UK

Hits Radio’s national breakfast show is airing on the former Metro and TFM frequencies in the north east this week whilst Steve and Karen are on holiday.
Instead of the region’s only local show on the station, listeners are getting the established weekday Hits Radio Breakfast Show with Fleur East, James & Matt from London.
This is the first time Bauer has used the existing Hits Radio national breakfast show as cover on a large station like this, instead of a using a local cover presenter.
Until recently, at least one local show had to be broadcast but the new Media Act now allows 24/7 programming from outside the TSA.
Listeners have been quick to let Steve and Karen know what they think of the stand-in show on their Facebook page, with the majority of comments not liking the alternative offering.
No introduction or split link was offered at the start of the week to explain the change, although the three presenters are already known to regional listeners via a networked weekend show.
Next week, the Hits Radio Breakfast Show with Fleur East, James & Matt will also air on the former Hallam FM frequencies as Big John takes a break.
Bauer did not comment on the move when asked by RadioToday.

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Wisebuddah has created new themes and jingles for BBC Radio 2 including the new Scott Mills Breakfast Show.

Commissioned in partnership with the BBC Popular Music Station Sound Team and recorded at the Metropolis Studios in London, the package featured the House Gospel Choir.
The themes are backed by two lead singers, a drummer, brass players, and a curated ensemble of musicians.
Wisebuddah said the jingles bring to life the collective experience of millions tuning in each morning and create a sense of belonging, where every listener feels part of the show’s community.
Wisebuddah’s Managing Director, Phil Tozer: “The beauty of radio is its ability to unite people, and this jingle package embodies that collective spirit. Everyone involved has created something special – the sound of a nation, all in tune, sharing a moment with Scott every morning.
“This is more than just a jingle package; it’s the sound of connection.
“With over 175 mixouts, the package ensures Scott Mills’ Breakfast Show remains fresh, exciting, and in tune with the audience.”
The project also included new show packages for Trevor Nelson, DJ Spoony, and Kitchen Disco, extending Wisebuddah’s signature sound across a range of BBC Radio 2 programmes.
Have a listen to five of the themes here.

@bbcradio2 This must be so surreal 😅 #ScottMillsBreakfastShow @scottmills @House Gospel Choir ♬ original sound – BBC Radio 2

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Becky Want and Jo Good are broadcasting from pubs across England this week as they take the BBC local radio Late Show on the road.

They are carrying Eastenders’ Queen Victoria bust with them across the country on a tour of real Queen Vic pubs.
In partnership with BBC History, the BBC local radio presenters started in Newcastle Upon Tyne and are heading on a journey south, finishing in the Bermondsey pub said to have inspired Albert Square’s famous Queen Victoria at the heart of the TV soap.
They will take BBC History’s replica Queen Vic bust seen on the bar in Walford to real Queen Vic pubs across England, meeting the people who live, work, and socialise in them.
The all-England Late Show will broadcast from the Queen Vic pubs from 10pm to 1am, meeting local communities in each area and hearing stories about what makes each place special.
It all started last night at The Queen Victoria pub in Gosforth, Newcastle Upon Tyne and heads to other Queen Victoria pubs in Darfield (Barnsley), Syston (Leicester), Malden (Essex), and Bermondsey (London).
Presenter Becky Want said “What an honour to be taking the precious Queen Vic bust on her first ever road trip across the country! She’s seen some sights in Walford over the last 40 years and we can’t wait to find out what stories she will witness this week from England’s real-life Queen Vic’s.”

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Bobby Friction will leave his current weekday show to front a weekend show on BBC Asian Network, and Amber Sandhu will leave the station when it moves to Birmingham.

All the remaining shows will move to the Midlands by April 28th, including Breakfast with Nikita Kanda.
The New Music Show with DJ Limelight and Kan D Man (Wednesday’s 20:00-22:00) will broadcast from Birmingham from Wednesday 9 April, with DJ Limelight continuing as host, followed by Pritt (Sunday, 19:00-21:00) and Nadia Ali (Sunday, 15:00-17:00) broadcasting from Birmingham from Sunday 13 April.
Asian Network Breakfast with Nikita Kanda will be the final show to move to the city, broadcasting live from Birmingham from Monday 28 April.
In addition to moving its remaining shows to Birmingham, Asian Network has announced a new schedule starting from Monday 7 April.
As part of the changes, Bobby Friction will leave his current weekday show to front a brand-new specialist music show every Sunday from 21:00-23:00, starting on Sunday 13 April, replacing Vallisa’s current Sunday show which will end in March.
In place of Bobby’s current show, three new weekday programmes will launch from 18:00-20:00, every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, presented by Asian Network’s Vallisa, Nadia Ali and Kan D Man respectively.
Other changes taking place from Monday 7 April include The Everyday Hustle (Monday, 06:00-06:30) beginning a new rotation of presenters, to be announced soon, with Harpreet Kaur hosting her final show on Monday 31 March.
Amber Sandhu will leave Asian Network with co-host of One More Chai, Gura Randhawa, taking over Saturday afternoon’s 15:00-1800, hosting her first live show on the network. Asian Network Chill will also come to an end in March.
Ahmed Hussain, Head of Asian Network, says: “I’m really delighted to be uniting the whole of Asian Network in Birmingham and to be delivering on our promise to increase investment and support talent across the UK.
“Birmingham is such a diverse and creative city and an important location for our listeners. We are proud to be bringing more representation to The Midlands, championing British Asian music and culture and continuing to work and support local companies. Most of all I’m excited to bring the Asian Network family together!
“Finally, I’d like to say a massive thank you to Amber for the energy and fun she has brought to the airwaves over the past two years, I wish her all the best with her new ventures.”

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Former staff at Plymouth Sound are organising special reunion to celebrate 50 years since the launch of the station.
Plymouth Sound launched in May 1975 and an event will be hosted in the station’s old studios, at Earls Acre in Plymouth, Devon.
The event is on Saturday 17th May, just two days before the 50th anniversary of Plymouth Sound’s launch.
Organiser Gavin Marshall, who is a previous Presenter and Regional Director for the station told RadioToday: “It’s so incredible that we have been able to secure full access to the old studio complex for this celebration.
“It’s the only time this will be able to happen, as the building is currently being sold.
“We have lots of exciting plans to make it an amazing day, and I’d love for RadioToday to help us spread the word, so that old colleagues can join us.”
If you have worked at Plymouth Sound, and are interested in attending, you can email plymouthsound50@gmail.com for more information.

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Country music singer Darius Rucker is joining Absolute Radio Country to host his own series.
Starting Sunday 23rd February at 7pm, the former Hootie & the Blowfish singer will be presenting four two-hour shows sharing the country music tracks that mean the most to him whilst also sharing his own stories of life as a musician.
Currently in the UK writing and recording for an upcoming project, Darius is also hosting the CMA Songwriters Series at the O2 in March before a UK arena tour this October with support from Jake Owen and The Shires.
Darius said: ‘I wanted to make the most of every minute that I’m spending here in the UK so when Absolute Radio County came calling and asked me to do these new shows I couldn’t say no. Join me from 23rd February when I’ll be sharing stories and songs I love from the music genre that I love – can’t think of a better way to be spending my Sunday evenings…’
Ricky Marshall, Head of Content for Absolute Radio Country said: “We’re so happy that Darius has joined the Absolute Radio Country family for this special series of shows whilst he’s here in the UK.
“He’s a true country trailblazer and our audience have loved his music for years. To get the chance to hear the stories from his incredible career and have him handpick his favourite songs is something really special.”

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