UK

Aiir’s rebranded RadioNewsAI platform Audio.co is now offering AI-generated commercial production and voice-overs.

The New York-based software company says Audio.co enables stations to create short-form content including news bulletins, traffic, weather, and commercials, using AI-generated scripts and voices with production music from TM Studios.
Lee Price, Product Specialist for AI at Aiir, said: “With Audio.co, we’re harnessing the latest advances in machine learning to make professional-sounding commercials and full news bulletins accessible to every radio station.”
CEO Ricki Lee added that the launch marks a key moment for Aiir, combining its broadcast experience with AI to support stations with accessible and polished audio content: “From $19 a month, you can now produce polished commercials, weather, traffic, and news updates that keep audiences engaged and revenue streams growing.”
The platform adds to Aiir’s existing suite of tools for broadcasters, which includes websites, scheduling software, and playout integration.
Audio.co is live now at audio.co

#mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width: 600px;}
/* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.
We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ […]

Radiocentre has launched a new campaign called Advertising Amplified to highlight the extensive reach and proven effectiveness of radio advertising for brands.

Launching today, 21 July, the campaign runs across radio, digital audio, out-of-home, social media, and digital display. It will be supported by a six-part podcast series later this summer to encourage brands to invest more of their media budgets into radio.
Radiocentre worked with Weber Shandwick to devise the Advertising Amplified concept and create the visual assets, while the audio ads were created by Radioville and voiced by comedian Diane Morgan, best known for Motherland and Philomena Cunk.
The humorous ads, in 30, 20, and 10 second versions, illustrate how turning up the volume gets you heard – just like radio advertising – and will run for six months across Radiocentre member stations and their owned audio platforms.
Visual executions created by Weber Shandwick feature reverberating amplifiers to show radio’s outsized impact, with lines such as “Hit them between the ears” and “Campaigns on radio grow market share four times faster”, alongside Radiocentre’s signature call to action, “See Radio Differently.”
Lucy Barrett, client director at Radiocentre, said: “With all the media choices on offer today, Advertising Amplified is to highlight the many proven benefits of radio advertising.
“We hope this campaign will remind advertisers of the medium’s enduring power, its growing audiences (now at 40 million) and the compelling evidence that it can amplify the impact of their advertising.”
Amy Garrett, UK President at Weber Shandwick, commented: “Radio is such a compelling medium for brands, and we relished the opportunity to bring this to life with Radiocentre.
Any Radiocentre member stations with questions about the campaign can contact steve.mcgoldrick@radiocentre.org.

#mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width: 600px;}
/* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.
We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ […]

Heart North East Drive host Vicky Pattison is to host a new weekend show as part of schedule changes on Heart.

Vicky’s new show will air late Saturday afternoons, 4pm – 7pm. Ben Atkinson moves to 10pm – 1am Monday to Thursday and Guy Howard is the new host of weekday overnights from 1am – 4am
The refreshed schedule will also see Olly Murs co-hosting a new weekend breakfast show with Mark Wright every Saturday from 9am – 12pm.
Olly said: “I’m absolutely buzzing to be sharing my Saturday mornings with Wrighty and the Heart listeners.
“They’ve actually given us our own radio show – can you believe it?! We have such a laugh off air, so I know we’ll have a great time doing this together. Expect plenty of banter, big entertainment, and obviously a bit of healthy competition. Can’t wait!!”
Mark Wright added: “It’s not every day that you get to work with your mate, and I just can’t wait for Olly to join Heart. I just know our listeners are going to love listening to Olly every Saturday morning, and we promise to bring you all the good laughs, fun and banter!”
Over on Heart 00s, Fia Tarrant is the new host on Breakfast, 6am-10am.
Heart’s Managing Editor Richard Steel said: “We’re so excited to officially welcome Olly to Heart! He’s already a great friend of the station, and I know our listeners are going to love him on the radio. Olly and Mark have such an infectious energy together, it’s the perfect way to start the weekend!
“I also want to say a huge congratulations to Vicky, Ben, Guy and Fia on their new shows. I can’t wait to hear them in action.”

Radiodays Europe is happening in March 2025 – use code RTY25ATH to get a discount and join us in Athens! More..

#mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width: 600px;}
/* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.
We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ […]

A new pop-up station from Virgin Radio UK launching today, will play music from the Britpop era.

Virgin Radio Britpop, which is available on DAB in London, on the Virgin Radio UK app and smart speakers, will take the Chris Evans Breakfast Show every weekday morning from 6.30am – 10.00am.
The station will play a mix of non-stop music, specials and sessions from the Virgin Radio archive, with bespoke programming from those who were a part of Britpop in the 1990s.
Artists played will include the likes of Oasis, Blur, Pulp, Elastica, Cast, The Charlatans and Manic Street Preachers; with live tracks from Shed 7, Richard Ashcroft, Suede and many more.
Mike Cass, Content Director of Virgin Radio UK, says: “The second coming of Britpop is truly here – from the Oasis reunion to so many seminal British albums celebrating their 30th anniversaries this year. So it’s the perfect time to celebrate the Britpop renaissance and give it the reverence it deserves with its own pop-up station at Virgin Radio.”

Radiodays Europe is happening in March 2025 – use code RTY25ATH to get a discount and join us in Athens! More..

#mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width: 600px;}
/* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.
We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ […]

The University of Bedfordshire’s Post Graduate Centre in central Luton will host a one-day conference that sheds light on the history, politics, and lasting impact of land-based ‘pirate’ radio.

Titled Signals from the Edge, this event will delve into the origins and influence of unlicensed broadcasting, with a special focus on the 1970s and 1980s.
The conference will explore the social, cultural, and technological aspects of pirate radio, a movement that played a pivotal role in shaping the music landscape, broadcasting practices, and the birth of community radio in the UK.
Topics discussed will include the rise of pirate stations, the music they promoted, the technologies they used, and how these stations were documented and archived despite their often elusive nature.
Dr. Lawrie Hallett, the organiser of the event, highlighted the significance of the movement: “The impact of unlicensed broadcasting is often overlooked. Various mainstream formats started out on land-based ‘pirate’ stations, and it certainly drove the development of Community Radio here in the UK,” he said.
“Many of those working in the mainstream today started out without a licence – so its influence is significant and well worth exploring and documenting.”
The conference will feature contributions from across the UK and Ireland, as well as international perspectives on pirate radio. Attendees will have the opportunity to access exclusive archive materials, including rare audio recordings, that offer a glimpse into the world of unlicensed broadcasting. Additionally, the university’s own community radio station, RadioLaB, will be on hand to record interviews with contributors and attendees, providing a live, interactive element to the day.
Signals from the Edge promises to be an enriching and immersive experience for those interested in the intersection of media history, politics, and cultural movements. Whether you are a long-time radio enthusiast or simply curious about the roots of modern broadcasting, this event offers a unique opportunity to explore the untold stories of the airwaves.
Don’t miss out on this fascinating journey into the world of land-based ‘pirate’ radio on Saturday, March 1st, 2025. More details here.

Radiodays Europe is happening in March 2025 – use code RTY25ATH to get a discount and join us in Athens! More..

#mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width: 600px;}
/* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.
We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ […]

The Lancashire Post and Blog Preston’s The Parched Pea Podcast hosted John ‘Gilly’ Gillmore will now also be broadcast on Central Radio.

Recording has begun on the new series in which Gilly hears stories from Prestonians across the city. It will be released on all major podcast platforms this Spring.
Gilly said: “Great to be back hosting series two and again hearing so many amazing stories from Proud Prestonions.
“Plus, with the added bonus this time of the podcast being broadcast on Central Radio it’s been a pleasure working with producer Nathan from the station who is the absolute consummate professional.”
Central Radio’s Nathan Hill added: “It’s been a fantastic opportunity for Central Radio North West to collaborate with both the Lancashire Post and Blog Preston on this podcast project.
“As a local radio station dedicated to serving our community, we’re proud to bring our audio production expertise to the table – recording, editing, and producing a podcast that truly captures the voices and stories of Lancashire.
“Working alongside our sponsor, Cozy Homes in Lancashire, has helped shine a spotlight on important local issues, and we’re grateful for their support in making this initiative possible.
“What makes this collaboration particularly special is how different media outlets have come together to create engaging content for the people of Lancashire.
“In an ever-evolving media landscape, partnerships like this show the power of local journalism and broadcasting when we join forces to deliver content that resonates with our audiences.
“It was also a pleasure to work with John ‘Gilly’ Gillmore, whose wealth of experience in broadcasting has been invaluable. His passion for local storytelling and his connection with listeners is unmatched and having him involved in this project has added an extra layer of professionalism and insight.
“We’re excited about the success of this partnership and look forward to future opportunities to collaborate with our colleagues across the local media sector.”
Nicola Adam is editor in chief (north & metro) at National World, owners of the Lancashire Post of which she is former editor and also presents a Sunday show for Central Radio.
She said: “There’s nowhere quite like Preston and the Parched Pea Podcast, hosted by the marvellous Gilly, aims to capture personalities and city pride through conversation and stories.
“It’s also fantastic to be working with Central Radio and Blog Preston in this new and refreshing era of media collaboration here in Lancashire.”

Radiodays Europe is happening in March 2025 – use code RTY25ATH to get a discount and join us in Athens! More..

#mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width: 600px;}
/* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.
We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ […]