UK

Channel 103 has joined forces with ferry operator DFDS to launch Channel Christmas, the Channel Islands’ first radio station dedicated to non-stop festive favourites.

The Christmas-themed sister station to Channel 103 and Island FM is live now and will be on air until 27th December.
Channel 103 Breakfast Presenter Peter Mac said: “We know how much our listeners love the festive season and we’re thrilled to be giving them the Christmas feeling 24 hours a day and I get to wear my Christmas jumpers even more this year!”
DFDS Route Director Chris Parker said: “Christmas is a special time for islanders as well as our teams on board and in port, so we’re delighted to team up with Channel 103 for the perfect Christmas soundtrack.

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A new station dedicated to the art of the soundtrack composer is launching on Friday 31st October.

Soundtrack Radio will celebrate music from film, television, anime and video games, broadcasting orchestral and cinematic scores 24 hours a day.
The station comes from Atlantic Screen Group, the international music publisher known for specialising in original film and TV scores. Its launch marks the company’s expansion into radio, highlighting composers and the music that brings stories to life on screen.
Atlantic Screen Group Chairman and former Classic FM Programme Director Steve Orchard said: “It has been a long-term ambition at Atlantic Screen Music to create a radio station that focusses exclusively on the art of the soundtrack composer.
“It’s a real thrill to air this inspiring music in a radio context. Our first objective is to bring the world’s most beautiful music to audiences in a way which brings calm, reflection, and inspiration.”
He added that the partnership with John Dash Media has helped shape the new service, with plans to deepen appreciation of composers and their work over time.
The first jingles for Soundtrack Radio have been created by movie composer Hugo de Chaire. Launch activity includes a Halloween horror-themed special and listener prizes of signed limited-edition vinyl copies of Edo Van Breemon’s soundtrack for The Monkey.
Soundtrack Radio can be heard at soundtrackradio.co.uk and via the Android app, with iOS and Alexa access coming soon.

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Forth 1 breakfast presenters Boogie and Arlene have been awarded honorary doctorates by Edinburgh Napier University.

The honour is in recognition of their outstanding broadcasting careers and community work.
The duo, who host Boogie in the Morning alongside Producer Marty, received the honour at a ceremony at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall today.
Their show, broadcast across Scotland, has twice won Best Music Breakfast Show at the Audio & Radio Industry Awards, taking home the trophy in both 2024 and 2025.
Boogie said: “The ceremony was such a special occasion. We have met so many amazing people today and want to say special thanks to everyone at Edinburgh Napier University.”
Arlene added: “I’m deeply honoured. It was a very emotional experience especially with my parents here. I never thought they would see this happen.”
Edinburgh Napier’s Director of Marketing and External Relations, Geoff Day, praised their dedication, saying: “Boogie and Arlene have been welcome guests at breakfast tables across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and further afield for nearly 20 years.
“Their longevity and accolades demonstrate their continued professionalism and support for their community.”
Boogie began his radio career as a volunteer at Radio Borders in 1991 before joining Radio Forth in 2001. Arlene started in television at Grampian, later presenting Country Matters and The River, before joining Forth 1 in 2008.
They have been a part of raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for Forth 1’s Cash for Kids and continue to support local causes across Scotland.

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Virgin Radio UK is launching Virgin Radio Christmas, a pop-up station playing non-stop festive songs.

The station will go live from Saturday 1st November and will run until midnight on Boxing Day.
On weekdays in the run-up to 25th December, The Chris Evans Breakfast Show with The National Lottery will broadcast from 6:30am to 10am, followed by wall-to-wall Christmas tunes for the rest of the day.
Virgin Radio Christmas will be available on DAB in London, via the Virgin Radio app, on smart speakers, and online.

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The Sunrise Radio Group will mark its 36th anniversary with the launch of two new stations on 5th November.

The expansion coincides with the date Sunrise Radio first went on air in 1989.
These new additions, Sunrise Hits and Sunrise Retro, will expand the network’s offering for listeners across the UK.
Sunrise Hits will become the group’s second national Asian commercial station, playing contemporary and easy-listening Asian hits on DAB. It’s described as the UK’s smoothest Asian hits station.
Meanwhile, Sunrise Retro will focus on Bollywood and Punjabi classics from before the 2000s, from what it calls the golden era of Asian music.
Tony Lit MBE, Managing Director of The Sunrise Radio Group, said: “It’s always been our mission at The Sunrise Group to ensure that our audience has the widest and best choice of their favourite music and entertainment, across the different musical genres and across the ages.
“I’m excited about the expansion of The Sunrise Group network, offering listeners across the UK more choice.”

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Magic Radio has unveiled a new audio identity created by TM Studios, marking a complete refresh of its station sound across the network.

The new package covers everything from the breakfast show with Gok Wan and Harriet Scott through to Mellow Magic, with a brief to make Magic sound modern while keeping its warm and familiar tone.
Chris Stevens and Dave Bethell led the project for TM Studios. Chris said: “Magic was evolving, and that gave us the opportunity to create a sound that connects generations of listeners, from those who already know and trust Magic Radio, to new audiences discovering it for the first time.”
The new melody is designed to be instantly recognisable and memorable, combining UK and US vocal talent to reflect Magic’s blend of timeless and contemporary music. It also features elements inspired by Magic Musicals, giving the brand a cohesive and versatile sound.
Bauer’s Group Operations Director Chris Ward said: “TM have created the perfect jingle package for Magic Radio. It’s contemporary, friendly, and the new melody immediately sticks in your head. It’s exactly what we were after.”
The new sonic branding has also been extended to Magic Soul, Magic Musicals and Magic Christmas, creating a unified sound across all of Magic’s stations.
Dave Bethell added: “We wanted the Magic identity to sound like it feels – friendly, familiar and warm, but with a confident modern polish.”
Cuts from the new package and commentary from Bauer can be heard in the official launch video on YouTube.
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