UK

Radio presenter and podcaster Jon Holmes has opened up about his cancer diagnosis to try and demystify the disease and encourage conversation.
Jon Holmes was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2023, which he says came as a bit of a surprise because quite frankly he was far too busy for all of that nonsense. After a very odd, intense, unexpected, ridiculous year, Jon realised that men don’t tend to talk openly about the preposterous indignity of dealing with cancer. So he decided he would, with other men who have been through it.
In a new eight part series for BBC Radio 4, Jon Holmes Says The C-Word, Jon will be joined by comedians Stephen Fry, Mark Steel, Richard Herring, Matt Forde, and Eric Idle, actors Colin McFarlane and Ben Richards, rock star and The Alarm frontman Mike Peters, and journalists Jeremy Langmead, Nick Owen, and Jeremy Bowen as they share their own personal experiences of undergoing cancer treatment.
Jon Holmes says: “If there had been a podcast like this when I was diagnosed – one full of other people’s stories, advice and light moments to illuminate the darkness of the whole sorry process I’d have lapped it up. But there wasn’t, so I spoke to Radio 4, and now there is.”

Jon and his guests will demystify all things cancer in raw, honest, difficult, often absurd and – yes – funny detail, from fingers up the bum to blood tests via biopsies, surgery, catheters, stomas, feeding tubes, penis pumps (no, really) and incontinence pads.
Jon will seek to stop the stigma and embarrassment associated with these issues, to raise awareness and encourage listeners to ‘get checked’ as he aims to remove the fear from the whole diagnosis and treatment process in an accessible and entertaining way. Aiming to humanise what is often a completely de-humanising process paved with unexpected moments, Jon Holmes Says The C-Word maintains that retaining a sense of humour is all important.
Throughout the series, Jon will also be encouraging listeners to get involved and share their own experiences, whether it’s something they have been through themselves or if they are supporting someone with cancer.
Commissioning editor Rhian Roberts says: “Jon has been so generous in both sharing his own cancer story and also creating a new place for more men to open up and tell theirs. It’s down to earth, full of facts and with as much fun as Jon can muster, and that’s quite a lot. We hope it becomes a space where listeners know they’re in good company, no matter how difficult the subject can be.” […]

WorldDAB President Jacqueline Bierhorst has described radio as “relentless” and calls for continued collaboration to ensure broadcast radio’s prominence in the car dashboard.

International organisations including EBU in Europe and NAB in United States came together to highlight broadcast radio’s strength, and new in-car opportunities at the annual WorldDAB Automotive event on Thursday 13th June.
Over 300 executives from across the global automotive and broadcast sectors gathered in Prague, Czechia to talk radio.
Setting the scene, WorldDAB President, Jacqueline Bierhorst made a passionate call for continued collaboration to ensure broadcast radio’s prominence in-car. She described radio as “relentless” for its longevity and added: “We all have to pull together to ensure that DAB+ remains at the heart of the dashboard, in the best quality possible.”
Bierhorst was joined on stage by EBU Head of Radio, Edita Kudláčová, to highlight radio’s critical role as a trusted source of news, and its importance in times of crisis.
Tomas Granryd of Swedish Radio and Gwendolin Niehues, from Germany’s ARD, presented the new EBU “Playbook” for the connected car, an initiative from public service broadcasters in Europe aiming to unify the radio industry.
Niehues echoed the call for collaboration: “We really want to create one voice for the broadcasters with which we can then go to other industry players – car manufacturers, operating systems – so we can define clear projects to work on. Where we agree on the fundamentals, we are an attractive partner to the industry,” she said.
Photo credit: WorldDAB
The growth of DAB+ around the world was highlighted by many of the speakers. Karel Zyka of public broadcaster Czech Radio set out the development of DAB+ in the host country, with construction of new DAB+ networks for private commercial broadcasters just beginning. He also noted that the relaunched certification of DAB+ receivers in Czechia supports sales and protects customers.
Corinna Drumm, from the Association of Austrian Private Broadcasters (VÖP) spoke ahead of this week’s (21 June) launch of a second national DAB+ multiplex in Austria. “People just expect to find broadcast radio in their cars – this is a need which has to be filled by the car manufacturers,” Drumm said.
“Radio is the medium which offers the easiest access not only to entertainment but to information, and has the highest marks for trust, and is the most used source of news.” Meanwhile Javier Sánchez Pérez from Spanish public broadcaster RTVE spoke about its continued rollout of DAB+, expanding with one site each month, to reach 50% of the population by the end of this year.
Photo credit: WorldDAB
The importance of marketing to drivers was reflected by Kathrin Kluser from Swiss regulator OFCOM. Kluser set out that stations in Switzerland are starting to plan their individual FM shutdown strategies. She explained that once awareness of DAB+ and its advantages is high, communication can be targeted at drivers, and that this was important, as FM use in cars is higher than at home or at work. She showed the latest creative work, featuring “Bobblehead” models on car dashboards explaining the benefits of DAB+.
From Ford Motor Company, Frank Nowack, told the audience that in his view broadcast radio would stay as a part of vehicle entertainment systems, and that online services, data and audio streaming will be implemented and used to improve the broadcast radio UX and the overall audio offering.
Nowack urged stations to use the available functionality to be competitive with other radio systems.
Photo credit: WorldDAB
Offering a view from the US, April Carty-Sipp, from the NAB and Fred Jacobs of Jacobs Media said that despite the crowded dashboard landscape, broadcast radio remains dominant in the US, identifying two key benefits enjoyed by listeners: that it’s easy to listen to, and it’s free.
They also highlighted the opportunities open to broadcasters. “It’s fundamental, but given how connected these cars are, radio organisations must have an in-vehicle strategy,” Jacobs said.
These themes were supported by automotive market analyst, Roger Lanctot, CEO of Strategia Now, who set out the importance of the screen in-car, urging broadcasters to reimagine radio as a visual experience, and leverage digital radio for wide-screen, interactive experiences. He called on broadcasters to “show car makers what is possible and prove that radio is ready for its digital future.”
Photo credit: WorldDAB
Closing the day, WorldDAB Project Director, Bernie O’Neill said: “This event really demonstrates what WorldDAB is all about – bringing together broadcasters and auto manufacturers, industry leaders, experts, to discuss and work out together the future of broadcast radio.” O’Neill also revealed that Zagreb, Croatia will be the venue for WorldDAB Summit 2024, on 14 November. […]

The UK Community Radio Network has published its manifesto for Community Radio for parties, party leaders, and candidates to support the future of Community Radio for the UK.
The manifesto asks for the next government’s support for three points;
1. An Increase in the Community Radio fund to a level fit to support the sector
2. The continuation, development, and commitment to the longevity of analogue Community Radio
3. Community Radio stations being paid to play Government advertising and paid for PSAs
Co-founder and Director of the UK Martin Steers said: “This election is a great opportunity to highlight the needs of Community Radio, and we are calling on much-needed support to secure our future as a sector.”
To expand on these three points the UK Community Radio Network has drafted a detailed document as part of the manifesto which breaks the points down in greater detail, with background and explanation.
For instance, calling for the community radio fund to see a significant increase, and it developed to better support stations applying for grants, for Community Radio station licences to be extended past their current 20-year limit, with unlimited renewals of 10 year periods, and for Ofcom to immediately start the process of licensing new analogue Community Radio stations.
In addition to releasing the manifesto they are encouraging stations to share it with local candidates for their support and ask that stations let them know about any responses they get so they track the engagement nationally.
Martin Steers adds: “Whilst there are so many national issues at play, MPs are elected by local people, who quite often will be listening to their local Community Radio station that needs their support!
“And no doubt during the election the local candidates will have asked to be interviewed or attend hustings organised by or broadcast by Community Radio stations, now is the time to engage candidates with our issues!”
Once the election has been declared the UK Community Radio Network intends to sit down with the incoming Secretary of State and Ministers as soon as possible, to make sure that Community Radio is part of the agenda of the new government. […]

LBC is to host two exclusive election phone-ins with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Opposition Leader Sir Keir Starmer.

Britain’s Next PM, hosted by Nick Ferrari, will give LBC’s audiences access to the two main contenders for Prime Minister.
Sir Keir Starmer will appear tomorrow, Tuesday, 18th June, followed by Rishi Sunak on Wednesday, 19th June.
Global will also dynamically broadcast exit poll and election results on thousands of digital billboards across the UK, on air and on Global Player.
From 10pm on July 4th, LBC’s flagship Election Night programme, Britain Decides, will be led by Andrew Marr and Shelagh Fogarty along with Jon Sopel and Lewis Goodall from The News Agents, who will analyse the results as they come in. The seven-hour show will be live on LBC, and Global Player, as well as live on TikTok, and YouTube, and simulcast on LBC News.
It will be followed at 5am on Friday, 5th July, by an extended five-hour special election edition of Nick Ferrari at Breakfast with reactions and interviews with the biggest names at the heart of politics.

LBC’s presenting line-up, including James O’Brien, Iain Dale, Tom Swarbrick, Carol Vorderman, and Rachel Johnson, will provide analysis and insight alongside leading politicians, commentators and LBC’s callers, as the night unfolds.
They will also be joined by LBC’s political team, including Political Editor Natasha Clark, Scotland Political Editor Gina Davidson, Reporter Henry Riley, and Aggie Chambre in her new role as Political Correspondent.
The News Agents podcast, hosted by Emily Maitlis, Jon Sopel, and Lewis Goodall, will extend its coverage across the polling and results period, including a special episode on polling day and a series of rolling podcasts as the new House of Commons takes shape.
In addition to phone-ins with Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer, LBC will host a series of policy debates as voters make up their minds in the final fortnight of the election campaign. James Cleverly and Yvette Cooper will debate immigration in a show hosted by Iain Dale, and Victoria Atkins and Wes Streeting will square off in a health debate hosted by Shelagh Fogarty.
Global will deploy its full reporting team across the UK, broadcasting live from over 30 key counts. Reporters and correspondents will provide news for Global’s network of radio stations, including LBC, Heart, Capital, Smooth, and Classic FM.
James Rea, Chief Broadcasting & Content Officer at Global, said: “This is Global’s most comprehensive election coverage ever, and we have an exceptional team to deliver it. With LBC and The News Agents, on air, on Global Player and across our national outdoor billboard platform, we will keep our audiences informed with the latest news, results, and opinions from this pivotal election.”
Tom Cheal, LBC’s Senior Managing Editor, added: “Our powerhouse team of broadcasters, reporters and digital teams will deliver the biggest stories and analysis from this crucial General Election. From Britain Decides to Nick Ferrari at Breakfast, we will provide twelve hours of non-stop results coverage on air and through Global’s national outdoor billboard platform. The most important voices on LBC will be our listeners, and we look forward to hearing their reactions.”
Vicky Etchells, Head of News & Factual for Podcasts at Global, said: “With two weeks to go to the General Election, The News Agents are ramping up election coverage with seven episodes a week including a special episode every Sunday plus a Q&A every Friday. It’s exciting to bring two of the biggest news brands in the UK together in LBC and The News Agents, combined with Global’s unmatched platforms, to cover one of the most fascinating elections in years.”
All programmes will be broadcast from Global’s studios in London’s Leicester Square, Westminster, and across the country, fully visualised and streamed live on Global Player, TikTok, and YouTube, as well as simulcast on LBC News. […]

A number of radio people have been recognised in the latest King’s Birthday Honours list, including Dame Jenny Abramsky and Gordon Mac.

Dame Jenny Abramsky is a former BBC director of audio and music, and is now a Chancellor of the University of East Anglia. She becomes Dames Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) for services to Arts, to Media and to Culture.
Gordon Mac founded KISS FM in the 1980s, the same KISS that is now owned by Bauer and broadcasting across the UK. He is awarded an MBE for services to music.
Roy Noble from BBC Radio Wales has been awarded the CBE for services to Welsh Culture and Language and to the community in Wales.
CBEs also go to…
Barbara Jane Slater OBE, Director, BBC Sport, for services to Sports Broadcasting.
Broadcaster and Television Executive Alan Yentob for services to the Arts and Media.
Armando Iannuci, whose TV and radio career stretches back 30 years, is co-creator of the character Alan Partridge with comedian Steve Coogan.
Alistair Murdoch McCoist for services to Association Football and to Broadcasting.
There’s an OBE for talkSPORT’s Ally McCoist (former footballer), and Gayle Rosalyn Connors has been given a BEM For services to Radio Broadcasting in Essex.
MBEs go to:
Alexandra Jane Castle (Ally Castle), for services to Inclusivity and Diversity in Broadcasting. (Cirencester, Gloucestershire)
Tanya Jeneme Motie for services to Inclusivity and Diversity in Broadcasting. (London, London)
Nicholas Corbishley Owen for services to Broadcasting and to Charity. (Stourbridge, Staffordshire)
Diana Mary Speirs, Audio Executive Editor for Books, BBC for services to Broadcasting and to Literature. (London, London)

Llongyfarchiadau Roy Noble!
Roy has been awarded the CBE in the King’s Birthday Honours for services to Welsh Culture and Language and to the community in Wales. pic.twitter.com/ik8Pia0Kk2
— BBC Radio Wales (@BBCRadioWales) June 14, 2024 […]

A coalition of commercial media and content businesses have written to the Labour Party to warn against allowing the BBC to introduce advertising.

They say adverts around audio would cause damage to the UK’s creative industries and the content provided for audiences.
Yesterday (Thursday 13th June) the Labour Party published its election manifesto which highlights the huge potential for growth in the creative industries that benefit every corner of the UK.
In a letter to Thangam Debbonaire, Shadow Secretary of State for the Department for Culture, Media & Sport, the 15 signatories, including small businesses as well as some of the UK’s foremost media brands, highlight the devastating impact of such a change for consumers, licence fee payers and the creative economy.
The BBC’s services are currently funded by £3.8bn in licence fee income. Commercial media businesses rely primarily on advertising revenues, which would be eroded significantly if the BBC also sought to generate advertising.
This would inevitably reduce the ability of commercial operators – across radio, news, television and podcasting – to invest in content and services for audiences.
Signatories include:

Audioboom
Bauer
COBA
DMG Media
Global
Goalhanger
Guardian Media Group
News UK
News Media Association
PPA
Podmasters
Radiocentre
Reach
Telegraph Media Group
Tortoise

Last month, Radiocentre joined a wide coalition of media and content business who wrote to Lucy Frazer, Secretary of State for the Department for Culture, Media & Sport, to highlight concerns with the BBC’s plans and to request that Ofcom conduct an urgent review of the audio and podcast market.
Radiocentre CEO Matt Payton told RadioToday: “Our creative sector is a success story that provides British audiences with world-leading content and services. All of this could be put at risk if the BBC goes ahead with plans to introduce advertising, starting with audio and podcasts.
“Audiences understandably do not expect advertising around BBC content, which they have already paid for through the licence fee. We hope that this issue will be addressed swiftly when parliament returns after the election and that Ofcom will exercise its powers to prevent the BBC from introducing such a damaging change.” […]