer.
Lisa, who is also MP for Wigan, becomes the 14th Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport in as many years.
Lucy Frazer, who also lost her seat in the election, was appointed by outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in February 2023.
Lisa has been an MP since 2010 and was most recently Shadow International Development minister. […]

The Community Media Association has written to the new Prime Minister looking for increased investment and better policy support.
In a public letter, Terry Lee, Chair of the CMA says the member organisation is eager to discuss matters it believes will greatly benefit Community Radio and, in turn, local communities.
The letter also mentions an all-party parliamentary group (APPG) dedicated to Community Radio is currently being set up.
You can see the letter in full below.
“Dear Sir Keir Starmer,
On behalf of the Community Media Association (CMA), I extend our heartfelt congratulations to you and the Labour Party on your successful election campaign. Your party’s victory is a testament to your dedication and vision for a better future for the UK.
As the members-based representative organisation for Community Radio in the UK, writing on behalf of over 200 stations, the CMA is excited about the prospect of working closely with your government to support and enhance the Community Radio sector.
Community Radio is an established and growing sector that plays a crucial role in our local communities by fostering cultural and creative expression, community development, and entertainment.
We are eager to discuss the following policy interventions that we believe will greatly benefit Community Radio and, in turn, our local communities:

Increased Investment
Community Radio Fund (CRF):

Expansion to Meet Sector Growth: Given the increase in the number of stations eligible to apply for the CRF, we advocate for expanding the fund to ensure meaningful support for all successful stations.

Index-Linking to Inflation: Adjusting the CRF annually to reflect inflation will maintain its value in real terms, ensuring sustained support for Community Radio.

Broader Scope for Projects: Expanding the focus of the CRF to include a wider range of projects will allow Community Radio to deliver more significant social benefits, such as employment and training, education, social cohesion, media literacy, health, and intercultural communication.

Policy Support
Future of FM/AM (Analogue) Broadcasting:

Preservation of Analogue Frequencies: Retaining FM and AM broadcasting platforms is vital given the continued listener base for analogue radio.

Support for SSDAB: Assisting community radio stations in transitioning to Small-Scale DAB (SSDAB) where appropriate will enhance their reach and impact.

IP-Based Solutions: Ensuring affordable and reliable simulcast transmission over IP platforms for all Ofcom-licensed Community Radio stations is essential.

Analogue Licence Extensions:

Extension in Perpetuity or Longer Terms: Reconsidering the current five-year extension for analogue licenses to provide greater stability for Community Radio stations.

Advertising Restrictions:

Significant Increase in ‘Fixed Revenue Allowance’: Doubling the current annual allowance (currently £15k) and linking it to inflation for advertising and sponsorship – this will enhance the financial sustainability of volunteer-driven, not-for-profit stations.

Partnership Opportunities
Community Radio is a quick, low-cost, and effective means of delivering various social benefits. We propose partnering with your government to utilise the 350+ Community Radio stations for future social-gain projects. These projects could focus on areas such as:

Employment and Training: Providing opportunities for skills development and job training.

Education and Oracy: Promoting educational initiatives and enhancing communication skills.

Social Cohesion: Strengthening community bonds through local engagement.

Media Literacy: Enhancing public understanding of media processes and consumption.

Health Initiatives: Promoting public health campaigns and wellness plans.

Intercultural Communication: Bridging cultural gaps and fostering inclusive communities.

We are pleased with the election outcome and look forward to continuing our regular meetings with civil servants from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). We believe Community Radio can also play a significant role in other Government departments, including Education, Health, and Levelling-up. We welcome the opportunity to meet with relevant Ministers and Civil Servants at the earliest convenience to discuss how we can work together to support these important initiatives.
Additionally, we are in the process of establishing an all-party parliamentary group (APPG) dedicated to Community Radio. We will be approaching some of your back-bench MPs who have a specific interest in this area and would appreciate your support in this endeavour.
Once again, congratulations on your victory. Community Radio in the UK owes much of its development to the vision and support of a previous Labour administration (not least the passing of The Community Radio Order in 2004).
We look forward to a productive and collaborative relationship with your government.
Yours sincerely,
Terry LeeChair, Community Media Association” […]

Preston community station Juice Radio has been found in breach of its licence for not broadcasting local news and sport content.
A complaint was made against the station following its rebrand in January 2024 from Beat, saying it wasn’t compliance with its Key Commitments.
Ofcom listened to recordings of the service and concluded that news and sports programmes, local and community news and information, interviews, magazine programmes and community of interest programming were missing.
The station said it broadcast lots of local and original programming, including a what’s on guide and ‘juice list’, but struggled getting volunteers to do news.
But Ofcom said the content of these items, details about a Dizzee Rascal performance in Liverpool, a band performing at a local venue, a bottomless brunch at a local venue, Steven Sanchez performing at Manchester New Century, Taylor Swift performing at the Manchester O2, a business networking group, a toddler group and events at a local garden centre, did not qualify as relevant news or sport.
Ofcom said: “We acknowledge PCR 23’s (the licence holder) admission of the challenges it has in meeting areas of its Key Commitments and we recognise that it has already started to implement changes to comply with its Key Commitments.
“The Licensee may wish to request a change to its Key Commitments. Such a request must be approved by Ofcom before a licensee makes changes to its output.” […]

Broadcaster Paul Rowley is back on air tonight reporting on his 14th General Election, half a century since his first.
The former BBC Political Correspondent left the corporation two and a half years ago after 28 years as BBC Local Radio’s voice at Westminster.
He returns to his old role this evening, broadcasting throughout the night across the BBC’s 40 Local Radio stations, something he’s done for the last seven General Elections.
“It’s great to be back” says Paul. “General Elections are in my blood. I reckon only the Dimblebys (Richard, David and Jonathan) have done more than me. I suspect I may even have covered more than the BBC’s election guru Professor Sir John Curtice, but I was very young when I started”.
He’ll provide live updates of the national picture into the BBC Central News Service (CNS) bulletins from 2200 when polling closes. He’ll then go live into many of the “Your Voice, Your Vote” programmes which are being carried across local radio though till 0600 tomorrow morning.
“I’m even broadcasting from my old desk at the BBC’s studios at Westminster”, says Rowley, who covered Tony Blair’s three General Election victories from 1997 onwards, the coalition Government of 2010, and the subsequent Conservative victories in 2015, 2017 and 2019. “I think I’m probably using the same ISDN kit”.

His first General Election was as a teenage student in February 1974 on a one year pre-entry NCTJ (National Council for the Training of Journalists) course at Preston Polytechnic, reporting for the college newspaper. “I covered a rally at Preston Guild Hall which was addressed by the Labour leader Harold Wilson. A little over a week later he displaced Ted Heath as Prime Minister in a minority Government. It was the lead story in the student magazine. To be honest, I wasn’t that interested in politics at the time, I had eyes on being a music or a sports reporter. I never thought I’d spend so much of my subsequent life as a political specialist”.
That summer Rowley began his newspaper career on Sefton Newspapers on Merseyside, and in October he was covering a second General Election when Harold Wilson went back to the country to secure a full majority. “I was so naïve in those days I presumed there were two elections every year. But it was certainly a great experience at such a young age.”
He moved to Liverpool’s first commercial station Radio City in 1977, becoming its Local Government Editor, covering Margaret Thatcher’s three General Election victories in 1979, 1983 and 1987. He then joined Independent Radio News as Political Correspondent, following John Major around the country when he won the 1992 General Election.

“It’s been a great life” says Rowley. “I’ve also covered nine European elections, five American Presidential elections in Washington, and more than forty years of council elections. I’ve also interviewed ten Prime Ministers, not including the last two who entered Downing Street after I’d left the BBC”.
“Many people may think it odd, but I don’t have political opinions, though I’ve got strong views about broadcasting. I’ve had good contacts in all the parties over the years. I see my role as simply reporting things and trying to make sense of it all”.
And what’s the secret of getting through another long election night ? “Plenty of satsumas. A dozen salmon sandwiches. And gallons of strong tea. They’ve kept me going for most of my previous elections. I’m not changing my routine for this one”. […]

UK audio branding company Noise Fusion has announced a new CHR imaging effects and music library called Ultra.
Created by producer Ben Neidle, Ultra began as a custom FX package for Capital, with the library at the core of their imaging for over five years.
The package has since evolved to become a large and diverse 4000 cut production toolkit and it continues to grow.
Noise Fusion’s Ben Neidle said: “We worked with the team at Capital to create a high-end FX package designed to produce super punchy, hyper exciting imaging while also being an essential sonic toolbox.
“Now with the launch of Ultra we take the concept even further with a next generation, ever-expanding library that’s stamped with our signature sound.
“Ultra is already on air on KIIS in Australia and ZM in New Zealand and I’m pumped to finally release the demo and give more stations access to the imaging producer’s secret weapon!”
Demos of the new library can be heard at www.noisefusion.com/ultra. […]

Bauer has announced details of a new music event in Manchester featuring presenters and musical acts played on Greatest Hits Radio.

Greatest Hits Radio Live will take place at the Co-op Live Arena on Sunday 24th November and feature Ken Bruce, Martin Kemp, Jenny Powell and Kate Thornton.
The singers and groups have yet to be revealed but will focus on the three core decades played by the station, the 70s, 80s and 90s.
Ken Bruce said: ‘Delighted to be taking Greatest Hits Radio Live on the road as we bring the good times to the magnificent Co-Op Live in Manchester.
“I’ve had a sneak peek at the line-up and I’m looking forward to sharing more soon about the brilliant artists we’re bringing to the stage. Tune in to Greatest Hits Radio for all the latest news and see you in November!”
Martin Kemp, who will perform a DJ set at the show, said: ‘We all know that there’s only one musical decade that’s 100% guaranteed to get the party started and that’s the 80s!
“Make sure you get your tickets now for what I guarantee is going to be a banger of an evening. I’ll be there with my ultimate 80s playlist and I’m looking forward to seeing you all there too.” […]