UK

Radio TechCon will return to IET London: Savoy Place this year with a programme that places radio technology, engineering and international collaboration at its centre.
The event takes place on Tuesday 25th November and will bring together specialists from the UK and overseas to share practical insight across studio build projects, transmission innovation and new applications of AI.
Sessions will look at the contrasting approaches taken by LBC and Castledown FM when creating new studios, including how community broadcasters can move operations into the cloud at short notice. Delegates will also hear how engineers at Glastonbury are isolating audio tracks live to improve clarity for broadcast audiences, and how best practice from aviation can help production teams work more effectively in pressured environments.
A strong global theme runs through the day. Contributors from Ghana will outline how solar power is being used to support radio transmission, while a team from Portugal will explain how broadcasters responded to a nationwide power outage and what UK stations can do to plan for similar scenarios. Sweden will demonstrate its award-winning interactive news app, developed using AI to answer unexpected audience questions.
AI will feature throughout the programme, including a short masterclass explaining the fundamentals and a session from the BBC on testing a new listening model designed to detect audio errors. There will also be an update on one of the UK’s largest current transmission replatforming projects and a look at how BFBS has applied broadcast skills to the fast-growing esports sector.
The event will again include a mini trade-fair with representatives from Broadcast Bionics, Arqiva, Lawo, IPE, RCS, the IET, CGI, Preco, Telos Alliance, Ferncast and Radioplayer. Delegates will be able to explore equipment at breakfast, enjoy afternoon cake and take part in networking after the main programme.
Ann Charles said, “We’re so excited to have a broad and diverse programme this year, covering everything from new studio builds to the future of AI for audio.”
The day will conclude with Stephanie Hirst’s quiz for those keen to test what they learned.

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Five local radio stations joined forces to broadcast live from the new Sandals St Vincent and the Grenadines resort in a major collaboration led by Rob Wills.

The project, run under the ‘Local Radio Promotions’ banner for Sandals Resorts UK, brought together kmfm, Nation Radio South, Radio Exe, Isle of Wight Radio and More Radio to deliver a unified week of drive-time programming.
Each station produced its own live shows from the Caribbean resort, featuring local experiences, interviews, and a competition offering listeners the chance to win a seven-night all-inclusive holiday.
Rob Wills said the campaign was one of the most rewarding projects he has worked on, adding: “This really proved what local radio can do when it works together – great content, memorable radio, and meaningful results for both audiences and our client.”
The team created a central content bank of interviews, imagery, and artwork, allowing each station to draw on shared assets while maintaining their own identity.
Support for the Sandals Foundation was also included in the broadcasts, highlighting its work to rebuild communities following the impact of Hurricane Mellisa.
Cleanfeed’s Marc Bakos provided technical support to ensure broadcast quality, with additional help from kmfm’s Lee Turner, Becca Webb, and Kamaldip Panesar. Rob thanked Sandals’ Natalie, Alice and Esme for their trust in the project, and praised the station teams and programme directors involved.

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BBC Radio 2 presenter Sara Cox has completed her 135-mile Great Northern Marathon Challenge, raising £7,651,855 for BBC Children in Need.
Sara reached the finish line in Pudsey, West Yorkshire at 3.30pm, where Scott Mills revealed the final total live on Radio 2.
Melanie C was there to surprise Sara and performed “Northern Star” and a medley of Spice Girls hits in front of a live audience, broadcast from Pudsey.
Speaking after finishing, Sara said: “I can’t believe it, oh my gosh, that was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I’ve never known pain like it but I’ve never had so many amazing people cheering me on. The truck drivers honking, the farmers waving, and the kids with homemade signs — it’s been the maddest, most painful, wonderful thing I’ve ever done.”
The five-day challenge saw Sara run from Kielder Forest on the Scottish border to Pudsey, taking on five themed stages through bitter rain, steep hills, and freezing wind.
The Radio 2 Team at Sara Cox’s Great Northern Marathon Challenge for Children In Need, getting Pudsey to Pudsey on Friday 14th November 2025
Day one: Sara began her journey at Kielder Forest accompanied by a piper from Morpeth Pipe Band as locals cheered her off. Trevor Nelson revealed live on air that £189,741 had been raised on the first day.
Day two: Heavy rain greeted Sara in Hexham as she faced the highest point of her challenge. By the end of the day, DJ Spoony told her the total had surged to £650,128.
Day three: The longest leg took Sara from Wolsingham to Richmond, where exhaustion and lack of sleep tested her resolve. Jo Whiley later revealed that donations had risen to £1.93 million.
Day four: The local mayor and residents saw Sara off from Richmond as Vernon Kay announced a total of £2.68 million. By evening, Trevor Nelson confirmed that the total had passed £3 million.
Day five: Sara left Ripley for her final stretch to Pudsey. A Red Arrow flew overhead, and Scott Mills played a message from Prince William, who told her: “The nation is so proud of you.”
Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, said Sara’s run had “brought the nation together to raise vital funds for Children in Need” and praised listeners for their overwhelming generosity.
Sara’s challenge attracted messages from Mo Farah, Paula Radcliffe, Ant and Dec, Louis Theroux and Dame Judi Dench, and support from thousands of listeners who lined the streets along the way.
Sara Cox completes her Great Northern Marathon Challenge for Children In Need, getting Pudsey to Pudsey on Friday 14th November 2025

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Ofcom has confirmed how commercial radio stations can renew their analogue licences when no suitable DAB multiplex is available.

The clarification follows the Media Act passed last year, which introduced an additional route for renewal when a station cannot reasonably join a matching digital multiplex.
Until now, analogue renewal has only been permitted when a station also broadcasts on a relevant DAB multiplex. The new rules set out how Ofcom will judge whether a multiplex is suitable and when stations may use the new option.
Ofcom says most renewals will continue through the existing method, with stations remaining on DAB.
The new route will apply only in limited situations where a relevant multiplex does not exist or when its coverage does not align closely enough with the station’s FM or AM area.
The regulator explains that there are two qualifying circumstances. A station may qualify if there is no relevant multiplex at all, including cases where the appropriate multiplex has no capacity and no alternative is available. Renewal may also be possible where a multiplex exists but its coverage area is substantially larger or smaller than the analogue service area.
According to Ofcom, the key test is whether the mismatch in coverage is significant. The difference must be substantial before a station can rely on the new approach. The organisation’s recent consultation, held between December last year and February this year, sought views on how to judge suitability and has shaped the guidance now being published.
A spokesperson said the aim is to keep most stations on digital platforms while recognising a small number may need a different route. “We expect the vast majority of licence renewals will continue to be on the basis of DAB provision,” they said, adding that only a limited number of cases should fall under the new rules.

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Most of the traffic bulletins on Greatest Hits Radio and Hits Radio are now voiced by computers rather than people.

Bauer and INRIX have been working together on the move from human voiced updates to letting AI do the work, and recently introduced bulletins across the two national radio networks.
Staff shifts have been reduced as a result of the move at INRIX, as fewer people are now required to deliver the service.
Bauer says AI will allow them to deliver accurate, timely travel information to audiences faster than ever before, and opens up exciting possibilities for more responsive, hyper-targeted updates delivered via IP in the future.
INRIX says the development is a natural evolution of its long-standing services. A spokesperson told RadioToday: “During 2025, INRIX has been working closely with Bauer on the next step in traffic and travel broadcast services, bringing together our trusted data, our established traffic systems and new technology to deliver the same detail and scale that audiences rely on.
“This development is a natural evolution of our long-standing services. Bulletins are generated through INRIX’s traffic intelligence and automation systems, with delivery informed by the tone and style of our experienced broadcast journalists to ensure continuity and familiarity for listeners.
“The result provides clear, consistent and recognisable traffic updates, delivered faster than ever before and opening the door to even more precise and personalised information in the future.
“At INRIX, we’re excited to support Bauer in this latest chapter for radio travel news.”
Here are some examples of the bulletins. […]

Toyah Willcox is joining Greatest Hits Radio to fill in for Martin Kemp while he takes part in ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!

Toyah, who presents on sister station Greatest Hits Radio 80s, will host Martin’s Mix Tape shows every Friday and Saturday night from 21 November until Christmas.
Toyah said: “I am so excited to join Greatest Hits Radio, filling in for Martin Kemp whilst he is eating bugs in the jungle. I love Greatest Hits Radio and we’re going to have so much fun over the coming weeks. It will be party central on the Mix Tape every Friday and Saturday night.”
Before flying to Australia, Martin spoke with fellow presenter Kate Thornton about why he finally said yes to entering the jungle this year. “It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do, it’s always been on my bucket list,” he said. “Every year we sit down as a family and watch it, and it was amazing when Roman went in. This time it’s my turn.”
He added that his family were quick to support the decision. “The first person I called was Roman. He told me I had to do it, and Shirlie said I was definitely going so she could go to that fancy hotel she sees on TV every year!”
Martin’s full interview with Kate Thornton airs this Friday afternoon between 1pm and 4pm on Greatest Hits Radio.

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