UK

Aggie Chambre is joining Global in the newly-created role of Political Correspondent at LBC.
The former Sky Political News Editor and ITV Producer will work alongside Political Editor Natasha Clark, Scotland Political Editor Gina Davidson and Reporter Henry Riley.
Aggie said: “After six brilliant seasons of hosting POLITICO’s Westminster Insider podcast, I am absolutely delighted to be joining LBC as the station goes from strength to strength.
“I am so looking forward to working with LBC’s agenda-setting presenters and reporters, and speaking to its millions of listeners during the general election campaign and beyond.”
Tom Cheal, LBC’s Senior Managing Editor, said: “At this crucial moment for the UK, we are expanding LBC’s stellar political team and I am thrilled to welcome Aggie Chambre to the brand-new role of Political Correspondent.
“Aggie is a brilliant, insightful and hugely popular journalist and a natural broadcaster, with an established record of breaking big news stories in Westminster. She is the perfect fit for LBC and I know that our listeners will enjoy getting to know her, as she reports on the stories that matter to them.” […]

Burger King UK will be the headline sponsor of talkSPORT’s Euros 2024 coverage, kicking off this evening in Munich.

The partnership will run across the entire tournament on radio, digital audio, and talkSPORT’s social and YouTube channels.
The partnership will be fronted by the likes of Shaun Wright Phillips, Emile Heskey, and Ledley King, who will feature in a series of on-air activations such as bespoke interview features, as well as social content, including Burger King branded England game watchalongs and King Saver Penalty shoot outs.
Walk-In Media brokered the partnership marking Burger King UK’s first sponsorship of a sports competition.
David Wilcox, Commercial Director, News Broadcasting, said: “This year’s tournament will be talkSPORT’s biggest Euros to date, with more content and commentary of the games than ever before.
“We’re thrilled to have scored a partner in Burger King UK to sponsor our coverage, showcasing content that aligns perfectly with our tone of voice that is sure to entertain our audience.”
Katie Evans, CMO, Burger King UK: “2024 has been a really exciting time for Burger King UK with the recent launch of Foodfillment. Our talkSPORT Euros partnership is the next step in that journey. We are excited to deliver everyone’s Burger King favourites and provide the ultimate food satisfaction whilst they cheer on their team.”
Charlotte Mullan, Managing Director, Walk-In Media “Matching the home of the mighty Whopper with the biggest names in football on talkSPORT, for the biggest sporting event of the year is a Foodfillment partnership made in media heaven. We can’t wait for kick off!” […]

Michael Ireland, Radiocentre Director of External Affairs, writes about the importance of news on commercial radio during the elections.
“They don’t spin their own agenda, they just tell you the facts”
These wise words are from Michelle who lives in Bristol and is a typical commercial radio listener. Michelle is referring to news bulletins she hears on commercial radio every week, along with 39 million other people around the country.
The political party manifestos have now all been published and there are just a few weeks left until the general election. Election fever/fatigue (delete as appropriate!) is palpable.  
Political campaigning is going into overdrive, and while the candidates are busy knocking on doors, delivering leaflets and conducting media interviews, everyone else is generally busy getting on with their own lives. 
Party manifestos don’t typically make for the most scintillating reading. Add to that a general sense of political and voter apathy and the fact that we are more time poor than ever, it’s a pretty safe bet that most people will rely on information and headlines from the media. 
Election or not, commercial radio is a crucial source of news for listeners every single day of the year and last week Radiocentre published the results of new research highlighting the role played by radio broadcasters in the run up to 4th July. 
Michelle from Bristol was part of this study, conducted earlier this year by leading research consultancy Differentology. It ran a survey with over 3000 listeners and carried out further in-depth interviews with commercial radio audiences from around the country. Here’s what it found.
Radio – the most trusted medium 
Concern about false and misleading news is high, with 63% of listeners saying they are concerned or very concerned about this type of information being presented as news.
However, radio continues to be the most trusted medium for news and is considered to be the most impartial and accurate news source during an election. 
It’s perhaps not hugely surprising that there is a direct correlation between regulation of different types of media and trust in them. For example, trust in radio news is also over double the level for social media. 
Cutting through with listeners 
With news and election fatigue understandably embedding in, cutting through is vital. Radio, along with TV, is the top source of news that is least likely to be avoided due to distrust, with social media (followed by newspapers) most likely to be avoided.  
In the run up to an election, commercial radio is seen as the best form of audio for quick updates and a summary of key events. The UK audio market has seen exciting transformation in recent years, so it’s not just succinct summaries of election headlines that are delivered to listeners, with broadcasters across the industry investing in news and current affairs podcasts. 
The study also found that commercial radio news really cuts through to listeners, encouraging discussion and debate, as well as prompting people to find out more on other media – 7 out of 10 listeners have taken an action such as these after hearing a bulletin. 
This cut through is also strong with young people (16-24s), who are most likely to discuss what they’ve heard on commercial radio news with family and friends – and there are over 4.7 million listening. This is particularly worth highlighting as election coverage on social media is not always what it seems. 
We are all concerned with the levels of misinformation that voters, particularly younger first-time voters are being served on platforms like TikTok. Just last week a new report from the BBC highlighted that social media was already littered with fake AI-generated videos featuring party leaders, misinformation and clips with abusive comments.   
Reaching beyond the bubble
Finally, commercial radio news also has a unique ability to reach an important group of potential swing voters. Outsiders (over a third of commercial radio listeners and who identify as least engaged with news) are more likely to say they don’t know who they will vote for in the upcoming election. 
This group is also most likely to turn to commercial radio as their primary news source, and their reliance on it has grown since 2020. 
For those looking to reach a wider electorate, it is worth remembering that many people like Michelle from Bristol are listening to their favourite stations, taking in the facts from the regular news updates throughout the day as they go about their busy lives. And on 4th July they’ll be going out to vote. 
Michael Ireland
Radiocentre Director of External Affairs 
A new summary of Breaking News: How commercial radio cuts through with listeners in a general election is here. The full report is available here.  […]

AI is being integrated into the Radio Prep Essentials service with the launch of PrepPad and RadioPrepBot.

Starting in July 2024 and integrating with the existing services which offers aggregated content, show prep and audio imaging, the company’s new PrepPad and RadioPrepBot services will allow presenters and radio show producers to manage content and share all from within the content management system.
Radio Essentials’ Head of Development Stephen Waterhouse said: “Radio Essentials PrepPad is an all-in-one solution for managing content where we provide all the tools and content. Users can save, edit, manage, group, and much more, all through a single interface.
“We are also introducing an AI companion called RadioPrepBot, your personal assistant who will give you the latest weather, traffic, artist information, football updates and local news, all of which can be added to the PrepPad and shared across presenters / stations as required.”
See a video demo of the new services here. […]

A new radio station using the name Atlantic 252 is set to launch on DAB.

The station has a modern version of the original Atlantic 252 logo and will commence broadcasting at 8am on June 24th, 2024.
Whilst the people behind the revival want to remain anonymous, the station voice-over will be Jim Merkel, who was the voice behind the original station.
Jim tells us: “Atlantic 252 is vastly different from the majority of stations I voiced. I call it “stationality” like personality. The vibe and feel of the station was exciting, up tempo, and catchy.
“I’ve voiced radio stations around the globe, most of which are here in the US. Atlantic 252 did things differently. While so many stations had a “sterilized” or “homogenized” feel to them, Atlantic 252 had a sound to it all on its own.
“To be back as the signature voice on Atlantic 252 is a dream, and allows me to create some of those same magical moments that Atlantic 252 was known for!”
Atlantic 252 won’t be on 252 LW, but in certain areas of the North West on DAB, including Stockport, Bury, Bolton, Tameside, Rochdale and Oldham with plans to expand across the UK and Ireland as the year rolls on.
Presenters will be added next year, according to a press release.
The station says: “The comeback is aimed at the 40+ crowd – those busy parents who deserve a break and professionals who crave a little escape down memory lane. But hey, we’re also here to win over a new generation who missed out on our original run but are ready to fall in love with our nostalgic vibes.
“So, mark your calendars, set your alarms, and get ready to relive the magic. Atlantic 252 is back, bringing the beat that shaped a generation and setting the stage for a whole new chapter in radio history. It’s time to turn up the volume and let the good times roll!” […]

Cumbria.Digital has announced plans to apply for the small-scale DAB multiplex licence covering Carlisle and Penrith.
The company plans to reserve capacity for six community stations, surpassing Ofcom’s minimum requirement of four, to better serve the diverse communities in Carlisle, Penrith, and the surrounding rural areas.
It also plans to establish media hubs in Penrith and Carlisle to support community groups and organisations with the facilities needed to run their own stations on the multiplex and make radio accessible to all.
Cumbria.Digital informs RadioToday it has operated in the technology and broadcast sector over the last 20 years including providing technical facilities for a pan European Satellite Channel and supporting small business to unlock the potential of digital technology.
“We are looking to provide a platform that gives communities and organizations a voice, opening up the power of radio to all and bringing greater choice to listeners in the area,” said a spokesperson for Cumbria.Digital.
“We will support the existing community stations in Carlisle and Penrith, ensuring they have capacity on the multiplex if they wish alongside supporting new stations.”
Cumbria.Digital says it is already in discussions with potential commercial stations, including niche stations not currently available over the air locally, and wants to hear from anyone else interested in joining a local multiplex.
Details of the people behind the company have not been shared with RadioToday. […]