UK

The Audio & Radio Industry Awards 2025 has appointed former BBC boss Bob Shennan as Chair of Judges and announced a new location – Leicester Square.

This year’s event will take place at ODEON Luxe, a couple of doors away from the UK’s biggest commercial radio group Global, who have distanced themselves from the event for the last 10 years after leaving the Radio Academy.
The awards evening is scheduled for May 14th – which is also the date RAJAR releases its listening figures for Q1, 2025.
Entries will open tomorrow, Wednesday 8th January 2025, with 21 categories open to enter – four specifically for radio stations.
Bob Shennan, says: “It is an honour to follow in the footsteps of Phil Riley as The Radio Academy ARIAS Chair of Judges. Phil has done an outstanding job for our sector and leaves a tremendous legacy. Radio and audio in the UK are flourishing. I truly believe our country boasts the finest content and best creative talent in the world. Each year it will be our ambition that The ARIAS proves that.”
Phil Riley says: “I’m delighted to be handing the reins over to Bob Shennan. He is undoubtedly one of the leading figures in our industry and will do a great job in ensuring the ARIAS remain the leading audio and radio awards in the UK for the next decade. There are really exciting plans for the future of the ARIAS and I shall look on with great pride as the awards continue to grow in the years to come.”
The Radio Academy will be partnering with Podcasting, Seriously Awards Fund again to help make the entry process as accessible as possible. The fund reimburses the cost of entering audio awards for independent audio producers of colour and those who identify as LGBTQ+.
Early Bird entries close on 22nd January and all entries will close by 12th February.
Aradhna Tayal Leach, Managing Director of The Radio Academy says: “Following a truly inspiring year with some of the biggest global audio sensations emerging from the UK, I’m very excited to be launching The Radio Academy ARIAS 2025.
“We’re proud to highlight the huge breadth of talent and the sheer impact that the UK audio and radio industry has on millions of listeners locally and across the globe. I look forward to welcoming all our peers as we come together in our exciting new venue for a night of celebration!”
ARIAS 2025 Updated Award Categories:

Best New Presenter Award
Best Music Breakfast Radio Show Award
Best Speech Breakfast Radio Show Award
Best Music Entertainment Award (Show or Presenter)
Best Speech Entertainment Award (Show or Presenter)
Best Music Award (Show or Presenter)
Best Comedy Award (Show or Presenter)
Best Factual Single Episode Award
Best Factual Series Award
Best Drama or Fiction Award
Best News or Current Affairs Award
Best Sports Award (Show or Presenter)
Best Event Coverage Award
Best Sonic Branding Award
Best Commercial Partnership Award
The Social Impact Award
The Creative or Technical Innovation Award
Local Radio Station of The Year
UK Radio Station or Radio Network of The Year
UK Audio Brand of the Year
Radio Times Moment of the Year

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Classic FM has signed up choirmaster Gareth Malone for an eight-week series to help introduce new listeners to classical music. Together with Gareth Malone starts on Friday (10th January) and will be broadcast every Friday from 9pm to 10pm. The series has been created for listeners who want to explore and enjoy the world of classical music more.

Every week, Gareth will celebrate the music, musicians, ideas and initiatives that have provided a ‘way in’ to classical music, recommending the best pieces of music along the way. Gareth Malone said: “I’m delighted to be joining Classic FM for this exciting series. I’ll be welcoming you into the world of classical music and dispelling a few myths whilst I’m at it.
“The new year is a great time to kick start a new hobby or get back into something you’ve neglected – so join me back at the music gym! 
“From familiar pieces to those you might not know, there’ll be something for everyone. We’ll be getting to know music that’s infectiously catchy, emotional and memorable. I can’t wait to get started.” Philip Noyce, Classic FM’s Managing Editor, said: “Gareth’s enthusiasm and passion for classical music is infectious, and he shares our mission to make classical music accessible and relevant to all, which he does in a very entertaining and engaging way. He is the perfect host of one of our major new series for 2025, as we introduce a whole new audience to the music we love. He is a force of nature in the world of music and we’re excited to welcome him to the Classic FM family for Together with Gareth Malone.”

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Radiocentre’s CEO Matt Payton has penned his thoughts on radio’s challenges and opportunities in 2025.
“As we begin a new year it’s tempting to look ahead and make predictions about the future. Some of this is sensible planning, scanning the horizon for challenges and opportunities. But if we’ve learned anything in the past few years, it is that uncertainty and events beyond our control can have a significant impact on us professionally and personally.
From what we can tell, 2025 is already shaping up to another year of upheaval and disruption. The inauguration of Donald Trump as US President and all that follows will clearly have an impact on the economic and political situation across the world, including here in the UK. Our own government will also have major decisions to make if it is going to make progress on its agenda.
While these changes will affect us all in some way, they remain largely beyond our direct control or influence. So, without sounding too fatalistic, why worry? Aren’t we better adopting the established psychological approach of thinking about our own sphere of control and sphere of influence, while accepting that there will be many external factors we simply cannot affect? Taking this approach can be quite liberating, as it enables individuals and companies to focus on what they do well and what they could do even better, rather than thinking too much about the inevitable ups and downs they might face along the way.
For audio, the good news is that the foundations are already really solid. Commercial radio had record audiences in 2024, reaching over 40 million people for the first time, with its highest ever share of hours. Advertising revenues were also back in growth after a tough couple of years. For Radiocentre and the audio businesses we represent, there is an opportunity to build on these successes – even in uncertain times – as long as we keep focused on our mission to get industry influencers and decision makers to see radio differently. In practice this is about demonstrating effectiveness, highlighting innovation and representing the sector.
For example, we already have more publicly available research than any other medium, but we plan to add to this in 2025 with new work exploring the benefits of linear and digital audio. We are also focusing on our marketing and events, with our biggest ever Tuning In North conference in Manchester on 13th March, as well as new plans to promote audio to advertisers. These are the types of initiatives that we can control and potentially use to help inform the decisions of clients and agencies when choosing how to invest in 2025 and beyond.
Similarly, in our policy work representing the sector we will continue to focus on initiatives that we can control and drive while thinking within our potential sphere of influence. This includes work with government on the future distribution of radio, as well as with regulators like Ofcom on serious threats to competition from new BBC initiatives and services. We will also be staying close to the implementation of the Media Act, as new measures to secure radio on smart speakers and ensure future viability come ever closer.
None of this detracts from the importance of the bigger picture and long-term planning. However, this year more than ever, we need to focus on what we can realistically control and influence. That way radio and audio can keep thriving even in turbulent times.”

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Matt Fisher has joined Wisebuddah as Creative Director following almost 20 years at the BBC.
He left BBC Radio 1 recently, ready for the move to the indie.
Wisebuddah says Matt will steer the company’s creative vision, provide visionary consultancy, strengthen the company’s commitment to existing clients, and expand its reach to global brands.
Matt’s BBC career began in 2006, working on Station Sound for Radio 1. He later led the Promo teams for Radio 1 and 1Xtra and most recently served as the Lead across all BBC Pop stations.
Phil Tozer, Managing Director of Wisebuddah, told RadioToday: “Matt’s track record of creative leadership makes him a great fit for Wisebuddah. His passion for audio, coupled with his forward-thinking approach to innovation, will allow us to continue evolving in what is an ever-changing audio world.
Wisebuddah’s vision has always been to push the boundaries of what’s possible in audio, and Matt’s arrival marks the start of an exciting new chapter.”
Matt Fisher added: “The next episode in my journey had to be extraordinary, and joining the best of the best was an obvious choice.
“Wisebuddah is a powerhouse of exceptional sound. What excites me most is the opportunity to work with clients to tell meaningful stories through sound, help them forge lasting connections with their audiences, and evoke powerful emotional responses through the art of audio.”

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Gaby Roslin is joining Magic Radio to host a new weekend show.
The BBC Radio 2 cover host and Radio London presenter will start on Saturday 25th January, presenting the 10am till 1pm show.
Gaby previously covered shifts on Breakfast at BBC Radio 2 recently and was noticeable in her absence from the current cover work, which is being done by Mark Goodier, prior to Scott Mills taking over from Zoe Ball in a few weeks.
“I am so excited to finally be able to share the news that I’m joining the Magic Radio family – literally an opportunity that couldn’t be missed,” Gaby said.
“How lucky am I that I get to spend Saturday mornings with the fabulous Magic Radio listeners – finding out how everyone plans to spend their weekend and spending some time with them at the start of the best two days of the week!”
Magic Radio Content Director Paul Sylvester said: “Gaby is one of Britain’s best broadcasters and we’re delighted to be able to announce today that she’s joining the Magic family.
“Alongside our current much-loved on-air team, and with Gok Wan, Nicki Chapman and Mel Giedroyc, also joining us in January, 2025 is set to be an exciting year for the station with much more to come.”

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Greg James caused a bit of a stir on social media yesterday when he posted a statement about not returning to the Radio 1 Breakfast Show today.
Following taking a break over Christmas, Greg thanked his listeners for the last few years and said he couldn’t continue because Radio 1 is now under corporate control.
Greg is known for sometimes joking about things on social media, but that didn’t stop some fans missing the point that he was having a bit of fun around the reports of Glastonbury now being under the corporate control of the BBC.
Posting on Instagram, Greg said: “The R1 Breakfast show team and I were looking forward to starting another year of the show and delivering a load of stupid stuff to get you through the early hours, it’s one of my all-time favourite gigs.
“We were told that the BBC was now a partner and wanted us to a do lot of things in a way we were not interested in. It seems Radio 1 is now under corporate control and is not the way I remember it being. Thanks for listening the last few years!
“We will not be able to continue our work to mess around with the biggest stars in the world and celebrate our amazing listeners, like Owen who accidentally smashed 10,000 eggs, or Alice who flew to Paris to try and get off with some Olympians in the summer. This also means we’ll no longer be conducting funerals for any more ducks.
“Radio 1 is a corporate turn – off, and not for me like it used to be. Hope to see you on one of my many podcasts instead.”
The Breakfast Show host then returned joking that there had been an error in the information he’d received, and he would be back on the show on Monday morning, saying: “We look forward to being there when you need some fun in the morning! Hope to see you there!”
This post first appeared on OnTheRadio.co.uk.

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