UK

Lyca radio stations will be hosting two community events simultaneously this weekend.

As part of its summer content, Lyca Radio and Lyca Gold will host the Hounslow Mela at Cranford Community College, High Street, on Saturday, 22nd June, from 14:00 to 20:00.
On-air talents, including Ruby Raza, Radiowalli, Sonya, and Reema, will be on stage and providing exclusive social media updates with performers such as Zack Knight, Jaz Dhami, H Dhami, Roach Killa, and Juggy D.
At the same time, Lyca Gold duo Bali Brahmbhatt and Kajal will host the India Day Milton Keynes (IDMK) event, offering coverage on-air, online, and on-ground.
Khush from Lyca Radio’s ‘Mid-Morning Show’ will provide on-air updates on Lyca Radio, while Vish Bhatnagar from Lyca Radio’s ‘Afternoon Reload’ and Raj Baddhan from Lyca Radio’s ‘Drive’ show will lead live coverage on Lyca Radio’s YouTube channel starting at 14:00.
Raj Baddhan, CEO of the Lyca Radio Network, commented, “Once again, the Lyca Radio Network has demonstrated its strong connection with local communities by partnering with events that resonate with Lyca Radio and Lyca Gold listeners. We are thrilled to be chosen as the exclusive radio partners for these events. Our team will not only host but also provide extensive coverage on digital platforms from both events.
“These partnerships highlight the Lyca Radio Network’s commitment to engaging with and supporting community events, ensuring their audience stays connected and informed.” […]

The Community Radio Awards has extended its deadline to add a new category to recognise the best of the sector’s Election coverage.
A new ‘General Election’ category has been added to this year’s awards, while the date for all categories has been extended until July 31st to allow for new submissions.
Martin Steers, Awards Chair, explains: “We know stations up and down the country have innovative and unique ways of engaging with elections, on the issues that matter to their communities.
“We also recognise that many stations might be spending time running hustings, and other elections coverage for this snap election so might not have the time needed to complete submissions for the original deadline. This extension allows time for these to be recognised at this year’s awards.”
As well as extending the deadline for all the Community Radio Awards, the deadline for the Community Radio Honours submissions has also been extended.
The Community Radio Awards, sponsored by Aiir, has an Honours programme to recognise those who have made a significant impact to the community radio sector.
Nominations can be of any age, or experience in regard to community radio. They may have worked within or be connected to the wider sector; they do not need to have been directly associated with a particular station.
The awards are also recruiting judges and is always looking for a variety of judges from across a wide range of areas to include community, commercial and BBC radio and media, arts, community development, and academia.
Judging can be a great way to support the sector and awards and should only take a few hours via their online platform, with judging taking place across August and September. To register interest as a judge head here.
The awards hope to release the finalists in September, with the awards ceremony is being planned for October alongside the UK Community Radio Networks Annual Community Radio conference. […]

Times Radio’s election night coverage will be led by Matt Chorley, kick-starting 100 hours of non-stop live election programming.

Broadcasting live from 9:55pm to 6am, Matt Chorley will navigate listeners through the night with expert analysis, interviews and real-time updates on election results.
Presenters on location will include John Pienaar at Labour Party headquarters, Jane Garvey in North Yorkshire for Rishi Sunak’s count, Patrick Maguire in Keir Starmer’s constituency, Fi Glover in Surrey for Jeremy Hunt’s result, Carole Walker in Portsmouth North where Penny Mordaunt is hoping to be re-elected and Rosie Wright in Clacton, where Nigel Farage is standing.
It’s part of what Times Radio is calling Britain’s biggest ever live election programme: 100 hours of live election coverage, bringing listeners all the latest results, announcements, speeches, reaction and analysis following the election outcome, starting at 9.55pm on Thursday 4 July and continuing uninterrupted through to 2am on Tuesday 9 July.
The election coverage will continue on Friday 5th July, with a special edition of Times Radio Breakfast, presented by Aasmah Mir, Stig Abell, Calum Macdonald and Chloe Tilley at Downing Street. Matt Chorley returns at 10am, with Andrew Neil at 1pm and a live show from Westminster presented by Ayesha Hazarika and John Pienaar from 2 to 7pm.
Times Radio’s 100 hours of continuous election coverage continues through the weekend, with live shows covering all the latest announcements, changes and speculation, as the new government takes shape, unveiling its first appointments and policies, and those not in Downing Street work out their next steps.
Joining Matt Chorley on election night are:

Andrew Neil – Times Radio presenter and renowned broadcaster
William Hague – Times columnist, former foreign secretary and leader of the Conservative Party
Kate McCann – Times Radio’s political editor.
Ayesha Hazarika – Times Radio presenter and former Labour political adviser
Ed Vaizey – Times Radio presenter and former Conservative culture minister
Calum Macdonald – Times Radio presenter

Additionally, Labour strategist Peter Mandelson, Times columnist and former Conservative adviser Daniel Finkelstein, and former director of policy for the deputy prime minister Polly Mackenzie will be live for two special editions of the hit podcast “How To Win An Election”, at both 11pm on election night and again at 11am the following morning. Together, these three are among the most experienced political strategists of the past four decades.
Tim Levell, Times Radio’s programme director, said: “This is Times Radio’s first General Election, and we are raising the broadcasting bar with 100 hours of continuous election coverage. Our listeners can tune in any time from Thursday night onwards to get the latest announcements and analysis. And as the results come in, Matt Chorley will be the perfect host, ensuring that listeners who stay up overnight will find no better place on the radio for expert analysis, latest reaction and entertaining company.”
Matt Chorley, Times Radio presenter, said: “Election night is one of those moments when political history will be made in real time – what a privilege to be on air as it unfolds. In keeping with our reputation for doing things differently, we will combine having the best correspondents around the country, with the best conversation in the studio, and some very special guests to make sure it is election night without the boring bits.”
Full schedule and presenters for the 100 hours is as follows:
THURSDAY 4 JULY
9.55pm Election live: Matt Chorley with the General Election results
FRIDAY 5 JULY
6am Election live: Breakfast with Aasmah Mir, Stig Abell, Chloe Tilley and Calum Macdonald
10am Election live: Matt Chorley including a live edition of How To Win An Election
1pm Election live: Andrew Neil
2pm Election live: Ayesha Hazarika and John Pienaar
7pm Election live: Ed Vaizey
10pm Election live: Henry Bonsu
SATURDAY 6 JULY
1am Election live: James Hanson
6am Election live: Breakfast with Chloe Tilley and Calum Macdonald
10am Election live: Hugo Rifkind
1pm Election live: Alexis Conran
4pm Election live: Ayesha Hazarika
7pm Election live: Carole Walker
10pm Election live: Darryl Morris
SUNDAY 7 JULY
1am Election live: James Hanson
6am Election live: Breakfast with Chloe Tilley and Calum Macdonald
10am Election live: Kate McCann and Adam Boulton
1pm Election live: Alexis Conran
4pm Election live: Ayesha Hazarika
7pm Election live: Carole Walker
10pm Election live: Darryl Morris
MONDAY 8 JULY
1am Election live: Rosie Wright
6am Election live: Breakfast with Aasmah Mir and Stig Abell
10am Election live: Matt Chorley
1pm Election live: Ed Vaizey
2pm Election live: Jane Garvey and Fi Glover
4pm Election live: John Pienaar
7pm Election live: Kait Borsay
10pm Election live: Carole Walker […]

Heart has become the exclusive radio partner for Manchester Pride and Leeds Pride, in addition to London and Brighton and Hove.

The station has also launched a brand-new Heart Pride Playlist via Global Player.
Heart presenters will be joining the Pride in London parade aboard the Heart Truck once again this year as the station returns as national radio partner. The Global network, pride@global, made up of LGBTQ+ staff and allies will also be marching at the event playing their Heart Pride Playlist.
In Brighton & Hove Pride, Heart South’s Rich Clarke will be at the event live intro-ing artists on stage.
The world-famous Manchester Pride Parade returns to Manchester Pride Festival and the station says this year it is ‘Buzzin’ to be Queer’! Heart presenters will be joining the Manchester Pride parade aboard the Heart Truck once again this year as theGlobal network, pride@global, will be marching at the event playing their Heart Pride Playlist on Saturday 24th August 2024.
Manchester Pride continues with the Gay Village Party taking place from Friday 23rd August to Monday 26th August 2024.
In Yorkshire, the Leeds Pride parade starts at Millennium Square and then winds its way down to Lower Briggate by the Calls, and includes a DJ set from Heart Yorkshire’s Dixie. […]

Gaydio and Warner Music Group have partnered to launch a special project for Pride in London 2024.

Together they’ll bring to life a Pride float titled Sounds Like Pride; a slogan they say encapsulates the spirit and freedom of Pride itself.
The Sounds Like Pride float will house an array of artists, songwriters, producers, DJs, and radio presenters, like Atlantic Records’ all-new pop group, Say Now, and Warner Chappell Music UK’s Blythe and Lozeak.
Kriss Herbert, Network Content Director, Gaydio says: “Gaydio and Warner Music Group both bring the Sound of Pride to people’s lives so it’s only right that we team up to do the same for the streets of London during the iconic Pride in London Parade.
“We can’t wait to march with Pride through the city, celebrating love and inclusivity at one of the biggest events in the queer calendar.”
Marcia Fray, Head of DEI, EMEA, Warner Music Group says: “We’re so excited to partner with Gaydio this Pride, and I hope the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies know that we stand with them in solidarity. We’re actively taking steps to ensure everybody is valued for who they are and we recognise within the community there are individuals that experience additional challenges due to intersectionalities.
“It’s vital we all do what we can to support our communities, artists and songwriters so they can create authentic music that’s true to their identity and appeals to a diverse audience.” […]

Three Bauer radio brands will be live from the Isle of Wight Festival at Seaclose Park this weekend.

Absolute Radio, Greatest Hits Radio and Hits Radio will be bringing live performances, interviews and other highlights from the festival, along with special documentaries.
Absolute leads the comprehensive coverage, kicking off this Thursday night with a Pet Shop Boys documentary hosted by Matt Lucas. ‘Pet Shop Boys – A Celebration’ will air on Absolute Radio at 9pm, ahead of the weekend, with the chance to listen again on Greatest Hits Radio on Sunday afternoon at 4pm.
Absolute Radio’s Ben Burrell and Sarah Champion will be broadcasting live backstage with shows on Friday from 7pm, Saturday from 6pm and Sunday from 5pm.
Both Absolute Radio and Hits Radio have been offering listeners a chance to win tickets to the festival in the run-up to the event.
In addition to the Pet Shop Boys documentary this Sunday, Greatest Hits Radio South Coast’s Rick Jackson joins Richard Allinson and Kate Thornton on their Saturday shows (from 10am and 1pm) and Rick will be with Richard again the Sunday with even more festival news from 10am.
And for those who miss out at the weekend – or want to relive festival highlights once again – Jackie Brambles will be sharing all the best bits on her Greatest Hits Radio show the week after (Monday – Thursday from 7pm).
Gary Stein, Director of Audio for Bauer Media Audio UK said: “The Isle of Wight Festival is one of the year’s most anticipated live music events, and we are thrilled to immerse our listeners in the experience, whether it be winning their way into the event or making them feel like they are there, as we bring their favourite artists to their radio, smart speaker and phone.” […]