UK

Christian station Radio Maria has joined three new DAB+ multiplexes in Peterborough, Norwich and King’s Lynn.

In addition to these new regions, the station is available on DAB+ in London, Cambridge, Bristol, South Birmingham, Stockport and Greater Manchester.
The expansion coincides with a milestone for Radio Maria – its fifth anniversary in England – and follows a recent Mariathon fundraising event which raised over £40,000
To mark the occasion, the station will host a Mass of Thanksgiving at St John the Baptist Cathedral in Norwich on Wednesday 23rd October at 10am. The Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Peter Collins, Bishop of the Diocese of East Anglia, alongside Fr Toby Lees OP, Priest Director of Radio Maria in England.
Quotes
Pierre Petrou, Head of Operations for Radio Maria in England said: “The expansion into these areas is a significant milestone for Radio Maria in this country. We are excited to bring our programming to more people across East Anglia, helping them deepen their faith and stay connected with the Christian community.
“Our listeners and supporters have been instrumental in making this growth possible and we are deeply grateful for their generosity and dedication. As we celebrate our fifth anniversary, we look forward to continuing our mission to inspire, educate and bring people together through the power of faith-based broadcasting.”
Steve Potter, East Anglian SSDAB multiplex operator added, “I’m excited to welcome Radio Maria to the Peterborough, Norwich and King’s Lynn multiplexes. By utilising the latest in digital radio technology, we make a diverse range of programme services available to these areas, ensuring that more people can easily tune in and connect with inspiring, uplifting and nourishing content.”

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The Audio Production Awards short list is out, and nominees include Meera Kumar, Jake Shears, Carys Afoko and Gary Younge, Stak, Rusty Quill and Deborah Ayorinde.

The event, organised by AudioUK, will be held at the BFI, London Southbank, on Wednesday 20th November.
Tickets are available here. tinyurl.com/APAs24-tickets
Full list of Nominees for the Audio Production Awards 2024 below. 

Best Audiobook Producer Sponsored by Sue Terry Voices
Alfie Thompson – Penguin Random House
Chris Thompson – Penguin Random House
Kate MacDonald – Penguin Random House
Lily Ridett – Freelance
Rosemary O’Dowd – Penguin Random House
Sophie Ahmed – Audio Always

Best Arts & Culture Producer
Arthur Hagues – Prison Radio Association
Geoff Bird – Freelance
Leonie Thomas – Overcoat Media
Lou Mensah – Shade Productions
Sharuna Sagar – BBC
Silas Gray – Eclectivity

Best Comedy Producer
Bertie Moores – Audio Always
Ed Morrish – Lead Mojo Productions
Jon Holmes – unusual
Lyndsay Fenner – Mighty Bunny
Matt Tiller – Tillervision
Sasha Bobak – BBC Studios Audio

Best Drama and Fiction Producer
Alex Curran – Granny Eats Wolf
Boz Temple-Morris – Holy Mountain
Charlotte Mélen – Almost Tangible
Nicolas Jackson – Afonica
Samuel Robinson – Freelance
Terry Mynott – Moonkarta

Best Ensemble Cast
Carys Afoko and Gary Younge – Over the Top, Under the Radar
Nish Kumar and Coco Khan – Pod Save the UK
Sayeeda Warsi and David Baddiel – A Muslim & A Jew Go There
The Ensemble Cast of Green Wing: Resuscitated
William Hanson and Jordan North – Help I Sexted My Boss
Zak and Jules – Life After Prison

Best Entertainment Producer
Charlie Murrell – Sony Music Entertainment
David Manero – Listen
Faye Lyons-White – Loftus Media
Helena Webb – BBC Radio 1 / BBC Audio
Josephine McDermott – BBC News
Katie Boden – TBI Media

Best Factual/Documentary Producer Sponsored by Great Big Story
Anna Sinfield – Novel
Emma Barnaby – Freelance/Raw TV
Jude Shapiro – Peanut & Crumb
Meera Kumar – Freelance
Ross Sutherland – Falling Tree Productions
Talia Augustidis – Falling Tree Productions

Best Lifestyle and Society Producer Sponsored by Everybody Media
Anne McNaught – Boffin Media
Beth Madden – Prison Radio Association
Catherine Carr – Pocket Productions/Whistledown
Lina Prestwood – Scenery Studios and Social Broadcasts
Matt Nielson – Chalk and Blade
Sam Taylor – Prison Radio Association

Best Music Producer
James Taylor – Overcoat Media
Matt Tasker – BBC Audio
Ollie Brookes – Prison Radio Association
Rob Littlejohn – Independent
Shreni Yajnik – Listen
Silvia Malnati – Reduced Listening

Best Narrator
Deborah Ayorinde – Unedited
Hannah Lavery – Almost Tangible
Jassa Ahluwalia – Bonnier Books UK
Joe Jameson – Freelance
Rebecca LaChance – Almost Tangible
Russ Bain – Actor

Best New Producer Sponsored by Amazon Music and Wondery
Cat Gough – Reduced Listening
Jasmine Hill – Listen
Mahsa Chadry – Audio Always
Nadia Medhi – Freelance
Taqwa Sadiq – Freelance and BBC
Verity de Cala – Transmission Roundhouse

Best New Voice Sponsored by BBC Sounds
Anouska Lewis – BBC Sounds Audio Lab & Mags Creative
Daisy – RAW for Audible
Jake Shears – Mercury Studios
Petra Barran – Scenery Studios and Social Broadcasts
Lucinda Rouse – Haymarket Media Group & Rethink Audio
Sophiena – Audio Always

Best News and Current Affairs Producer
Courtney Yusuf – The Guardian
Edward Drummond – Times Media
James Shield – Freelance/The Times and Sunday Times
Sam Chantarasak – The Times and Sunday Times
Tim Johns – BBC
Will Roe – The Times and Sunday Times

Best Presenter/Host, presented in honour of David Knowles
Craig Charles – Audio Always
Dan Snow – History Hit
Jake Harris – Yoto
Jon Holmes – Freelance
Josie Long – Falling Tree Productions
Justin Dealey – BBC Three Counties Radio

Best Sonic Branding Producer
Adam Venton – Little Monster Media
Emily Roberts – Kerrang! Radio and Planet Rock Station Sound
Gordon Lundy – Absolute Radio
James Stodd – Greatest Hits Radio
Matt Barnard – Bauer Media Group
Sam Parker – WIZZFX

Best Sound Design Producer
Amber Devereux – Tin Can Audio
David Chilton – Almost Tangible
Martin Austwick – Freelance
Nathan Freeman – Granny Eats Wolf
Tess Davidson – Freelance
Tony Churnside – Freelance

Best Sports Producer
Finn Ranson – Stak
Ilona Toller – Whistledown Productions
Jack Winstanley – IMG
Joe Aldridge – IMG
Justin Dealey – BBC Three Counties Radio
Lochlainn Harte – Freelance

Grassroots Production Award Sponsored by Morley Radio
Carousel Radio
Lou Mensah – Shade Podcast
Prison Radio Association – Life After Prison
Prison Radio Association – Outside In
Rosa Schling – On the Record and Hannah Kemp-Welch – Freelance
University of Manchester / Imperial College London – Let’s Talk About Cough

Little Ears Producer
Alice Homewood – Mags Creative
Becky Green – Audio Always
Eloise Stevens – Freelance
Jake Harris – Yoto
Lance Dann – Resilience Ltd
Lucy Wroe – Small Wardour Ltd

Producer of the Year Sponsored by The Podcast Show
Charlotte Mélen – Almost Tangible
Ed Morrish – Lead Mojo Productions
Jon Holmes – unusual
Leonie Thomas – Overcoat Media
Meera Kumar – Freelance
Talia Augustidis – Falling Tree Productions

Production Company of the Year Sponsored by Audible
Almost Tangible
Blanchard House
Novel
Overcoat Media
Unedited
Whistledown Productions

Publisher or Network of the Year
BBC Asian Network
Black Library
Resonance
Rusty Quill Ltd
Sky News
Stak

The Sustainability and Climate Award
Audio Always
Ben Weaver Hincks – Restord
Eleanor McDowall – Falling Tree Productions
Get Birding – Peanut & Crumb
James Miller and Bella Lack – Freelance
Robin Markwell and Tracey Williams – BBC Audio

Quotes
Chloe Straw, Managing Director of AudioUK, said: “The breadth of talent in the UK continues to fill me with joy each year. AudioUK’s Audio Production Awards provide a space to celebrate talent in a way that no other awards ceremony offers – spotlighting the producers behind some of the most creative and meticulously produced stories and shows in the world. And of course there remains an opportunity to celebrate those in front of the mic, with our hotly contested presenter and narrator categories. Congratulations to all of the nominees, and thank you to all the judges who share their time and expertise in order to judge these awards.
“I’d like to thank the Audio Production Awards team – Katie Banham and Naomi Oiku, without whom there would be no awards – make sure you get them a drink at the ceremony. Thank you to Megan Bradshaw, our Chair of Judges, for her wise guidance and words. To our EDI consultant Yassine Senghor, who provides unconscious bias training and guidance as part of the judging process. And thank you to the Steering Team, Kellie While and Leona Fensome.
“To our lead sponsor Audible, their support enables us to put the awards on every year, and to celebrate the people who make the audio industry. Thank you to Amazon Music and Wondery, our Pay What You Can Scheme partners, if you are unable to access the awards due to finances, please get in touch for free or discounted tickets. And thank you to our category sponsors, BBC Sounds, Everybody Media, Great Big Story, Morley Radio, Sue Terry Voices and The Podcast Show and our drinks reception sponsor BetterHelp”.
Megan Bradshaw, Head of Podcasts, Europe, Australia and New Zealand at Amazon Music and Chair of Judges said: “It was an honour to act as 2024 Chair of Judges for the APAs: the Awards recognise the best in audio production, and we actively ask our judges to consider the talent that most shines this year, against the context of the cultures we operate in, and the diverse audiences we as an industry aim to serve (and aspire to reflect). Many congratulations to all the nominees – see you on the 20th November at one of London’s iconic arts venues – the BFI.”

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Around 200 former Radio City staff gathered in Liverpool over the weekend to mark 50 years since the station launched.
They attended an organised event at Dicey Reillys on Wolstenholme Square to raise a glass to celebrate five decades of broadcasting.
People travelled from as far as Australia, Europe and all over the UK to acknowledge the milestone anniversary.
Many of the station’s former sports presenters were present, most of whom have gone on to work for BBC, Sky and international channels, whilst many former presenters have enjoyed radio and TV careers.
The evening also saw people raise a glass to founder Terry Smith, who passed away three years ago, without whom Radio City would have remained a dream.
Former employee Al Stirling has created a nostalgic website for former employees to mark the occasion and access imagery and video footage from the celebration.
Launched on Monday 21st October 1974 the radio station went on to become one of the most successful in the UK enjoying record listening figures and a multitude of industry awards for excellence.
Event organisers Molly Marshall (Hits Radio Liverpool/former Radio City) and Carolyn Hughes (former Radio City and now Carolyn Hughes PR Ltd) who have been responsible over the years for many of the radio stations landmark celebrations did not want to let the milestone anniversary pass without marking the historic occasion.
Molly said: “Radio City has a special place in many hearts throughout the region, and also with the many former employees who travelled far and wide on Friday to acknowledge this very special day.
“50 glorious years and so many memories made for so many people, I am beyond proud to be one of the longest serving members of staff and delighted that we could celebrate 50 wonderful years.“
Carolyn Hughes (former Radio City employee/CHPR) said” “With no formal celebrations planned for former employees for the 50th anniversary we knew we wanted to make sure that there was a celebration and an acknowledgement to the former staff for all the dedication they put into making Radio City one of the most successful independent stations in the country.
“We had no idea whether it would just be Molly and I, or a couple of dedicated proud former employees. When the final numbers hit the 200 tickets available we were thrilled that so many staff who worked so hard to make the station the award winning station it was were able to come together and raise a glass to 50 glorious years.
“The amount of love, affection, talent and genuine appreciation in the room on Friday evening was testament to the amazing team who built the Radio City legacy.”

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Radio reporter and broadcast journalist Kevin Gover has died.
Kevin started in radio in the 1980s with a daily show on a radio station in Brussels before heading back to the UK to work in Hampshire.
He was at Ocean Sound, BBC Wiltshire Sound, Spire FM, Wessex FM, Win FM and Dream 107.2 before leaving for London to work for IRN, ITN and Sky News.
In 2012, Kevin set up and run Winchester Today, a newspaper turned online/DAB station covering local news in his home town.
The website, WinchesterToday.co.uk, shared the sad news:
It is with enormous sadness that we announce the death of Kevin Gover. Broadcaster, teacher, journalist, editor and friend, Kevin was the founder and genius behind Winchester Today and Winchester Today Radio. He will be sorely missed by his many friends and colleagues, and we extend our heart-felt condolences to his wife Dilyara, his daughter Rachel and the rest of his family. We will be publishing a fuller obituary in due course.
If you would like to attend his funeral, as we feel sure many readers will, the service will be held at Christ Church, Christchurch Rd, Winchester SO23 9SR at 11.30am on Thursday 24th October. The family ask that if you wish to attend, for Kevin’s honour, to wear the colours of Bath Rugby – a bright royal blue, white or black.
No flowers please, but donations to Winchester Hospice as they took tremendous care for not only Kevin, but for his family too.

Screenshot

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All radio stations in the UK are invited to air commercials to help the latest appeal by the Disasters Emergency Committee.

Radiocentre is helping to co-ordinate the DEC response in light of the humanitarian situation in the Middle East.
The new appeal has been voiced by actor Adjoa Andoh and all commercial and community stations are once again being invited to support it.
The DEC says: “Millions of people across Gaza, Lebanon and the wider region are right now in urgent need of food, shelter and medical care.
“Conflict across the Middle East is devastating lives and millions have fled their homes in search of safety. In Gaza, the scale of humanitarian need is overwhelming, with no end in sight. People are dying of hunger and diseases, as well as injuries caused by the conflict.
“In Lebanon, more than a million people have fled their homes since mid-September, and emergency shelters are struggling to support all those in need.”
While stations are not obliged to take any action, Radiocentre is encouraging stations to participate in this appeal on humanitarian grounds. 10, 20 and 30 second versions of the appeal are available now. The DEC would be grateful for the spot to be played as often as possible from 17th October, with a particular emphasis on the next two weeks.
The spots have been distributed via Audiotrack and can be found with the JCN 3159383. Anyone who cannot access Audiotrack should contact helpdesk@audiotrack.co.uk. Community stations looking to run the appeal should contact office@communitymedia.uk. For more information on the appeal more generally contact ava.howard@radiocentre.org.

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Global is removing LBC News from 1152 kHz AM in London.

Audio running on the frequency says the service will cease on mediumwave at the end of October, advising listeners to retune to DAB or online.
The promo says: “From later this month the way you listen to LBC News might change. From the end of October LBC News will no longer be available on AM radio across London.
“To continue listening in this area you might need to retune your radio. You can keep listening on DAB digital radio, on Global Player, or by asking your smart speaker to play LBC News.”
LBC News has been broadcasting under various names on 1152 kHz, and will continue on national DAB via Digital One.
Global, Bauer and the BBC have all turned off multiple AM transmitters over the last decade, as listening moves to digital platforms.

New audio – From Oct 31st @LBCNews will no longer be available on 1152am in London. #AircheckDownloads pic.twitter.com/syATCzX6tx
— Aircheck Downloads (@airchecks) October 18, 2024

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