Year: 2025

Radio Tyneside is seeking new premises as its current home, owned by the Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Trust is being sold.
The station has been told there is nowhere else to relocate to within the hospital buildings, and to find alternative premises.
Discussions with various organisations are already underway, and there is great optimism that a suitable new location will be found, says the station.
Radio Tyneside’s Chairman, Dave Nicholson OBE emphasised the importance of securing new premises: “We remain committed to providing our unique service to patients and the local community, as well as reaching listeners online.
“But to continue, we urgently need a new location for our studios. We are appealing to individuals, businesses, and organisations who may be able to help us find a new home. If you can assist in any way, please get in touch.”
Today, the station serves hospital patients at the Freeman Hospital and Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, as well as the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead. It also reaches the wider community via 93.6 FM, DAB, and online streaming.
For more information the station can be contacted via info@radiotyneside.co.uk.

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The spring schedule for BBC Radio 2 will include a new weekly show for Zoe Ball and a time slot change for Pick of the Pops.

Zoe Ball will launch a Saturday show (1-3pm) from May, playing some of her favourite music and as previously announced, she will also host Elaine Paige: 60 Years in Showbusiness, a world exclusive concert honouring the career of the Radio 2 presenter.
Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, says: “Zoe is one of the UK’s most loved presenters, so I’m thrilled to announce that she has a new home on Radio 2 on Saturday lunchtimes, plus she’ll be hosting various specials for us throughout the year.”
On Friday 25th April, a range of musical theatre stars will perform some of Elaine’s favourite songs at the London Palladium, which will be broadcast on Radio 2 on Sunday 4th May (8-10pm).
A special this April for Radio 2 and BBC TV, will see Elaine in conversation with Zoe in which Elaine tells the story of her life and career.
Also in May, Pick of the Pops, hosted by Mark Goodier and currently broadcast Saturday lunchtimes, will move to Sundays, 5-7pm.
Mark says: “I presented my first BBC Radio 1 Top 40 in 1988, so I hope bringing Pick of the Pops to the traditional Sunday afternoon chart show home is an irresistible invitation to pop fans of all generations to join me for a nostalgic look back to some of the greatest songs from across the decades.”
Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, says: “Placing Pick of the Pops in the live early evening Sunday slot is a throwback to years gone by, when we’d gather around the radio to listen to the chart countdown, and we didn’t have access to programming in our pocket.
“These days, Pick of the Pops fans can listen to the programme on demand, at any time and anywhere that suits them, on BBC Sounds.”
Rob Beckett has decided to step down from his Sunday afternoon show in April, just before Easter, but will continue to appear on Radio 2 as a cover presenter.
Richie Anderson will launch a new Sunday night into Monday morning show, midnight-3am in April, broadcasting live from BBC MediaCity in Salford.
Phil Williams will continue as a cover presenter on Radio 2, including deputising for OJ Borg.
Other highlights on the station this spring include the Country music festival, C2C – Country to Country, Radio 2 Loves Brass, Top Brass presented by James Morrison, Remembering Johnnie Walker, Jeremy Vine presenting a documentary, The Heat is On in Saigon, marking the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, Michelle Visage – The Musicals That Changed My Life, Big Night of Musicals returns for a fourth year and Radio 2 is commemorating the 80th anniversary of VE Day – 8th May, 1945 – with a concert, BBC Radio 2 presents: VE Day 80 – A Swinging Celebration, at the Alexandra Palace Theatre in London presented by Vernon Kay. Full details can be found here.

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The 103.5 FM transmitter range for Ilkeston, Derbyshire-based Erewash Sound has been improved after the station secured grant funding.

An application was made in the last quarter of 2024 with the help of Erewash Voluntary Action, for a ‘mental health’ small grant.
The grant is to help local voluntary and community groups and organisations to improve or extend their work supporting Derby and Derbyshire residents aged 18 plus to maintain good mental health.
As a non-profit making organisation, Erewash Sound CIC is run almost entirely by volunteers with the aim to maximise social gain, relaying key items, many of them focusing on health and well-being.
The station says that since March 2010, it has consistently demonstrated the ability to build a bond of friendship between listeners and presenters, which, in turn, has helped reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness for many, particularly during the pandemic.
It also says that the NCFE accredited Erewash Sound Academy has delivered radio training for over 10 years with over 100 volunteers getting involved and developing skills to boost confidence, particularly with communication skills.
In addition to the funding, the station has been given permission by Ofcom to remove a restriction which had previously restricted the reach of its 103.5 FM transmitter.
Ian Perry, Press and Publicity spokesperson for Erewash Sound said: “As the local content of commercial and BBC radio continues to decrease, and after many local newspapers closed or merged with bigger titles covering wider areas, the radio station’s place as a key news and information provider has been further cemented.
“Securing the £5,500 funding for new and more modern transmission equipment has removed multiple risks that may have otherwise prevented the radio station from continuing to broadcast, and has, instead, enabled a greater focus on the provision of supporting mental health for listeners through service continuity.
“We’re additionally delighted to have been able to coincide the transmitter installation work with applying technical changes which improve our broadcast footprint and maximise our potential reach.”

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A new spring schedule is being launched across Capital and Capital Dance from next Monday, 24th February.

On Capital, Nada Allali will host Sunday lates from 10pm – 1am and Midlands DJ Tom Watts takes over the overnight slots Thursday – Friday (1am – 4am) and Saturday – Sunday (1am – 5am).
Sam Lavery is the new host of The Capital Weekender on Friday and Saturday nights, 10pm – 1am.
Over on Capital Dance, Sarah Devine takes over weekday afternoons from 12pm – 4pm. Max Tyler is the new host of Club Capital Dance every Friday and Saturday night from 7pm – 10pm, Hannah Rose joins from 10pm – 1am on Club Capital Dance and Sunday 12pm – 4pm.
Brent Tobin, Managing Editor of the Capital Brand said: “We’re so excited to be bringing some fresh new shows to Capital and Capital Dance.
“A huge congratulations to Tom, Sam, Nada, Sarah, Max and Hannah on their new shows. We’d also like to thank Meg McHugh, Chris Ros and Matty Chiabi for all the energy they’ve brought to Capital and Capital Dance!”

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