UK

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. […]

Classic FM and Smooth Radio presenter Margherita Taylor has an Honorary Doctorate from Birmingham City University.
After receiving the award, she told journalism graduates at Birmingham City University (BCU) to continue investing in their education in order to keep pace with the rapidly changing media landscape.
Margherita also paid tribute to BCU for the start it gave her in her career, especially the student camaraderie she experienced while there.
“It was lovely to be surrounded by students who were so passionate about the career paths that they were studying for,” said Margherita.
“Having those friendships from university as a support network when you start out in the working world was a real bonus. It’s been fantastic to celebrate the successes of so many fellow students over the years, and to have watched them achieve so much in their chosen careers.”
Margherita, who is also one of the presenters on Countryfile, told media students attending Friday’s graduation ceremony at Symphony Hall that completing a degree should not be the end of learning.
“The industry moves quickly,” she said. “Stay open to topping up your skill set, education and training throughout your career. It’s a powerful investment in your future.”
Margherita was awarded an Honorary Doctorate for her exceptional service to the City of Birmingham and for her outstanding contribution to public and professional life.
“It’s an amazing honour to be receiving this award from BCU,” she said. “It has been lovely to have stayed in touch over the years. It was great to catch up again with some familiar faces as well as meeting this year’s graduating class.”
BCU Summer Graduations 2024
Awarded an MBE in 2022 for services to broadcasting and diversity, Margherita has enjoyed a long list of exciting roles in her broadcasting career.
“I have felt very fortunate to have worked on lots of projects that I’ve loved on radio and television,” she said.
“Working with many teams across different broadcast platforms has meant I’ve had the chance to learn from some of the best in the business. That’s been one of the highlights. I’ve also been lucky to have had fantastic mentors through my career. I’ll always be grateful to them for their time, wisdom and continued support.”
Margherita, who began her broadcasting career at the Birmingham-based radio station BRMB before moving to Capital and then becoming one of the original presenters of the Channel 4 teen-focused show T4, is now determined to give back.
“In the past few years, I’ve begun working with the senior leadership team at Global to support others as they get their careers underway,” she said.
“When I started out, I was fortunate to be given lots of support and it’s been lovely to be able to pay it forward.” […]

Hugo Rifkind is taking over the mid-morning show on Times Radio, replacing Matt Chorley.
The broadcaster and Times columnist starts the Monday to Thursday slot on Monday 9th September.
Rifkind has been writing for The Times since 2001, after previously contributing to The Herald, The Spectator and GQ.
He is also the author of two novels, the most recent of which, Rabbits, was published in 2024.
A frequent panellist on BBC Radio 4’s the News Quiz, and the presenter of Campaign Sidebar (2015) and Hugo Rifkind’s Search For Power (2019), he was also part of the launch line-up for Times Radio in 2020, presenting a Saturday morning show.
From 2012 to 2024, he wrote a TV column in the Times’s Saturday Review section. He will continue to write his weekly opinion column in The Times and My Week, a diary parody of a person in the news.
Hugo Rifkind said: “I have adored presenting on Times Radio on Saturday mornings these past four years, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to be moving over to weekdays.
“I was a huge fan of Matt Chorley’s show, and he’s left big shoes to fill. I’m looking forward to getting stuck in, making the show into even more of an unmissable landmark for news and politics addicts than it has been until now.”
Tim Levell, programme director of Times Radio, said: “Hugo’s Saturday morning show has been one of the delights of the Times Radio schedule. Our listeners love his intelligence, wit and curiosity. This new show will mean even more people get to enjoy him. And its focus on all the big news and political developments of the morning will ensure our listeners stay across the latest as they go about their day.”
Times Radio will announce its plans for its Friday and Saturday morning shows soon, and Matt hosts his last show today. […]