UK

Journalist and broadcaster Kate McCann is joining Stig Abell to co-host Times Radio’s Breakfast show Monday to Thursday.

Kate has been political editor of Times Radio since 2023 and will start her new job on Monday 3rd February, taking over from Aasmah Mir who left in November.
Prior to Times Radio, McCann was political editor of TalkTV between 2022 and 2023, a political correspondent for Sky News between 2018 and 2022, and the Daily Telegraph’s senior political correspondent between 2015 and 2018.
Kate McCann said: “There are very few things that could get me out of bed at 3am every morning but the opportunity to present Times Radio Breakfast is top of that list.
“It’s such a huge privilege to join Stig and the team waking the nation up every morning and I hope to bring curiosity, political instinct and a bit of northern warmth to our new Breakfast show.
“Politics is my first love, so there will be plenty of that – and I can’t think of a better time to be taking on the challenge as Donald Trump becomes President again, Labour attempts to steer the UK out of economic difficulty and social media bosses continue to become the voices of our age.
“I can’t wait to join the team as we try to answer some of the biggest questions facing us all in what’s set to be a year of huge global change.”
Stig Abell said: “You can’t do a breakfast show if you can’t face seeing your co-presenter everyday at 4 in the morning. Happily, I know Kate very well and that she will be a brilliant person to start the day with. She has been a real asset to Times Radio as political editor. I cannot wait for her to bring all her energy and intelligence to our daily exploration of the news, politics and curiosities of the morning.”
McCann will step away from her role co-hosting flagship politics show Sunday Morning with Adam Boulton, which he will now present solo.
In addition, Times Radio will welcome comedian and writer Geoff Norcott to the station presenter line-up, with a Friday evening (7pm-10pm) show.
Geoff Norcott said: “I can’t wait to take over Friday evenings. Times Radio does a great job of keeping people informed and entertained, so given it’s the start of the weekend my show will tend towards the latter.
“We’ll still keep people across the big stories, but there will also be a lot of chat about music, TV, film and sport. Given that I grew up on a council estate, some people are calling this a diversity hire, but I’d like to think I’m here on merit.”
Other appointments include the launch of former Conservative MP and House of Lords member Ed Vaizey’s permanent Friday morning show (10am-1pm), giving listeners a regular weekly dose of sharp political insight.
Andrew Neil will return to Times Radio to present Times at One for one week every month throughout 2025. The Times at One show will also feature a rotating roster of presenters, including broadcaster Sir Trevor Phillips, Times columnist Daniel Finkelstein and editor of the Times political newsletter Lara Spirit.
Andrew Neil said: “I am delighted to renew and continue my association with Times Radio, which continues to go from strength to strength. The need for informed, unbiased and quality analysis of current events has never been greater and Times Radio is the perfect platform from which to provide it.”
It was announced earlier this month that journalist, broadcaster, and Sunday Times columnist Rod Liddle will be the new host of its Saturday morning show.
Station PD Tim Levell said: “Kate McCann has been exceptional as political editor. Listeners value her credibility, clarity and authority. And her interviews have made some of the biggest headlines of 2024. Kate is the perfect choice to make Times Radio Breakfast agenda-setting and must-listen.
“In 2025, Times Radio is committed to being the voice of The Times, delivering intelligent, insightful and engaging news coverage and debate. Our enhanced presenter line-up brings together a diverse range of voices, ensuring our listeners get a broad spectrum of perspectives, analysis and expert opinions. With brilliant names throughout the day, we’re excited about the future of Times Radio.”

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Global has announced a new podcast with LBC presenter and author James O’Brien.
LBC says James O’Brien Daily will feature all the best bits from James’ weekday phone-in programme packed into a 60-minute podcast.
The podcast has been created for people who are unable to listen to James’ LBC show live or catch up on the whole programme on Global Player. Each episode willbe uploaded in time for listeners’ evening commute or downtime at home.
James O’Brien said: “I’m very excited to reach a whole new audience of people whose lifestyles don’t let them listen live or to the whole show on catch up. Thanks to my brilliant team and the most incredible callers in the world, we’ve gone from strength to strength in recent years and this feels like a perfect new chapter.”
Vicky Etchells, Director of Global Podcasts, said: “Whether live on his LBC phone-in programme or talking to guests on his Full Disclosure podcast, James is a phenomenal broadcaster and an incisive communicator. As his LBC show celebrates its highest audience figures, this is the perfect time to launch James O’Brien Daily, packed with the best moments from each day, although it’s going to be a challenge to decide what to leave out!”

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The Scott Mills Breakfast Show gets underway on Monday 27th January 2025 following the departures of Zoe Ball.

Trevor Nelson also starts his new show, Monday to Friday, 2-4pm, along with The Good Groove with DJ Spoony, Monday to Thursday, 10pm – midnight.
Later the same week, on Friday 31st January, Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s Kitchen Disco launches her new weekly two hour show from 9 till 11pm.
The station is also bringing back the Piano Room in February and a number of new shows and specials.
They include a concert in celebration of Elaine Paige’s 60 year career in showbusiness at the London Palladium hosted by Zoe Ball and a new five-part series – Eras: Bob Marley – presented by Trevor Nelson, and much more.
Scott says: “I am counting down the days until I get to host the Radio 2 Breakfast Show. It’s the biggest breakfast show in the UK and a career dream for me come true.
“I feel honoured to be a part of the morning routine for millions of listeners as they wake up and start their day.”
Full details including the full line-up for Piano Room month can be found here.

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The BBC Sounds Audio Lab is back for its fourth year continuing in its mission to discover and develop the next generation of audio creators.
This year, a new cohort will their ideas into podcasts which will be showcased on BBC Sounds, transforming ideas into new series which reflect diverse experiences from across the UK.
Four successful creators will receive a full-time salary for seven months (from July 2025 – January 2026) at Assistant Producer level, plus a comprehensive package of practical and professional training that includes dedicated production support and a bespoke training plan.
Audio Lab will embed the creators with one of its production partners from across the UK. In 2025, our production partners are two BBC teams and two independent production companies: BBC Audio Scotland and Northern Ireland (Glasgow and Belfast), Persephonica (Sheffield), BBC Audio North (Salford) and Reduced Listening (London).
Khaliq Meer, Commissioning Executive for BBC Sounds Audio Lab, says: “We are proud to bring back BBC Sounds Audio Lab for its fourth year, continuing our commitment to nurturing emerging talent and fostering creative new ideas from across the UK.
“The success of Sacred Money, which won Specialist Podcast at the British Podcast Awards in 2024, highlights the exceptional quality and industry recognition our programme achieves.
“With podcast listenership at an all-time high and BBC Sounds seeing 2.3 billion plays across all content in 2024, there has never been a better time for the next generation to join us and benefit from the unparalleled support and resources we and our partners can offer.”
To support applicants with their submissions and answer questions, there will be an Audio Lab webinar on Monday 20th January at 18:00 which will also be available to watch back on the Audio Lab website shortly after the session.
See more and register here.

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Central FM wants to increase the range of its small-scale DAB multiplex to add an extra 50,000 potential listeners to its coverage area.
The licensee is proposing a power increase from 260W to 490W for the existing transmitter at Earl’s Hill and from 50W to 140W for the existing transmitter located at Central FM’s studio.
Ofcom is consulting on the request to vary the licensed area to improve the commercial viability of the service.
None of the listeners who are currently served by the multiplex would lose coverage under the revised plan and previously unserved areas, including parts of the city of Dunfermline, would be covered.
Ofcom says it is minded to approve the application and is seeking views from interested or affected parties, which must be submitted by 3 February 2025.

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Carlisle community radio station CRFM is planning to launch an online service for west Cumbria at the end of March.
CRFM West will have its own programming coming from region from 6am to 6pm Monday to Friday, with shared shows with CRFM East at the weekend.
In a social media post, the station said: “As soon as they get DAB for community stations in the Carlisle and West Cumbria areas, both services will go on to DAB.
“As we are a community radio service, the company operates as a Community Interest Company (CIC) as all the money they make goes back into running the station and all the staff work on a voluntary basis.”

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