UK

Exclusive production and ad sales rights to the political podcast The Trawl have been acquired by Global.

The deal will see the podcast produced by Global’s in-house production team and it will be available to Global’s advertising partners for host read and spot ad opportunities. It will also be added to Global’s digital ad exchange, DAX.
Hosted by political commentator Marina Purkiss, and broadcaster and writer Jemma Forte, each week they scroll through social media to find entertaining, and often damning political discussions.
Previous guests discussing the political stories include Carol Vorderman, comedian Jen Brister, and Green Peer Jenny Jones.
Marina and Jemma said: “We’re very proud of what we’ve achieved so far with The Trawl but it’s definitely time to take it out of our bedrooms and into the state-of-the-art studios at Global.
“We both listen to LBC all the time and love The News Agents podcast so becoming part of the Global network feels like a perfect fit.
“With the weight of Global behind us, we are hoping their experienced sales house will take the pod to the next level, find more ears for us to beam into and continue to grow our audience.”
Vicky Etchells, Global’s Head of News and Factual podcasts added: “I’m delighted to be welcoming The Trawl to Global. This year will see more elections than any other year in history as around half the world goes to the polls, so it’s the perfect time to expand our news podcast portfolio.
“Hosts Marina Purkiss and Jemma Forte have a unique style that combines expert analysis with witty, relatable humour and with so many political podcasts led by all-male line-ups, I’m looking forward to working with two incredibly impressive women.
“Their entertaining and candid conversations have built up a loyal audience and the podcast will sit seamlessly alongside our slate of hit news podcasts which includes The News Agents with Emily Maitlis, Jon Sopel and Lewis Goodall, Full Disclosure with James O’Brien, and Rachel Johnson’s Difficult Women.”
The Trawl was launched in July 2022 and was previously produced and represented by Goalhanger. […]

Former sports reporter, commentator and journalist Neil Roy has passed away at the age of 80.

Neil’s was best-known for his time as editor of The Bedfordshire Times, he also worked at Chiltern Radio and BBC Three Counties Radio.
He spent more than 30 years covering the Bedford Blues rugby club, and as a former Keeper of the Records, was a part of the production of the club’s history books. He was Editor of 100 Years of the Blues released in 1986 and 125 Years of the Blues released in 2011.
In the early days of his broadcasting career, Neil was involved with Bedford hospital radio and helped many younger local and national journalists across the years.
An obituary on the Bedford Blues website described Neil as: “A true Bedfordian who will be sadly missed.”
It added that the club’s flag will fly at half-mast this week in his memory. […]

Ofcom is reminding stations about their obligations to ensure their content complies with the Broadcasting Code for the upcoming General Election.

The regulator wants broadcasters to make sure they and their staff are aware of the due impartiality, due accuracy and special election rules.
It adds that it will consider breaches of Sections Five and Six in election programming as serious resulting in financial penalty or even revocation of a licence in the most serious cases.
These rules are designed to safeguard the integrity of democratic debate, recognising the important role that the broadcast media play in ensuring that audiences are able to access news and current affairs they can trust.
Rules around election programming include not having candidates as presenters, and for all and any election coverage to comply with the highest standards of due impartiality.
You can see the full details of this note here. […]

Iain Dale has hosted his last radio show on LBC for the time being to put himself forward to be selected as a candidate for MP in the General Election on 4th July.
Talking live on air this evening, Iain Dale told his listeners: “You know how much politics means to me. And if you’ve listened for any length of time, you know I’ve always had two ambitions in life.
“One was to be a radio presenter and the other was to be an MP. Last time I tried, the electorate fought back. But now I am putting my hat in the ring again to be a candidate at the General Election.
“Whatever the result, I feel I can play a role in restoring trust and honesty in politics. There are no guarantees I’ll even be selected, let alone elected, but I know that I would forever kick myself if I didn’t at least have a go.
“Even if you don’t share my politics, I hope at least, that is something you can respect. I want to thank everyone at LBC and at Global for their support, friendship and love and for their understanding, especially to all my producers over the years.”

Iain Dale bids us farewell after 14 years as he announces he’ll be standing to be an MP
“Now I am putting my hat in the ring again… Whatever the result I feel I can play a role in restoring trust and honesty in politics. I would forever kick myself if I didn’t have a go.”… pic.twitter.com/7xceTzWpEs
— Natasha Clark (@NatashaC) May 28, 2024

Iain joined LBC in 2010 and has presented four LBC General Election Night shows, two American Presidential Election shows, the station’s Scottish and Brexit referendum night shows, as well as the station’s evening show.
Tom Cheal, LBC’s Senior Managing Editor, told RadioToday: “Iain Dale is a world-class broadcaster, and has been hugely important in helping to make LBC the political powerhouse it is today. I’m sure this isn’t the last we’ve heard of Iain on LBC.
“We understand his decision and thank him for his massive contribution to the station.”
Broadcast rules mean candidates in the General Election aren’t allowed to present radio shows and LBC tells RadioToday it will announce its evening programming plans for the election period shortly.

An emotional farewell from @IainDale as he announces on air that he is leaving LBC, for now, to stand for a seat in the General Election.
Great fun to have around and a master at what you do – best of luck, Iain.
⬇️ pic.twitter.com/cLbKVppmwD
— Fraser Knight (@Fraser_Knight) May 28, 2024 […]

Coventry Hospital Radio returned this week following a major studio refurbishment.
The station stopped producing its live programmes the week before to allow the installation of a new mixing desk in both studios alongside some new equipment.
PR Officer Simon Tidmarsh said: “It’s fantastic to be back on-air in our refitted studio. It follows after a couple of years of fundraising & donations from the public.
“On top of this with the Covid Pandemic in the middle of our fundraising events, it really has made a huge difference to our team of volunteers, they now have a really professional working environment in which to broadcast to our listeners.”
The radio station broadcasts to patients and staff at the University Hospital in Coventry and says it is always keen to hear from people who want to get involved with its voluntary work and full training will be given.
Visit coventryhospitalradio.org for more details. […]

The first round of the Community Radio Fund 2024-2025 is now open for applications from eligible stations.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has made £400,000 available over the 2024-2025 financial year, meaning the panel will allocate approximately half of this to Round One applicants.
The Fund supports the core costs of running Ofcom-licensed community radio stations as set out in the guidance notes published by Ofcom.
Licensees that hold a Community Digital Sound Programme (C-DSP) licence are eligible to apply for the Fund if the station is broadcasting on a digital radio multiplex at the date of their application.
Grants can only be made to Ofcom-licensed community radio stations in the UK, broadcasting on AM, FM, or via a C-DSP licence on a digital radio multiplex.
The closing date is 5pm on Friday 14 June 2024 and decisions are expected in late July 2024. […]