UK

BBC Asian Network is celebrating 15 years of The Official Asian Music Chart with a public vote to find the number one track.

The Ultimate Asian Music Chart No.1 Vote, launched in collaboration with The Official Charts Company, was announced this morning on Asian Network Breakfast. Voting opened at 8am today and will close at midday on 1st September.
Listeners can choose from the top 50 biggest-selling tracks that have reached number one since March 2010. Up to five votes can be cast online for the track they think deserves the title of Ultimate Asian Music Chart No.1.
A special live countdown show will air from 7am on Friday 12th September on Asian Network and BBC Sounds, with Asian Network DJs joined by special guests before revealing the winning song.
Ahmed Hussain, Head of Asian Network, said the chart has championed “the incredible talent and diversity of the British Asian and South Asian music scene” and invited listeners to join the celebration.
Martin Talbot, CEO of The Official Charts Company, added that the partnership reflects pride in platforming South Asian talent over the past 15 years.

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Award-winning broadcaster Eryn Cooper is joining the line-up CountryLine Radio with a new programme, The Nashup with Eryn Cooper.

With over a decade of experience in radio, TV, digital media and live events, Eryn is best known for her work on Nashville’s WSM Radio.
“Eryn’s voice, creativity, and natural connection with country fans make her a great fit for our growing station,” said Nathalie Cox, Co-Founder and Creative Director at CountryLine.
Her career highlights include interviewing artists such as Trisha Yearwood, Blake Shelton, Lainey Wilson, and Jelly Roll, as well as producing documentaries and music content through her company, On Air With Eryn Productions.
She has also raised more than $1 million for charity through events and partnerships with organisations including Hope on the Row, Susan G. Komen, and the Band As One Nashville concert at the Ryman Auditorium.
“I’m honoured to join the CountryLine Radio team,” said Eryn. “It’s exciting to bring Nashville’s stories and music to fans across the UK and beyond.”
The Nashup with Eryn Cooper will air Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 7pm – 8pm from 18th August.

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Lucy Horobin is joining Magic Radio to co-host Hometime when Kat Shoob begins maternity leave later this month.

Lucy will team up with Tom Price from Tuesday 26th August, following Kat’s final show on Thursday 21st August.
She has been broadcasting for more than 20 years, starting at Trent FM while at university and going on to work at Key 103 and Heart.
“I am so excited to be joining the team at Magic Radio,” Lucy said. “I love listening to the station and can’t wait to sit in for my beautiful, talented friend Kat Shoob for a few months. I’ll try not to break anything. Tom included. Bring on the fun!”
Kat added: “My birthing playlist as chosen by Hometime listeners is at the ready and what a joy to know that I’m leaving Tom and the show in the care of my brilliant and funny friend Lucy.
“We’ve been mates for years and I can guarantee that, as she says, Lucy will definitely be bringing the fun!”
Away from radio, Lucy has DJ’d in the US and Ibiza, guest presented on QVC, and written two children’s books. She is also developing a new podcast, The Geriatric Mums Club.

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Ofcom has opened an application window for restricted service licence broadcasts taking place between Thursday 12th February and Monday 23rd March 2026.

The regulator says it expects to receive a high number of applications as the period includes Ramadan.
The window for submissions will close at 5pm on Friday 15th August.
Applicants are reminded to check they meet all application criteria and to use the most up-to-date version of the application form when applying.
Full details, including the application form and guidance notes, are available on the Ofcom website.

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Zen Essentials 1, a new wellness audio stream, has launched playing meditation music by day and pure white noise overnight.

Available 24 hours a day, the station plays continuous meditation music during daylight hours, switching at 6pm to uninterrupted white noise until 7am, with no jingles, adverts, or interruptions.
The station says the aim is to provide an ideal backdrop for sleep, relaxation, or deep concentration. It operates entirely without live presenters.
Daytime content may include occasional soft station idents or promos, but avoids commercial breaks to maintain a calm, consistent atmosphere for listeners.
Zen Essentials 1 forms the first stage of a wider wellness-focused strategy. Plans for this year include expanding to selected UK DAB+ multiplexes and launching original podcasts and guided wellness sessions, designed to complement the core audio stream and create a fully digital-first wellness platform.
“We wanted to create a space where people could switch off from the noise of everyday life – literally,” said Stephen Booth, CIO of Zen Essentials. “This is just the beginning; we’re building an entire digital wellness ecosystem around it.”
The service is currently available via zenessentials.digital and the Alexa Skill “Zen Essentials.”

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Jaz Singh will host a new BBC Asian Network afternoon programme starting Monday 1 September.
The show will air Monday to Thursday from 3pm to 6pm and marks Jaz’s first full-time radio presenting role. He became known to audiences as a finalist on BBC TV’s The Traitors before covering various Asian Network shows and presenting Asian Network Motivation. He has also fronted a documentary on BBC Radio 4.
Jaz said: “As a finalist on BBC The Traitors to now hosting my own live radio show with BBC Asian Network, I’m beyond grateful to the people that are putting their trust and time into me because this is a dream.”
Also joining the line-up is Harleen Nottay, who will present The Everyday Hustle every Monday at 6am. Harleen, an award-winning presenter and reporter from Scotland, has worked on the BAFTA-winning Scam Interceptors, Channel 4’s The £12 Million Rental Scam: UNTOLD and BBC One’s Morning Live. Her new show will share tips and stories on business and entrepreneurship within British Asian communities.
Midlands duo Kades and Mr.O will take over the Friday night 9pm to midnight slot from DJ Limelight, who will continue to present the *New Music Show* every Wednesday at 8pm. Mr.O has over 15 years of DJ experience and has appeared on Asian Network since early this year, while Kades has built a large online following for her remixes and genre-blending edits.
DJ Limelight said: “I’ve enjoyed over 18 years of doing weekend evening radio here on BBC Asian Network and feel now is a good time for me to move on and pass the weekend baton onto the next DJ.”
Kades and Mr.O said: “We’re so excited to be joining the Asian Network family and can’t wait to bring our energy to Friday nights.”
Head of Asian Network Ahmed Hussain said the changes reflect the station’s commitment to celebrating British Asian voices and music culture, while bringing in talent from across the UK.
The schedule changes follow the station’s move to Birmingham in April this year as part of the BBC’s Across the UK strategy.

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