UK

Wide Digital has announced its plan to apply for the Weymouth and Dorchester small scale DAB licence in west/south Dorset.
The Poole-based company has submitted its application with the support of KeeP 106, AIR 107.2, Forest FM, Hope FM, Hot Radio and Bournemouth One.
If approved, the multiplex would provide stronger digital coverage for existing local stations and create space for new services to launch in the area.
Wayne Simpson, Director of Wide Digital, said the collaboration aims to give more listeners access to local radio on digital platforms. He said the platform will allow stations to be enjoyed in digital stereo and increase choice for listeners by bringing new services to the area for the first time.
AIR 107.2 Director Carl Greenham said the station’s recent return under new leadership has highlighted the level of community support behind it.
Carl said supporting the DAB application is vital for the station’s long term future and that digital coverage alongside FM will open up areas that have never had local radio choice.
KeeP 106 Director Steve Bulley confirmed the Dorchester station’s support for the proposal. Steve said they have confidence in the engineering to provide robust coverage and acknowledged the commercial challenges, but added that joining the multiplex is an opportunity to deliver content to more listeners.
The area is being re-advertised in Ofcom’s Round 8, which has a closing date for applications of 5pm on 10 December 2025.
Wide Digital runs the Poole small-scale DAB in the east of the county, and has a stake in the soon-to-launch Bournemouth multiplex.

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Virgin Radio UK has confirmed a packed Christmas and New Year schedule featuring Alan Carr and more taking over shows throughout the holiday period.

Alan starts the seasonal line-up on 20 December with a three-hour programme broadcast from the Top of The Tower.
Tony Mortimer will host on Christmas Day from 3pm with music, memories and stories from East 17’s time at the top of the charts.
Virgin Radio’s evening shows on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day will be taken over by John Power, Richard Ashcroft and Pete Doherty, who will look back on this year’s festival season, new releases and the Oasis reunion tour that shaped much of the summer.
New Year’s Eve will then feature DJ sets from Ana Matronic, Peter Hook and Sister Bliss, taking listeners into the early hours of New Year’s Day with music from across their careers and influences.
Tom Kerridge will cover Sunday mornings from 14 December to 4 January, offering seasonal kitchen advice alongside a playlist tied to his personal favourites. “Whether you’re hosting over Christmas or planning a New Year’s Eve party, I’ll have tips to help keep things running smoothly,” Tom said.
Further additions include two editions of Game On Christmas football with Charlie Baker on 27 and 30 December.

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The speakers have been announced for Radiodays Europe 2026 taking place in Riga, Latvia from 22-24 March.

They include UK and Ireland representatives from the BBC, Bauer Media, Fun Kids and the Telegraph.
Also today, Radiodays Europe has launched the Youth Fund 2026, a programme designed to support early-career audio talent from across Europe.  The Youth Fund is open to young professionals (aged 18-25) in junior roles across radio, audio, and podcasting.
The event is the biggest gathering of radio professionals in Europe, and has Aiir, Radioplayer, RCS and Xperi as Gold sponsors. You can book your tickets before 8th December using the RadioToday code “RTY26RIG” to receive a discount.
Here is the big list of speakers so far:

Peter Niegel, CEO, Radiodays Europe
Mohit Bakaya, Controller,  BBC Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra
Andy Ashton, Director of Content, Greatest Hits Radio Network, Bauer Media Audio UK
Nik Goodman, Consultant, Bounce
James Cridland, Editor, Podnews
Mike Russell, Founder, Creator Magic
Gregory Watson, Managing Director, Children’s Radio UK Ltd
Niall Power, Managing Editor/Breakfast Presenter, Beat
Jess Kelly, Presenter, Newstalk
Tobias Nielsen, Senior Vice President, Digital Bauer Media Audio
Amy Nordrum, Executive editor, MIT Technology Review
Kristian Porter, CEO, Public Media Alliance
Craig Bruce, audio talent coach, game changers radio
Roberto Suárez Candel, Managing Director, South 180
Martin Liss, CEO, podcast360
Julius van de Laar, Chief Strategist, Van De Laar Campaigning
Dominik Evers, Head of Editorial, Audio Deutschlandfunk Nova
Jan-Henrik Schmelter, CEO, Radio BOB!
Lærke Lytken, Editor, DR
Ron Baetiong, Founder and CEO, Podcast Network Asia
Rachel Quester, Supervising Producer, The Daily, The New York Times
Wade Kingsley, Founder, The Creative Coach
Baiba Zuzena, Chairwoman of the Board, Latvijas Sabiedriskais medijs (Latvian Public Service Broadcaster)
Despina Kritikou, Program Manager, Antenna Audio
Rita Paula, Morning show host, Radio Skonto
Bertrand Rutily, Head of broadcast and production, France Inter
Clive Dickens, Managing Partner, The Meliora Company
Guang Jin Yeo, CEO, 1UpMedia
Juliana Cabra Jaramillo, Audio Producer – Global Spanish, Yoto
Helle Vaagland, Editor, NRK
Marieke Woortman, Publisher children’s books, Kosmos
David Fernández Quijada, Research Director, South 180
Henriette Engbersen, Public Value, Teamlead Public Broadcaster of Switzerland (SRG)
Nawal Hadrami, CEO, Calliopé
Vibe Klarup, General Secretary, Amnesty International Denmark
Arthur Soria, Co-founder & CEO, Lacmé
Lady Unchained, Creative Director, Becoming Unchained CIC
Dries Lenaerts, Radio Host, Studio Brussel
Kevin Barton, Executive Producer, Departure Conference + Festival
Arthur Soria, CEO, Lacmé
Nick Kartelias, CEO, Kartelias Media Group
Sam De Bruyn, Executive Producer, Studio Brussel (VRT)
Jarrod Gräetz, Äudienceologist, The Äudience Company
Roger Hofmann, Head of Digital, FFH Mediengruppe
Benjamin Hartwich, Head of Digital, Data & Podcast, Life Radio GmbH & Co KG
Matthias Schenk, Director Product Development, RMS
Hannah Southern, Commercial Lead, Podcast Discovery
Matej Praprotnik, Assistant Director Radio Slovenija, RTVSLO
Eva De Roo, Radio Host Morning Show, VRT Studio Brussel
Norma Jean Belenky, Owner, NJB Media
Thierry Mars, Radio Director, egta
Arielle Nissenblatt, Head of community and content, Pinwheel by Audily
Edita Kudlacova, Head of Radio, EBU
Guilhem Delteil, Senior reporter, Radio France International
Manu De Coninck, Head of creative sales, Mediahuis Radio
Mikael Salmelainen, Presenter, podcasthost Yle
Nuppu Stenros, Producer, Yleisradio
Matthieu Beauval, Director of Acceleration and Innovation, Radio France
Remi Horgar, Head of podcast and youth, NRK
Alexis Karakatsanis, Country Manager,  Radioplayer Greece
Liedewij Hentenaar, Managing Director, Audify
Sarah Toporoff, Head of Growth, Europe, Disco by Headliner
Leanne Alie, Freelance Exec Producer, Unlocked Podcasts
Lauris  Zalans, Morning show host, RADIO TEV
Cilla Benkö, Director General, Swedish Radio
Frans Kok, Head of Communications, Nationaal Media Onderzoek (NMO)

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BBC Local Radio is marking Christmas with a series of programmes that highlight people who have made a difference in their communities.

Across all thirty nine stations in England, listeners will hear award winners talk with Jon Bon Jovi, Olly Murs and Si King about their work and why it matters.
Jon Bon Jovi spent time with winners including Mark Fielden from Shrewsbury, who was recognised for organising an annual music event in memory of his mum. He told Jon that the festival began as a single fundraising night but has grown into a decade of support for a local breast cancer charity. Jon responded by offering signed records and tickets to help with Mark’s next event.
Olly Murs spoke with several more award recipients, including Sabrina Ffrench, who won the Great Neighbour Award at BBC Radio WM. Sabrina volunteers for multiple charities alongside her work as a staff nurse and thanked her family, friends and colleagues for supporting her. Olly said it was a privilege to hear the stories and spoke about the importance of making a positive difference where possible.
Si King is presenting his own programme, Make a Difference – Feel Good Christmas, where he shares stories of kindness and community during the festive period. He said he wanted to raise a toast to the people who continue to help others all year round.
Chris Burns, Head of Local Audio Commissioning at the BBC, said the celebrations were an opportunity to recognise achievements across the country and share them with audiences at Christmas.
Listeners can follow the full schedule from Monday 1 December at 6am on their local BBC station, including Christmas Eve and Boxing Day specials and a New Year’s Eve review of the year.

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BBC Asian Network’s One More Laugh is returning to London this January with a night showcasing new comedy talent.

The live show takes place at the BBC Radio Theatre on Friday 30 January this year at 7:30pm.
The event will be hosted by comedian and content creator Dinesh Nathan, who previously appeared at the network’s comedy night last year. Dinesh said he is pleased to be returning, adding that he is “buzzing to host One More Laugh” and that he is delighted to be trusted with the role again.
The evening will feature Ajay Rose, Dane Buckley, NJ Patel and Samira Banks performing in alphabetical order. All four have received recognition on the UK comedy circuit, including finals and runner-up places in recent national competitions. DJ Kizzi from BBC Asian Network will also provide a live set during the event.
Ahmed Hussain, Head of Asian Network, said the show aims to highlight the range of British Asian comedy and continue welcoming a broad audience. He said the rebrand from Asian Network Comedy to One More Laugh gives the station a chance to present the humour and experiences that matter to listeners.
The 18 plus audience can apply for free tickets through the BBC Shows and Tours website until Monday 15 December at 8:30am. The programme will be available on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds after the live event, allowing more listeners to watch or hear the performances.
One More Laugh builds on the network’s long running support for new comedians and offers them a platform to reach audiences across the UK.

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Starpoint Radio is preparing to celebrate forty years on the airwaves with an anniversary party in South London.

The event takes place on Saturday 13 December this year at Soul Fez Nightclub in Putney, bringing together DJs, guests and supporters connected to the station’s long history.
The station began broadcasting in 1985 and grew from London’s black soul music movement, giving airtime to artists and genres that were not being widely heard on other outlets. Its early programmes reflected the rapid rise of jazz funk and soul during the eighties and helped shape the culture surrounding those scenes.
Starpoint was created by Carl Barrington-Webster, who wanted to offer a radio service centred on the music he loved. Carl later expanded the brand through themed events and trips, building a loyal community around the station’s output.
In the mid-eighties the station was heard across areas including Beckenham, Wimbledon, Croydon and Brixton, where it gained a reputation for championing black soul music. Supporters of the time recall how Starpoint’s programmes provided something different from the mainstream, both in sound and perspective.
The station now broadcasts online with a daily schedule covering soul, jazz, R and B, old skool, club classics, rare soul, groove and funk, presented by a team of experienced DJs. Its current plans include exploring opportunities to reach listeners across South London on DAB plus.
Anniversary organisers say they would like to hear from anyone involved with the station’s journey since 1985. A spokesperson added that the evening in Putney will feature “a top line-up of DJs, special guests and more” as part of the celebrations.

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