UK

Lomond Radio is expanding its offering with the launch of two new sister stations on the Inverclyde DAB multiplex.

From today, listeners will be able to tune into Lomond Christmas, which will play festive favourites around the clock in the run-up to the holidays. One month later, on 1 November, Lomond Country will launch, bringing a non-stop mix of classic and contemporary country hits.
Paul Lucas, Director at Lomond Radio, said: “We are so excited to be launching not one, but two new stations. We’ve seen incredible support for Lomond Radio’s local focus, and this expansion allows us to offer even more tailored content. Whether you’re ready for carols in October or you want classic country hits, we’re keeping our promise of non-stop music right here in our community.”
The new services join Lomond Radio’s main station and will broadcast 24 hours a day across Inverclyde and the Clyde Coast. Both new channels will feature an uninterrupted music format, designed for listeners at home, at work or on the move.
Full details are available at lomondradio.co.uk, with updates also posted across the station’s social media channels.

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Coastal Radio DAB marked its third birthday with a special outside broadcast from Pleasure Beach Blackpool on Friday, 26 September.

Listeners tuned in to Scott Gallagher’s Drivetime show live from the seafront attraction, where the team cut a birthday cake and gave away pantomime tickets thanks to Pleasure Beach Blackpool.
The station had already spent the day playing birthday messages from listeners, advertisers and sponsors.
Paula Davies, Founder and Managing Director, said: “It’s so important for local radio to be part of the community it serves, and Coastal Radio DAB fills the gap left by the national take overs. The team at Coastal Radio DAB are passionate about local radio and between them bring more than 50 years of local radio experience to the table.”
Coastal Radio DAB serves Blackpool, Wyre and the Fylde Coast on multiple platforms, including DAB. The station, which launched in 2022, continues to provide local news, information and entertainment tailored to its community.

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Central FM has confirmed two new senior appointments as part of its leadership team.

Andrew McMurray returns to the station as Station Manager, while Brad Yule takes on the role of Head of Programming.
Andrew has more than two decades of experience in radio, media and commercial leadership. He previously held senior roles with DC Thomson and Wave 102FM, and worked as Central FM’s Commercial Manager between 2014 and 2017.
Speaking about his new role, Andrew said: “Central FM is a 100% local radio station, proudly rooted in the Forth Valley. Our purpose is to serve our community, and I’m honoured to lead daily operations and work alongside a passionate team who truly believe in local radio.”
Brad, who began his career at Central FM, has gone on to work at major UK radio brands including Capital FM, and more recently Edge Radio.
His appointment as Head of Programming brings him back to the station where he started out.
Brad commented: “Coming back to Central FM feels like coming home. With the experience I’ve gained, I’m excited to build on our position as the number one commercial station in the Forth Valley and connect even more deeply with our audience.”
Both Andrew and Brad bring a combination of local knowledge and industry experience to their new roles. The appointments are intended to strengthen Central FM’s commitment to providing engaging and relevant local broadcasting for listeners across the Forth Valley.

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Audio Always has unveiled a series of new podcasts, a refreshed leadership team and a move to larger studios at Media City in Salford.

The production company, now in its thirteenth year, is behind some of the UK’s most recognisable podcasts including ‘Help I Sexted My Boss’, ‘Secret Mum Club’ and ‘The Pitcairn Trials’. It also produces a wide range of BBC radio shows across Radio 1, Radio 2 and 6 Music.
Among the latest launches is comedy podcast ‘Joe and James Fact Up’ featuring actors Joe Thomas and James Buckley, who rose to fame in The Inbetweeners. The weekly show debuted on 23 September. Audio Always has also introduced ‘The Jack & Ash Show’ with Jack Remmington and Ash Holme, and taken on ‘The Girls Bathroom’. In October, a new podcast titled ‘You Don’t Know You’re Born’ will join the slate, hosted by Danny Miller, Brooke Vincent and Wingman.
These new productions are overseen by executive producers Pete Linney and Ben Cartwright, who, alongside Sam Davies, have been appointed as Content Directors.
Sam will focus on commissions from BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 6 Music and the British Council. Together, Ben, Sam and Pete will work with Paul Fernley, Business Development Director, and Amelia Collingwood, Operations Director, under founder and Managing Director Stuart Morgan.
Stuart told RadioToday the expansion marks a significant step forward: “The new studios in Manchester, together with the new podcasts and team means that Audio Always is a real powerhouse of audio creativity.”
The company has also relocated to a new head office at Media City. The site includes three visual studios dedicated to podcasting and audiobooks. Paul Fernley added: “The Manchester studios represent the head office of Audio Always, and perfectly reflect our northern roots. They are home to many of our radio shows, original podcasts and audiobooks.”
Recent brand partnerships across the Original podcast slate have included Jet2, Jet2 Holidays, Toby Carvery and Go Ape. Audio Always says it will continue to deliver new opportunities for advertisers looking to reach highly engaged audiences.
‘Joe and James Fact Up’ is released every Tuesday, ‘The Girls Bathroom’ every Wednesday, ‘You Don’t Know You’re Born’ on Thursdays and ‘The Jack & Ash Show’ each Friday.
For more details visit audioalways.com/studios.

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Heat Mallorca staged its first Bring a Euro To Work Day recently, uniting schools, businesses and even airline staff across the island in a fundraising effort.

The event encouraged people to donate just one euro at work, with money going to five local charities chosen by the station’s presenters. Schools, shops, cafés, bars, tech companies and offices all joined in, alongside Ryanair cabin crew who collected donations mid-flight.
Heat Mallorca broadcast live from Cyril’s Sports Bar in Magaluf throughout the day, with Sofia, Kirsty and Richard each presenting shows and reporters linking up with workplaces around the island.
Highlights included non-uniform days, silly hat competitions, raffles, auctions and sponsorships. Businesses across Mallorca also organised their own fundraising activities, adding to the total raised.

Station Director Jamie Fletcher said the day showed “the best of Mallorca — communities coming together, workplaces uniting, and people giving what they can to support brilliant local causes”. He added that the outside broadcasts gave the station a chance to be “in the heart of the island”.
Stephen Evans, owner of Cyril’s Sports Bar, said hosting the event was a highlight: “The atmosphere all day was brilliant, our customers loved being part of the broadcasts, and it felt really special to see the community come together under one roof to support such important charities.”
Bring a Euro To Work Day was Heat Mallorca’s first island-wide fundraiser of this type and organisers say the strong response shows potential for it to become a regular fixture.

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The BBC has celebrated more than 300 people and groups across the UK in this year’s Make a Difference Awards.

Forty award ceremonies took place throughout September, with all 39 local BBC radio stations in England joining BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle, and BBC Radio nan Gàidheal to recognise remarkable acts of kindness, resilience and community spirit.
Winners included volunteers, community leaders and individuals who have supported others in extraordinary ways. For the first time, 20 animals were also recognised, ranging from birds of prey and a tortoise to mountain rescue and assistance dogs.
Among those honoured was Janet Willoner from Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, who won the Green Award from BBC Radio York after growing and donating more than 4,000 trees from her garden. Shani Stephens from Swansea received the Volunteer Award from BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru for her work at the Ty Fforest Resource Hub, which provides food and essential support to local residents.
In Scotland, Pauline Moriarty was presented with the Fundraiser Award by BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio nan Gàidheal for her dedication to the charity Beautiful Inside and Out, set up after the loss of her daughter Jenna. The charity now supports those affected by suicide through counselling and therapy.
Support2Gether, a project in Northern Ireland founded by two mothers with lived experience of anxiety and postnatal depression, received the Community Award from BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle. Mountain rescue dog Morag was recognised by BBC Radio Cumbria for her role in helping save stranded walkers and climbers in the Lake District.
Chris Burns, Controller of Local Audio Commissioning, said: “The BBC Make a Difference Awards are a powerful reminder of the compassion and generosity that exists in every corner of the UK. These stories of selflessness and community spirit are truly inspiring.”
Now in their fourth year, the awards continue to highlight the contributions of people and organisations working tirelessly to improve lives and strengthen communities across the UK.
For more information about the awards and this year’s winners, visit bbc.co.uk/makeadifference.

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