UK

Community radio operator Churnet Sound has been found in breach of its licence conditions after Ofcom ruled the station failed to deliver key elements of its promised service.

The regulator investigated following a complaint about whether the station was meeting its Key Commitments.
These include focusing on social isolation and rural deprivation, involving local people in running the station, and ensuring accountability to its target community.
Between 19 and 25 May this year, Ofcom found Churnet Sound’s services in Stoke, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Congleton and Leek were broadcasting identical content and not sufficiently addressing its community focus. Although local news bulletins and a “Community Notice Board” were aired, Ofcom said there was limited presenter-led programming engaging directly with the issues of social isolation and rural deprivation.
The station also failed to demonstrate how volunteers could contribute to its management, or how it was accountable to its audience. Ofcom noted plans to create a new volunteer management committee but said no evidence was provided that mechanisms were currently in place.
In addition, Ofcom said Churnet Sound did not supply a programme schedule when requested and initially failed to provide 45 hours of required recordings. Although these were later submitted, the regulator found the delays and missing information meant the station had breached further licence conditions.
Churnet Sound told Ofcom it had faced disruption after alleged sabotage from a former volunteer and confirmed it was working to strengthen compliance, including new recording back-up systems and efforts to recruit more volunteers. It also indicated plans to surrender its licence for Leek and Congleton to focus on serving Stoke and Newcastle-under-Lyme, though no formal request has been received.
Ofcom concluded that the station was in breach of Licence Conditions 2(1), 2(3), 9(2)(b) and 10(1), and said it expected the operator to take immediate steps to rectify the issues.

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Bauer Media Audio UK has announced Rightmove as the first sponsor of Hits Radio’s Saturday morning show with Sam Thompson.

The three-month deal also covers Sam’s Sunday evening UK Chart Show, giving Rightmove a presence across both flagship weekend slots.
As part of the campaign, Hits Radio will run an on-air promotion through September, October and November offering listeners the chance to win cash towards home improvements. The activity is supported by a co-branded online page and short-form video content across Hits Radio’s social platforms.
Sam’s voice features in bespoke 30-second audio trails directing audiences to the creative page, while all campaign assets highlight that listeners can browse the UK’s largest selection of homes on Rightmove.
Simon Kilby, Managing Director of Bauer Advertising, said: “Sam’s gone from King of the Jungle to King of Weekend radio. He’s a Nation’s favourite and has a special bond with the Hits Radio listeners. The new partnership with Rightmove allows us to combine Sam’s personality with Rightmove’s innovative product – delivering impactful audio and original social content.”
Matt Bushby, Chief Marketing Officer at Rightmove, said: “Radio gives us a unique opportunity to reach people in a personal and trusted environment, while Sam’s brilliant energy will bring our brand to life in unexpected and entertaining ways.”
The sponsorship was arranged through WPP Media’s Wavemaker team. Katherine Erskine, Media Lead at Wavemaker, described the partnership as “a strategic move that showcases the continued power of audio in today’s media landscape.”

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Europe’s Biggest Dance Show is back on Friday 26 September, with BBC Radio 1 joining twelve other stations across eleven countries for its largest broadcast yet.

The all-night simulcast will showcase the best of each nation’s Dance music scene, beginning at 6pm BST with a half-hour mix from Radio 1’s Danny Howard before crossing live to BBC Radio 1’s European Broadcasting Union partners.
This year’s line-up sees more stations and more countries involved than ever before, with sets from major UK acts, Europe’s leading DJs, and a special closing show from Ukraine.
Head of Radio 1, Aled Haydn Jones, said: “It’s brilliant to be joining forces with so many of our European partners once again, and this year’s show is our biggest yet. With more countries and stations than ever before, it’s going to be an incredible night of Dance music for millions of listeners across the continent.”
The event first launched in 2019 and has since become a fixture in the Dance music calendar, drawing millions of listeners and uniting European audiences through one shared broadcast.
Listeners in the UK can hear the full event on BBC Radio 1 and Radio 1 Dance from 6pm BST, with Danny hosting a warm-up show from 5pm on Radio 1 Dance.
Participating stations include RTÉ 2FM in Ireland, 1LIVE and Fritz in Germany, Radio FM4 in Austria, Sveriges Radio P3 in Sweden, ERR Raadio 2 in Estonia, Studio Brussel in Belgium, NRK mP3 in Norway, YleX in Finland, NPO 3FM in the Netherlands, and Radio Promin in Ukraine.

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Actor Colson Smith is launching a new Saturday daytime show on BBC Radio Leeds, York and Sheffield from this weekend.

From 10am to 2pm every Saturday, Colson will share his love of Yorkshire alongside music, news and local updates. Best known for playing Craig Tinker in Coronation Street, he says the new role allows him to connect with the communities he grew up in.
Colson said: “I’m so honoured to be able to join BBC Local Radio in Leeds. While many know me from my time in Weatherfield on the telly – Yorkshire is where I grew up, and it still holds a special place in my heart. To be able to entertain communities from across this fantastic region is a dream come true – and I can’t wait for listeners to tune in!”
Simon Monk, Executive Editor for BBC Radio Leeds, said Colson’s energy and passion for storytelling will bring something new to the weekend line-up, while confirming that Nick Ahad will continue to present on Sundays.
Nick, who has been hosting Saturdays, will now present his show every Sunday from 10am to 2pm across all BBC Local Radio stations in Yorkshire.
The new line-up begins this weekend, with Colson on air from Saturday 20 September and Nick continuing the following day.

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Sara Cox is set to take on Radio 2’s longest-ever challenge this November for BBC Children in Need.

The Teatime Show host will complete five marathons in five days, covering 135 miles on foot from Kielder Forest on the Scottish border to Pudsey in Leeds, carrying a Pudsey Bear backpack along the way.
The Great Northern Marathon Challenge will run from Monday 10 November to Friday 14 November, taking Sara through Northumberland, Durham, North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire. She will rely entirely on her own efforts, either running, jogging or walking across moorland, ridges and hills, before finishing in Pudsey on the Friday afternoon.
Sara said: “When they picked me to get Pudsey to Pudsey, I was honoured and horrified in equal measure – we’re talking 135 miles of hills, moors and blisters – but I am ready for the challenge, and I will absolutely be giving it everything I’ve got. Just like with Vernon and Paddy, I know the brilliant Radio 2 listeners will be with me every step of the way.”
Her fellow presenters will keep listeners updated live on air throughout the challenge, sharing support and encouragement. A BBC TV crew will also follow the journey for a behind-the-scenes documentary to air later in November.
Paddy McGuinness, who last year raised £10.3m with his cycling challenge, said: “I know exactly what Sara will be going through so I and the rest of the Radio 2 family will be supporting her every step of the way, especially up all those hills.”
Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, said: “This is an extraordinarily tough five-day challenge that will test her endurance as she crosses stunning but demanding terrain to get Pudsey Bear to his home county of Yorkshire. I would like to thank Sara for taking on this mammoth journey.”
As part of the fundraising, Radio 2 will also host a Gala Performance of ABBA Voyage at the ABBA Arena in London on Sunday 9 November, presented by Scott Mills. The concert will include digital performances by ABBA alongside a live ten-piece band, with Scott warming up the crowd with a DJ set before the show begins at 1pm.
BBC Children in Need is encouraging the public to get involved by setting their own walking or running challenges, whether it is a mile at school or a weekend hike, to raise money for children and young people across the UK.
Sara’s challenge continues a long line of Radio 2 fundraisers for the appeal, including Paddy McGuinness’ Ultra Endurance Cycle in 2024, Vernon Kay’s Ultra Ultra Marathon in 2023, Scott Mills’ TreadMills Challenge in 2022 and Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s Danceathon in 2021.

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Alex Duffy and Emma Jones are reuniting on Nation Radio Yorkshire this weekend. […]