UK

BBC Scotland is launching a new weekday morning news programme, Radio Scotland Breakfast, which will replace the long-running Good Morning Scotland.

Martin Geissler, presenter of Scotcast, and Laura Maciver, senior presenter on Reporting Scotland: News at Seven will host the new show while BBC Radio Scotland’s Phil Goodlad will present the sports news.
Radio Scotland Breakfast, which will air Monday to Friday, 6am to 9am from 24th November, will continue the tradition of trusted journalism established by Good Morning Scotland.
Martin Geissler will remain host of Scotcast, BBC Scotland’s current affairs podcast available on BBC Sounds, TV, radio, and iPlayer.
Meanwhile, current Good Morning Scotland presenters Gary Robertson and Laura Maxwell are moving into new roles.
Gary will replace Martin as presenter of The Sunday Show on BBC One Scotland and BBC Radio Scotland, while Laura Maxwell will co-present Drivetime with Fiona Stalker and continue to present Lunchtime Live.
Howard Simpson, Head of News and Current Affairs at BBC Scotland, said: “The launch of Breakfast marks a new chapter in BBC Radio Scotland’s morning news service.
“The programme will have the journalistic rigour and depth our listeners expect, with Martin and Laura bringing their distinctive energy, insight, and warmth.”
Martin Geissler said: “I can’t wait to get started. I love the intimacy of radio and the space to really drill down into interviews.”
Laura Maciver added: “We want to bring clarity, pace, and personality to the new show, with hopefully a few smiles along the way too.”

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BBC Radio 1 has revealed the next group of rising DJs selected as Annie Nightingale Pioneers 2025 celebrating women and non-binary artists across the global dance and electronic scene.

The initiative, now in its fifth year, was created in memory of the late Annie Nightingale, Radio 1’s first female DJ and its longest-serving presenter.
Since its launch in 2021, Annie Nightingale Pioneers has become a key part of Radio 1’s commitment to supporting underrepresented artists.
Each year, three emerging DJs are chosen to share their mixes, stories and inspirations with listeners on the station, providing a platform for fresh perspectives and innovation in club culture.
Heléna Star plays house, techno and global bass. She has played at various clubs alongside many artists. Beyond the decks, Heléna presents a regular show on Foundation FM and co-hosts ‘THERAPY’, a podcast exploring parenthood in the music industry.
 Heléna says: “I feel incredibly honoured to have been chosen as one of this year’s Pioneers. For many young women, Annie was a great inspiration and is part of the reason I saw radio as a career option.
“I’m really excited to share this mix with listeners, it’s a complete overview of all the sounds and styles that I love. The music I champion comes from the soul, a want to connect and spread joy.”
Saint Ludo is a DJ and producer born in California, raised in Italy and now based in London. Her sets which blend UK bass, UK garage and jungle have earned praise from Dazed and Mixmag and have garnered support from the likes of Chase & Status and Skrillex.
She is also a Rinse FM resident and has performed at Glastonbury, Reading & Leeds, and The Warehouse Project. Her viral single ‘Subliminals’ recently surpassed half a million streams.
Saint Ludo says: “I am deeply honoured to be an Annie Nightingale Pioneer. Annie’s work changed the narrative of who belongs in dance music and radio, and I’m humbled and excited to carry forward that mission.”
Glasgow-born DJ and producer TAAHLIAH is known for her fusion of pop, club and experimental sounds. She has performed worldwide, including at Fabric, Razzmatazz, Dour Festival, Glastonbury and Sziget, and sold out the Southbank Centre for a one-off collaboration with the London Contemporary Orchestra.
Her debut album ‘Gramarye’ earned nominations for the Scottish Album of the Year and AIM Awards’ Best Independent Album. She has also presented on BBC 6 Music, covering for Mary Anne Hobbs.
TAAHLIAH says: “Honoured beyond words to be chosen as one of the Annie Nightingale Pioneers. To be recognised in her legacy is both humbling and electrifying; she paved the way for so many boundary-pushing artists and I can only hope to continue that energy by creating space for new worlds through sound.”
The 2025 recipients will each appear in a special show on Saturday 8th November from 11pm-2am, showcasing a bespoke mix reflecting their artistry and influences.
Aled Haydn Jones, Head of Radio 1, says: “Annie’s legacy lives on through this initiative, which continues to champion and open doors for new DJ’ing talent. This year’s Pioneers each bring something truly original, and I can’t wait to hear what they have in store.”

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Madness will perform their first BBC Radio 2 In Concert show with an exclusive, intimate set at the BBC Radio Theatre in London.

The announcement was made on The Scott Mills Radio 2 Breakfast Show this morning. The band will play to a small audience on Wednesday 26 November, performing many of their hits in the BBC’s New Broadcasting House.
The concert will be broadcast in Jo Whiley’s Radio 2 show from 7pm – 9pm on Thursday 11th December and on BBC Sounds, which will include chat between Jo and the band. Also, the performance will be on BBC Two and iPlayer later in December.
Madness said: “There’s nothing quite like playing in the BBC Radio Theatre, the intimate feel in that room just creates so much vibe and energy. It’s that kind of joy we live for, so we couldn’t ask for better, really!”
Jo Whiley added: “It’s always such a joy to have Madness in the building – they bring the fun, the stories, and of course, the tunes. I know this performance is going to be something really special.”
Jeff Smith, Head of Music for Radio 2 and 6 Music, said: “Madness are one of the UK’s most iconic and best-loved bands, with a back catalogue full of classic hits that generations of music fans know and love.
“We’re thrilled to have them perform for Radio 2: In Concert, bringing their unique energy and infectious spirit to our listeners.”
Tickets are available through a ballot here.

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The Broadcasting Press Guild has appointed Matt Deegan as its new Chair.

Matt has written about radio for 20 years and co-created the British Podcast Awards. Matt is also a Director at Folder Media, Podcast Discovery and Fun Kids.
He is well known in the industry as the presenter of The Media Club podcast, which discusses trends and developments in radio, TV and digital media each week.
The Broadcasting Press Guild, founded in 1974, brings together over 100 journalists who specialise in covering radio, television and media.
It regularly hosts lunches that connect senior media executives with journalists and also organises the annual Broadcasting Press Guild Awards.
Speaking about his appointment, Matt said: “I’m thrilled to be appointed Chair of the BPG. It’s an organisation that works hard to bring together the people who create outstanding work with those who write and broadcast about it. I’m looking forward to helping create even more opportunities for that relationship to flourish.”

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Bauer Media Group is evolving its management structure, with two closely linked leadership bodies – the Board and the Group Leadership Team.

The move is to strengthen the company’s focus on core businesses and speed up decision-making.
From 1 January 2026, the Board will comprise Yvonne Bauer as Chair, Vivian Mohr as Chief Operating Officer, and Michael Davie as Chief Financial Officer.
The company says the new structure will ensure Publishing, Audio and Outdoor remain central to Bauer’s long-term growth.
Vivian Mohr, who was previously President of Audio, steps into the new COO role and will lead the newly formed Group Leadership Team.
That team will bring together operational and financial leaders across Bauer’s key business areas. Simon Myciunka, CEO of Bauer Media Audio UK, becomes President of Audio while continuing to head the UK operation.
Justin Cochrane becomes President of Outdoor and CEO of Outdoor UK, and Ingo Klinge will serve as President of Publishing and CEO of Publishing Germany.
Other appointments include Svenja Dimke as Senior Vice President People and Tina Sany-Davies as Group General Counsel.
Yvonne Bauer said the changes build on years of healthy, profitable growth and mark the next logical step in Bauer’s transformation: “This new leadership structure will help us make faster decisions, seize opportunities more effectively, and continue on our successful path with confidence,” she said.
Vivian Mohr added that the new Group Leadership Team brings together entrepreneurial spirit and expertise across all key business areas, helping to align strategy and operations more closely.
The restructuring follows the recent integration of Bauer’s Outdoor division and ongoing investment across audio, publishing, and digital platforms, which the company says will continue to drive sustainable growth across all markets.

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The University of Sunderland has welcomed the Radio Academy for its latest Foot in the Door event, for students and potential audio professionals.

Supported by BBC Sounds and Broadcast Bionics, Foot in the Door aims to connect aspiring broadcasters with senior figures in audio, radio and podcasting.
Held on 15 October at the University’s David Puttnam Media Centre, the day-long event was delivered in partnership with the student-run community station Spark. It brought together radio, podcast and audio experts from across the UK to help early career professionals take their next step in the industry.
Workshops were led by presenters and producers including Hits Radio 90s’ Steve Furnell and Karen Oxley, both University of Sunderland alumni. They joined other industry guests such as BBC Radio 2 Head Helen Thomas, BBC Newcastle presenter Emma Millen, and Adam Wilbourn, Head of Podcasts at WhatCulture.
Lee Hall, Head of the School of Media and Creative Industries at the University of Sunderland, said: “The event was a huge success, connecting students with senior figures in the radio industry.
“And it wasn’t just about programme making for radio, students learned how to break into a range of roles including podcasting and technical careers.”
Dixi Stewart, Managing Director of the Radio Academy, said: “It was a wonderfully inspiring day full of fresh insight, thought-provoking discussion and audio passion.
“Students at the University of Sunderland are hugely talented, and it was a pleasure to share ideas about the future of audio and how their skills can help take the industry forward.”
Karen Oxley said: “It’s great for students to be able to get advice like this. When we were starting out, we wouldn’t have known where to find it, so bringing everyone together under one roof is a great opportunity.”
Steve Furnell added: “The facilities at the University are incredible and the opportunities are fantastic.
“It’s great that the Radio Academy has come to the north-east because this region will always be a hotbed of talent.”

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