UK

Iain Dale has had to take time off from his LBC evening show after being rushed to A&E on Monday suffering with severe pains.

He posted on X late last night: “Three and a half hours in A&E and it looks like a gall bladder issue. They’re running tests. Might have to come back tomorrow.”
Earlier this morning, still in hospital, he posted his thanks for all the good wishes he’d received and an update on the test results: “Firstly, thanks for all the good wishes. I went to A&E last night at 9pm with acute pain on the right-hand side of my chest.
“I am now in intensive care awaiting an operation to remove my gall bladder. Not ideal. In fact, it’s a nightmare. NHS care at Tunbridge Wells hospital is so far outstanding.”
It’s not known how long Iain will be off-air from LBC, but a Global spokesperson told RadioToday: “Simon Marks is presenting 7pm-10pm from tonight to Thursday.” […]

Indiyah Polack is joining Capital XTRA Breakfast to guest co-host with Robert Bruce.

The former Love Island contestant and podcaster will be on-air from tomorrow, Wednesday 31st July, while regular co-host Shayna Marie is on holiday.
Indiyah now co-hosts the Love Island: The Morning After podcast and the PrettyLittleThing YouTube series The Pink Courtroom with Nella Rose.
Over the last couple of days, she has been reporting live into Capital XTRA Breakfast from Mallorca with the latest from the Love Island final.
On joining Capital XTRA, Indiyah said: “I’ve had a blast joining Robert over the last few days, dishing up all the hot gossip from the Love Island villa, and I am so excited and humbled to be asked to present Capital XTRA breakfast with him. I’m such a fan of the station, and I can’t wait to be in front of the mic. Bring it on!”
Matt Deverson, Managing Editor for Capital XTRA, added: “Fresh from reporting from the Love Island villa, we’re delighted to bring Indiyah into the fold at Capital XTRA, stepping into Shayna Marie’s shoes whilst Shayna is on holiday.
“We’ve seen Indiyah and Robert develop a really fun energy on air over the last two days, and we’re thrilled that she will be joining Robert for the start of the summer holidays!” […]

BBC Radio 4 has announced new audio drama commissions including Central Intelligence, showcasing world-renowned talent.

Produced by Goldhawk Productions, Thoroughbred Studios and Rainfall Creations, Central Intelligence is part of Radio 4’s Limelight strand of drama serials. It tells the true insider story of the CIA from the perspective of Eloise Page (Kim Cattrall), who joined on the agency’s first day in 1947 and became one of its most powerful women.
Central Intelligence, starring Kim Cattrall, Ed Harris and Johnny Flynn begins on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds on 13th September.
Other new commissions include King Lear, starring Richard Wilson and produced by Brill Productions, with more Shakespeare commissions to follow. New original dramas on Radio 4 include Breaking the Rules season, a series of one-off dramas exploring the theme of rule-breaking.
This autumn will see new adaptations of Charles Dickens’ Hard Times, Little Dorrit, and Our Mutual Friend.
Alison Hindell, Radio 4’s Commissioning Editor for Drama and Fiction says: “Radio 4’s commitment to audio drama is unrivalled, with more than 250 hours of world class productions brought to audiences each year, broadcast daily on Radio 4, reaching nearly five million listeners every week and even more on BBC Sounds.
“With Central Intelligence, Radio 4 and Limelight listeners are in for a treat: it’s so exciting to have world-class casting of this calibre to complement the bold ambition of this powerful drama serial.
“Audio drama is unique in the way it transports us to different places and times, and this ambitious series will give an intimate insider’s view of some of the most remarkable events of the last century.” […]

AudioUK has launched a short, anonymised survey to gather data as it steps up its work to secure Government measures to grow the UK podcast and audiobook sector.

Tax relief for podcasting and audiobook production was one of the policies in AudioUK’s manifesto, which it produced earlier this year.
This would be similar to other creative tax reliefs, in such areas as TV and film, in attracting a significant amount of additional international investment.
AudioUK produced a report in 2021 stating the case for the tax relief and, as the new Government looks to put together its first Budget, is updating that report to have an audio production tax relief proposal included, to show the subsequent growth in the industry and future potential.
Chloe Straw, Managing Director of AudioUK, said: “With an incoming Government in the UK, we are renewing our case for a podcast and audiobook tax relief to ensure we don’t lose out in terms of investment from interrnational brands, broadcasters, media companies, and platforms.
“We are therefore gathering a small amount of data, anonymised at the point of input, to help update our 2021 report and make the strongest case possible.
“We urge podcast and audiobook producers of all shapes and sizes to take a few minutes to complete this survey, which will be crucial in helping us to grow our industry and secure its place alongside other creative industries in terms of tax policy.”
AudioUK’s survey on tax relief can be found here. […]

Dumbarton based Lomond Radio is expanding its coverage on DAB with new transmitters in Langbank, Dunoon and Gourock.

The station was launched in 2020 by a group of friends to offer support to the local community during the challenges of the pandemic.
Initially broadcasting online, Lomond Radio began broadcasting on DAB across Glasgow last March. The new DAB transmitters go on air from this Thursday, 1st August to extend coverage across Dumbarton, Vale of Leven, Helensburgh, Greenock and Dunoon.
Director and Chairman, Alan Caldwell commented: “We’ve been working to bring Lomond Radio on DAB Digital Radio to the local area for some time now and delighted to be able to confirm that as from Thursday 1st August, you’ll be able to hear us on DAB Digital Radio across the local area and stay listening as you travel across Glasgow.”
Director Paul Lucas added: “It’s another exciting development in the Lomond Radio journey. We have an amazing team of volunteers producing fantastic local content which you’ll now be able to enjoy in the car or at home on your DAB Radio.” […]

Tony Simon with Nathan Hill

Central Radio has acquired online radio station Triple M Radio.

Based in Morecombe, Triple M Radio was launched by local broadcaster Tony Simon in 2016.
Speaking about the purchase, Tony said: “We’ve been looking for a buyer of the station for several months now, and out of several approaches made to us and had expressed their interest, the offer from Central Radio was the most fitting for us and our listeners.
“We know our listeners are in safe hands with Central Radio as they are dedicated to supporting local news and information as well as their vast variety of music.”
Central Radio covers around one million adults across Lancashire on DAB, Director Nathan Hill said: “Tony has done a superb job of building up a small local online local radio station to have a very loyal fan base, and we’re honoured that he’s chosen us to take over the reins of his project to bring in to the Central Radio family.”
Triple M’s online pages will eventually merge with Central Radio with new programming starting from 1st August 2024. […]