UK

Radio 1 Dance has confirmed a new line-up of DJs for The Residency, beginning on 4th December and running through to March next year.

The weekly show will continue every Thursday from 11pm to 1am on BBC Radio 1 and Radio 1 Dance, with each month handed to a different DJ – Rossi., Lens, Jazzy and MALUGI. A special one-off edition of The Residency will also air on 29th January.
Rossi. leads the December slot with a sound shaped by headline sets across major venues and festivals. His work covers underground and chart breakthroughs. He says being invited to curate a month of The Residency is an opportunity he has long hoped for.
In January, Lens takes over with her approach to drum and bass and club-focused production. Her recent releases and remixes have attracted radio support, and she says joining The Residency is a dream that allows her to showcase the sounds influencing the scene today.
Jazzy, who features throughout February, is known for her work as a DJ and vocalist and has achieved major success both in Ireland and the UK. She says she wants listeners to hear the club-driven selections that shaped her before her chart-topping collaborations.
In March it’s MALUGI, whose high-energy style has built a loyal following across major club and festival stages. Recently named a Radio 1 Dance Future Star, he says his first radio residency is a chance to share new facets of his musical journey and spotlight rising talent.

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BBC Radio and Music’s Open Music training scheme will return for a third edition in 2026.

This next programme begins with six Insight Days staged across the UK from December 2025 to February 2026, marking the first time the scheme has gone on the road.
Events in Cardiff, Birmingham, Glasgow, Salford, London and Belfast are designed to reach more people who are passionate about classical and orchestral music and curious about how the BBC brings it to audiences.
Each session will introduce attendees to industry professionals and, in some locations, offer hands-on experience in technical and radio production. This will include planning and producing a mock radio programme, giving potential trainees a realistic insight into BBC workflows and expectations.
The Insight Days form part of the wider 2026 BBC Open Music scheme, which runs from Spring to Autumn and supports early-career creatives who want to build skills in broadcasting, production and music.
Applications open in December, with selected participants later gaining the chance to support broadcasts on BBC Radio 3 in Autumn 2026, offering real-world experience at the heart of the network’s classical output.
Previous editions have led former trainees to roles across the BBC and wider industry, including radio production, presenting, communications and sound engineering, supported by mentoring from presenters such as Mary Anne Hobbs, Linton Stephens and Katie Derham, and from staff teams across Radio 3, BBC Introducing, Radio 1Xtra and the BBC Concert Orchestra.
More info on BBC Open Music  and the Insight Days here: bbc.co.uk/openmusic

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Lyca Radio has expanded its reach across the Midlands, with transmission now live in Coventry, Derbyshire, Wolverhampton and Shropshire, on DAB.

This builds on the station’s presence in Birmingham and Leicestershire, extending its audience across the region. Listeners in the newly added areas can listen to the Midlands feed.
Raj Baddhan, CEO of Lyca Radio Network, said: “We are delighted to strengthen our presence in the Midlands, enabling more listeners to enjoy Lyca Radio’s award‑winning output.
“We are deeply grateful to our audiences who have embraced the brand in such a short time, and to our commercial partners whose support has made this expansion possible.”

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Two Liverpool stations have recorded a festive single to support Alder Hey Children’s Charity.

In Demand Radio and In Demand Decades have created Crackers for Christmas, bringing their full on-air teams together to produce a seasonal track that will raise money throughout the festive period.
The single will be released this year on 5 December, with pre-orders now open.
A music video, filmed at Sound House Recording Studios in Litherland, will premiere on 28 November and the fundraising effort will continue until Boxing Day. Supporters can donate directly to the campaign by visiting crackersforchristmas.com or by sending the text message detailed by the stations.
A spokesperson for In Demand Radio said “Alder Hey is such an important part of our community, and we wanted to do something that not only raises money but spreads a bit of joy, too.” They added that the whole team enjoyed taking part and are looking forward to the reaction from listeners when the single is released.
Crackers for Christmas brings both stations together on a project that highlights community spirit and the role radio plays in supporting local causes. The campaign uses the combined reach of both services to promote the charity and encourage listeners to get involved over the festive season.
The stations say that direct donations are the best way to support the appeal, while the single acts as a way to raise awareness and celebrate the work of Alder Hey during a busy and emotional time of year.

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A new pop-up station inspired by Stranger Things has launched on DAB in London, Global Player and smart speakers.

WSQK The Squawk is live from today and will run until 1 January, delivering a full 1980s radio experience linked directly to the final season of the Netflix series.
The station plays continuous 80s hits and features a cast of American presenters including Vance Goodman and Mindy Flare. Listeners will also hear a full set of retro-style commercials written in the spirit of Hawkins.
Sung jingles and voiceovers are filling the output too.
Fans can take part in Rewind at 9, a segment where a reversed track challenges listeners to identify the song, while Talk to Tammy provides advice with a Hawkins twist. There is also Dial-A-Dedication, giving listeners the chance to get their message on air by submitting it through the Global Player website.
James Rea, Global’s Chief Broadcasting and Content Officer, said part of the project’s appeal is that “fans love the show’s nostalgia and energy, and this station bottles that completely”. James added that creating WSQK with Netflix “has been a joy”.

To capture an authentic sound, the audio is being processed through a vintage Inovonics FM250 unit dating back to 1983, the same type used widely by radio stations during the decade. This approach gives WSQK a period-accurate tone that matches the Stranger Things setting.
WSQK The Squawk is available on DAB across London, on Global Player and on smart speakers by asking for The Squawk. It links with the release of Stranger Things Volume 1 on 27 November at 1am GMT, Volume 2 on 26 December at 1am GMT and the finale on 1 January at 1am GMT.

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A BBC Radio Cumbria presenter has written a children’s book to support a local hospice.
John Lipscombe has released Jack and the Big Fridge, a story centred on a young boy whose life changes when he discovers a talking fridge with magnetic letters that offer advice and encouragement.
The book follows Jack as he tries to make sense of his parents’ separation while dealing with everyday challenges. The fridge becomes an unusual but steady guide, helping him find confidence and understand the changes happening around him.
The story is aimed at young readers who may be navigating similar moments of uncertainty, offering reassurance through simple language and warm humour.
John, known for his work as a voice over artist and for presenting and producing programmes on BBC Radio Cumbria, said the project has been a long-held ambition. He said “my children’s book Jack and the Big Fridge is now available in paperback, audio and digital”.
John added that he is grateful for the support he has received while developing the book.
Fifty pence from each sale will be donated to Jigsaw – Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice, with John keen to use the project to help raise money for the charity. He is already working on his next title, The Trouble With Rosie, which continues his move into children’s storytelling.
Jack and the Big Fridge is available through major online platforms including Amazon.

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