UK

National speech radio station talkSPORT wants to turn off seven of its 18 transmitters.

The move would reduce its national AM radio coverage from 92% to 88.9% of the UK adult population.
Ofcom says it is minded to approve the request, and wanted to let the industry know it is minded to make similar decisions should any other broadcaster ask to reduce AM coverage.
The transmitter sites talkSPORT is requesting to close are; Clipstone (Nottinghamshire), Duxhurst (Surrey), Lisnagarvey (in County Antrim, Northern Ireland), Lydd (Kent), Stockton (Durham/North Yorkshire), Southwick/Brighton (West Sussex) and Rusthall (Tunbridge Wells).
The reasons given by talkSPORT for these proposed changes include declining listenership to its AM service as people turn to alternative platforms, considered against the ongoing viability of each transmitter site.
“Before reaching a final decision we are giving stakeholders an opportunity to make comments on the request and our provisional decision. This is because, if the changes are permitted, some listeners will lose their ability to receive talkSPORT on the AM (medium wave) band, and because other commercial radio stations might be interested in the approach that we are minded to take in this case,” Ofcom said.
The talkSPORT broadcasting licence was initially awarded by an auction process in July 1994 to Talk Radio UK, and has subsequently been renewed on three occasions.
The station will remain available nationally on DAB and other platforms.
Absolute Radio, which held the only other national AM licence for commercial radio, switched off all its transmitters in January 2023 and was fined £25,000 for doing so.

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Jazz FM’s Sarah Ward has decided to step back from her weekly show on Jazz FM at the end of the year after seven decades on-air.
“The Sarah Ward Collection” has seen Sarah broadcast from the middle of her personal collection at home on the edge of Dartmoor for almost a decade, and before that she re-joined Jazz FM to host Dinner Jazz when it launched in 2008.
Sarah was also one of the Jazz FM originals, having joined the station not long after launch in 1990.
She has also been a launch presenter on the original BBC Radio 5 presenting the Breakfast Show, and a commercial radio pioneer when she was part of the launch lineup of the UK’s first commercial radio station Capital Radio in the 1973, remaining there into the 1980s.
She had also been a presenter of youth programmes for BBCTV in the 1960s.
Sarah said: “I’ve so loved my time at Jazz FM. It’s been a family affair, making great friends and embracing brilliant colleagues.
“And the joy of discovering jazz more and more, from both jazz’s rich past and its thrilling present as well has been immense.
“It’s been such a privilege to gather music and share it with the people listening, and I’ve so loved putting my programmes together. I will miss our weekly musical conversations. And of course, it all goes way, way back.
“We’re talking about a career that stretches back to the sixties where I started my broadcasting career in Africa before doing it here in the UK, and that’s where my heart beats.”
Of Sarah’s decision to stand down, Jazz FM and Magic Classical Content Director Nick Pitts says: “Sarah has always been a jewel in the crown of Jazz FM’s programmes.
“Either as host of her collection or until recently this summer also as our musical tour guide on Jazz Travels, she has always given her every towards her programmes and those who listen, and we are all so incredibly thankful for this.
“As a family member of Jazz FM, the entire team have always had so much affection for Sarah meaning we will miss her so much along with her passion for and her knowledge of the music. We thank her from the bottom of our hearts for being such an important part of Jazz FM and everyone sends her and her life partner Ken much love as they get to enjoy more time together.”
Sarah’s final “The Sarah Ward Collection” will broadcast on Saturday 28th December (1800-2100). This programme will be followed immediately (2100-2200) by a specially produced documentary called “The Sarah Ward Celebration” in which her broadcast colleagues and the musicians she has changed the lives of will pay tribute to Sarah alongside a rare interview with Sarah herself about her career.
Sarah’s Saturday night replacement will be announced in due course.

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Oxford community radio station First FM is currently off-air following the theft of some equipment.
The items were taken from the station’s transmitter site at Windrush Tower in Blackbird Leys, Oxford.
The theft happened at around 13:30 on Thursday and anyone with any information is urged to contact Thames Valley Police.
The volunteers running the station tell RadioToday they hope to resume broadcasting as soon as possible on 105.1 FM.

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A new radio station for Oldham, Rochdale, Tameside, and Stockport is launching on Monday morning called Nifty Radio.

The station, identifying itself a new revolution in radio, will feature many former presenters of 96.2 The Revolution which got sold to Bauer and turned into Greatest Hits Radio.
It’s the brainchild of Alan Nield (Big Al), Tony Taylor, and Simon Walker, born from a shared vision to fill the gap for quality local radio.
The schedule includes Lee Glasby at breakfast, Big Al, Owen Sherratt, Anna Kirkpatrick, Kay Whyld, Jay McCreary, David “Broady” Broadbent, Ella and Gaz Worrell.
“We want every song to spark a memory, set the mood, or simply make you feel good,” says Simon Walker, Station Director.
“Local advertisers are the backbone of our community. We’re thrilled to partner with them to help their businesses grow while keeping local radio vibrant,” Walker adds.

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Former Manchester digital station Max is relaunching this weekend playing 80s music on DAB in Newcastle.

The station, run by ex-BBC radio executive John Ryan, has hired actor Louise Jameson as the station voice.
Features will include songs from a featured Classic Album each week; 20/20 Eighties Trivia; and games to play along with like the Telly-gram and the fiendish chart guessing game Maxematics.
You won’t hear the news of today on Max. Instead, re-live the top stories of each day in the 80s broadcast on the hour.
John says: “Max is the 1980s radio station for people who were there, back then. For me, it meant the years between 12 and 22 – leaving home, first jobs, first loves – and three very happy years living and working in Newcastle!
“Give us a try and relive your 80s memories – with Max.”
Max 80s will launch at 1200 on Sunday 1 December 2024 on DAB and online at max80s.co.uk. The station previously existed from 2015 to 2020 on the Manchester small-scale multiplex.

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A new app eco-system has been introduced by Radioplayer allowing users to have seamless listening across different platforms.

It works across car dashboards, smartphones and smart TVs where favourites and personal recommendations will follow them.
With the integration of Radioplayer’s advanced Data Platform, broadcasters now have access to more audience insights, making it easier than ever to deliver content that resonates with listeners.
OJ Torvmark, Head of Products at Radioplayer, comments: “Radioplayer’s new app universe is available for free, with no login required, no additional ads, and high-quality audio streams direct from broadcasters.”
“With this new app universe, we have built an experience that is not only seamless for users but also a notable change for broadcasters. By integrating our new Data Platform, we are providing broadcasters with the insights they need to keep their content relevant, personalised, and engaging for every listener, no matter where they are or what device they are using.” Torvmark continues.
The app rollout is done across all Radioplayer markets in Europe and Canada, on behalf of more than 800 broadcasters.
Yann Legarson, CEO of Radioplayer, also added: “At Radioplayer, our mission is to keep radio accessible and engaging across all connected cars and devices, and this new app ecosystem represents a major leap forward in that vision.
“We’re empowering listeners with seamless, high-quality audio experiences while giving broadcasters the tools to stay relevant in a fast-evolving media landscape. This launch is about ensuring that radio remains central to people’s lives, whether they’re in the car, at home, or on the go.”

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