UK

Absolute Radio Country’s The Nashville Show is to be hosted by Nashville radio presenter Kelly Sutton.

The new show will see Kelly interview the stars of country music in Nashville as well as bringing the latest news and views from Music City.
The Nashville Show will air on Absolute Radio Country Monday to Thursday from 7pm with a ‘Best Of’ show every Sunday at the same time.
Kelly is the co-host of breakfast show, Coffee, Country and Cody on WSM radio in Nashville as well as her own syndicated radio show, Y’all Access with Kelly Sutton, heard across the US.
In addition to being the only female host of the Grand Ole Opry, Kelly hosts Y’all Access Pass for OneCountry.com and co-leads the Country Heat Weekly podcast on Amazon Music.
Kelly said: “I’ve been blessed over the past two decades to have been able to sit down with some incredible country music legends including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban.
“Now I will be able to bring interviews with the very best names in today’s country music to the UK fans! It feels like a double blessing.
“I can’t wait to get started on Absolute Radio Country and am looking forward to welcoming all y’all to The Nashville Show very soon.”
Ricky Marshall, Head of Content for Absolute Radio Country said: “After an incredible three years under the stewardship of Elaina D Smith, I’m delighted to welcome Kelly Sutton to The Nashville Show.
“Kelly is part of the fabric of Music City, as a host of radio shows, podcasts and the legendary Grand Ole Opry in Nashville she’s perfectly placed to be the new host of The Nashville Show.
“Bringing the biggest and best guests from the home of country music to the UK’s biggest country music radio station, Kelly will be here to connect our audience direct to Music Row, Broadway and beyond.”

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Schedule changes at Smooth Radio will see a move for North West Breakfast’s Darren Parks, plus Tina Hobley hosting an extra show and Adil Ray joining the station.

Darren Parks, host of Smooth Breakfast in the North West of England, moves to become the new host of The Smooth Sanctuary, Monday to Friday from 7pm to 10pm.
Darren takes over from Gary Vincent who remains at Smooth to host The Smooth Sanctuary on Sundays (7pm to 10pm).
Paul Phear continues hosting The Smooth Sanctuary on Saturdays (7pm to 10pm), in addition to his weekday afternoon programme.
Darren said: “The Smooth Sanctuary is the ultimate de-stress after a busy day. I am looking forward to presenting such an iconic show and helping listeners ease into their evenings with the perfect soundtrack of songs.”
Adil Ray is joining to host the Saturday mid-morning programme, 10am to 1pm, launching on Saturday 1st March. This follows his stint as a guest presenter on Smooth over Christmas and New Year.
Adil said: “Joining the Smooth family really feels like I am coming home. It’s no surprise that millions up and down the country are coming together to make Smooth their home too.
“I cannot wait to spend Saturday mornings with you, the best time of the week! Whether you’re at work, doing housework, homework or on the road, please join me for quite simply the best music in the world!”
Tina Hobley will host a second weekend show, on Saturdays from 1pm to 4pm, in addition to her Sunday show (also 1pm to 4pm).
Tina said: “Having been a presenter on the station for more than 10 years, Smooth is definitely my radio home, as I know it is for millions of our listeners.
“I am so excited to be hosting a second weekend show, playing the best music on your Saturday and Sunday afternoons, so whatever you’re doing, I look forward to your company!”
Sally Ardis, Senior Managing Editor of Heart, Smooth, Classic FM, and Gold Radio, said: “As we celebrate another record-breaking set of audience figures, with more than 7.8 million people now tuning in to Smooth each week, we’re excited to offer our listeners new shows powered by the best music.
“It’s fantastic to welcome Adil Ray to our Smooth family, to announce a second weekend show for Tina Hobley, and the brilliant Darren Parks as the new host of The Smooth Sanctuary.”
Last month, we reported that Global is introducing a new ‘nations strategy’ and dropping local and regional shows in England.

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To celebrate three decades in business, Reelworld has updated its company branding, including a new sonic identity.

The company has been creating jingles and imaging for thousands of radio stations around the world for 30 years and recently expanded to develop custom audio identities for brands outside the radio industry.
Reelworld CEO, Mike Thomas says: “For over 30 years we have been leaders and innovators in sonic branding, from radio jingles and imaging services to creating signature audio identities for some of the most-heard brands on the planet.
“It’s uniquely inspiring and satisfying to celebrate this milestone by reimagining and elevating our own brand identity and I’m excited for the world to hear what the next chapter of Reelworld sounds like.”
Created by its in-house design team, the new Reelworld visual brand pays tribute to key design elements of the company’s past while pushing the brand forward using modern typography, a new colour palette, and a completely reimagined brand mark.
A company statement explained: “The new Reelworld sonic identity was produced through a collaborative company effort led by Cofounder and Creative Director Erik Huber and features layers of audio elements reflecting the key areas of Reelworld’s expertise: sound, melody, voice and impact, that build anticipation and excitement, culminating in a signature 2-note sonic logo. If you listen closely, you can even hear a nod to the voiceover from their very first jingle demo in 1995.”
The updated brand will begin rolling out across all digital platforms and marketing materials today.
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With less than a month to go, Radiocentre has added more speakers to the line-up for Tuning In North at Manchester’s Stoller Hall on Thursday 13th March.

Among those announced today is broadcaster, journalist and presenter of Global’s new Gold Radio Drive, Kirsty Gallacher, who will host the morning event.
Also joining the event, is Director of Brand at AO, Arafa Heneghan who will be in conversation with Kirsty about the brand’s audio strategy.
Radiocentre’s CEO Matt Payton will present new research into the UK commercial audio market, conducted in partnership with research consultancy MTM.
His presentation will be followed by a panel discussion on the key findings and how digital formats are helping to drive audiences and amplify the impact of audio advertising.
The panel will feature industry leaders from the Manchester area, including Jon Kershaw, Managing Director, PHD Manchester, Kate Bradbury, Deputy Managing Director, Wavemaker North, Gemma Lee, AV Partner at Carat (Dentsu), as well as Simon Kilby, Managing Director at Bauer Media Advertising.

Previously announced speakers also include the Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport, Lisa Nandy, and Andrew Tindall, SVP of Global Partnerships at System1.
Matt Payton, says: “With the audio industry experiencing such momentum at the moment, we’re looking forward to bringing these great speakers to our stage in Manchester to share insights on unlocking the audio advantage.”
Confirmed speakers:

Arafa Heneghan, Director of Brand, AO
Simon Kilby, Managing Director, Bauer Media Advertising
Gemma Lee, AV Partner, Carat (Dentsu)
Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport
Kirsty Gallacher, Presenter, Gold Radio Drive
Jon Kershaw, Managing Director, PHD Manchester
Matt Payton, CEO, Radiocentre
Andrew Tindall, SVP of Global Partnerships, System1
Kate Bradbury, Deputy Managing Director, Wavemaker North

Tickets to attend Tuning In North in-person are free for Radiocentre member stations, brands and agencies based in the North and can be booked here.
An option to register to view a livestream of the event is also available for those unable to make it to Manchester.

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Radio Tyneside is seeking new premises as its current home, owned by the Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Trust is being sold.
The station has been told there is nowhere else to relocate to within the hospital buildings, and to find alternative premises.
Discussions with various organisations are already underway, and there is great optimism that a suitable new location will be found, says the station.
Radio Tyneside’s Chairman, Dave Nicholson OBE emphasised the importance of securing new premises: “We remain committed to providing our unique service to patients and the local community, as well as reaching listeners online.
“But to continue, we urgently need a new location for our studios. We are appealing to individuals, businesses, and organisations who may be able to help us find a new home. If you can assist in any way, please get in touch.”
Today, the station serves hospital patients at the Freeman Hospital and Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, as well as the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead. It also reaches the wider community via 93.6 FM, DAB, and online streaming.
For more information the station can be contacted via info@radiotyneside.co.uk.

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The spring schedule for BBC Radio 2 will include a new weekly show for Zoe Ball and a time slot change for Pick of the Pops.

Zoe Ball will launch a Saturday show (1-3pm) from May, playing some of her favourite music and as previously announced, she will also host Elaine Paige: 60 Years in Showbusiness, a world exclusive concert honouring the career of the Radio 2 presenter.
Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, says: “Zoe is one of the UK’s most loved presenters, so I’m thrilled to announce that she has a new home on Radio 2 on Saturday lunchtimes, plus she’ll be hosting various specials for us throughout the year.”
On Friday 25th April, a range of musical theatre stars will perform some of Elaine’s favourite songs at the London Palladium, which will be broadcast on Radio 2 on Sunday 4th May (8-10pm).
A special this April for Radio 2 and BBC TV, will see Elaine in conversation with Zoe in which Elaine tells the story of her life and career.
Also in May, Pick of the Pops, hosted by Mark Goodier and currently broadcast Saturday lunchtimes, will move to Sundays, 5-7pm.
Mark says: “I presented my first BBC Radio 1 Top 40 in 1988, so I hope bringing Pick of the Pops to the traditional Sunday afternoon chart show home is an irresistible invitation to pop fans of all generations to join me for a nostalgic look back to some of the greatest songs from across the decades.”
Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, says: “Placing Pick of the Pops in the live early evening Sunday slot is a throwback to years gone by, when we’d gather around the radio to listen to the chart countdown, and we didn’t have access to programming in our pocket.
“These days, Pick of the Pops fans can listen to the programme on demand, at any time and anywhere that suits them, on BBC Sounds.”
Rob Beckett has decided to step down from his Sunday afternoon show in April, just before Easter, but will continue to appear on Radio 2 as a cover presenter.
Richie Anderson will launch a new Sunday night into Monday morning show, midnight-3am in April, broadcasting live from BBC MediaCity in Salford.
Phil Williams will continue as a cover presenter on Radio 2, including deputising for OJ Borg.
Other highlights on the station this spring include the Country music festival, C2C – Country to Country, Radio 2 Loves Brass, Top Brass presented by James Morrison, Remembering Johnnie Walker, Jeremy Vine presenting a documentary, The Heat is On in Saigon, marking the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, Michelle Visage – The Musicals That Changed My Life, Big Night of Musicals returns for a fourth year and Radio 2 is commemorating the 80th anniversary of VE Day – 8th May, 1945 – with a concert, BBC Radio 2 presents: VE Day 80 – A Swinging Celebration, at the Alexandra Palace Theatre in London presented by Vernon Kay. Full details can be found here.

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