UK

PRIDE FM is a new radio service dedicated to serving LGBTQ+ communities across the UK.

Available online, through a dedicated app and on smart speakers, with local opt outs also on DAB where available, the new national 24/7 radio station is being launched by Bridgemore Ltd.
The localised stations will feature tailored programming to support individual PRIDE events and celebrations across the country. Its aim will be to entertain, educate and inform, while celebrating the diversity of the LGBTQI+ community.
The new venture is the brainchild of CEO and founder John Dash, who says: “Over the years, I’ve witnessed how radio has the unique power to unite and strengthen communities.
“Through conversations with PRIDE event organisers nationwide, it became clear that there was a strong desire for a dedicated radio service tailored to these communities.
“We’ve brought that vision to life, combining cutting-edge broadcast technology, online streaming, and production.
“I’m incredibly proud to launch this new service. In today’s climate, there’s an undeniable need for more tolerance and understanding, and PRIDE FM was created with that mission in mind.
“We aim to tell local stories and amplify important issues on a national scale. All wrapped up in a fab schedule of music and entertainment.”
Talks are underway with a variety of brands to secure foundation sponsorships and in addition to its radio services, PRIDE FM will offer event organisers a wide range of additional benefits. These include an event app (for ticketing and what’s on details), support for sourcing entertainment and assistance with event resources.

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Veteran broadcaster Sarita Sabharwal is to return on-air with a regular weekend show on Lyca Gold Radio.

With over four decades experience in UK Asian media, Sabharwal previously worked with Lyca Radio and Dilse Radio (now known as Lyca Gold Radio) before stepping down in 2020 after six years.
Her radio career includes working at stations such as Radio Asia, Sunrise Radio, and after leaving Lyca Radio, she launched her own online station, Dhoom Radio. She also had a brief stint at Jeo Radio.
Raj Baddhan, CEO of Lyca Radio Network, commented: “We are thrilled to welcome Sarita Sabharwal back to the Lyca Radio Network. She is a true icon in the media industry, and I am certain our listeners will be equally excited to hear her on air again.
“Sarita will join our weekend programming on Lyca Gold later this month as part of our ongoing efforts to refresh and enhance our content.”

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Radio X 90s has hired Rob Ellis to host weekdays 11am to 2pm from Global’s Broadcast Centre in Manchester.

The new mid-morning show, which launches on Monday 24th February, will be on 106.1 FM in Manchester and across the UK via Global Player and on smart speakers.
Rob said: “The 90s is one of the best decades to have lived through, and the biggest reason is – THE MUSIC! The 90s was my era, these are my tunes and radio is my trade.
“I’m absolutely buzzing and couldn’t feel more lucky to be part of Radio X 90s. To be broadcasting nationally from Manchester, the seminal home of 90s music, it couldn’t be more perfect. One word for it, MINT!”
Radio X 90s in Manchester will be owned and operated under a brand licence by Communicorp UK.

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talkSPORT has been granted permission from Ofcom to turn off seven of its 18 transmitters.

The move will reduce its national AM radio coverage from 92% to 88.9% of the UK adult population.
The transmitter sites talkSPORT will close are; Clipstone (Nottinghamshire), Duxhurst (Surrey), Lisnagarvey (in County Antrim, Northern Ireland), Lydd (Kent), Stockton (Durham/North Yorkshire), Southwick/Brighton (West Sussex) and Rusthall (Tunbridge Wells).
During the consultation on whether or not to allow the request, Ofcom said it received one response agreeing with the proposal, one response questioning the rationale for the switch off of one specific transmitter and suggesting an amendment to one other, and two neither agreeing nor disagreeing to the specific proposals.
The reasons given by talkSPORT for these changes include declining listenership to its AM service as people turn to alternative platforms, considered against the ongoing viability of each transmitter site.
The 11 sites which remain consist of the following sites: Brookman’s Park (Hertfordshire), Droitwich (North Worcestershire), Moorside Edge (West Yorkshire), Westerglen (Falkirk), Washford (Somerset), Fareham (Hampshire), Dartford Tunnel (Kent), Wallasey (Cheshire), Boston (Suffolk), Wrekenton (Newcastle) and Postwick (Norfolk).
The station will remain available nationally on DAB and other platforms.
Absolute Radio, which held the only other national AM licence for commercial radio, switched off all its transmitters in January 2023 and was fined £25,000 for doing so.

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Two radio programmes from BBC Radio Solent are enjoying new leases of life as weekly television shows.
Alex Dyke’s Bubblegum & Cheese, with an hour of bubblegum pop and cheesy classics including The Sweet, The Monkees, MUD, Suzi Quatro, The Turtles, is now airing on Rewind TV via Sky and Freeview.
In addition, Richard Latto introduces Stereo Underground with indie and alternative anthems, Stranglers, Sex Pistols, The Jam, Buzzcocks, plus viewers requests.
Both programmes were once part of the schedule on local radio stations, broadcast from BBC Radio Solent.
They are now on Saturday nights from 4pm and 5pm for an hour each.
Alex Dyke told RadioToday: “I could never understand why Bubblegum & Cheese, a show that was so popular a large part of people’s Saturday mornings, was cancelled.
“But like all of us I work hard on ratings because at the end of the day great listening figures meant that you had a happy audience and a happy boss.
“As the BBC is no longer interested in audience numbers it’s very hard to know what they want. I glad it’s found a home at Rewind TVand they are nice people to work for.”
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Kay Wright has been appointed Head of BBC Midlands to lead all of the BBC’s local services for radio, TV and online across the West and East Midlands.

She will be responsible for BBC Radio WM, BBC CWR, BBC Radio Stoke, BBC Radio Shropshire, BBC Radio Hereford & Worcester, BBC Radio Derby, BBC Radio Leicester and BBC Radio Nottingham.
In addition to Midlands Today, East Midlands Today, two Sunday Politics programmes, and the region’s digital output.
She takes over from Hayley Valentine who became Director of BBC Scotland last year.
Kay joined the BBC in 1999 and went on to lead BBC Radio Leicester and BBC CWR in the Midlands as Executive Editor before joining the BBC worked in regional and national newspapers.
Most recently she has been heading up TV and digital news output in the North East of England and before that headed up the BBC in the Midlands on an interim basis in 2023.
Kay Wright says: “Having spent much of my career in Leicester, my heart truly belongs in the Midlands. I can’t wait to get back to work with the enormously talented, creative and committed news and programme-makers this region boasts. It will be a huge privilege to work with BBC colleagues as well as regional stakeholders to deliver the highest quality content for our audiences.”
Jason Horton, Director of Production for BBC Local, says: “Kay is a hugely experienced editorial leader who has led a number of teams across the Midlands over the past few years. Her relentless focus on our audiences, understanding what they want from BBC Local, her creativity and her leadership, are qualities that I am sure will make her time leading the BBC across the Midlands a huge success. I am excited to see what she achieves.”
Kay will take up her new role as Head of BBC Midlands from Monday 17 March.

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