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BBC Radio 1 has named the next wave of recipients of the Annie Nightingale Pioneers.

Formerly the Annie Nightingale Scholarship, the scheme is an initiative designed to champion up-and-coming women and non-binary DJs in the Dance scene.
The late Annie Nightingale became the first-ever female DJ on Radio 1 when she joined the station over 50 years ago. She was the station’s longest-serving DJ and hosted a weekly show on Tuesday nights showcasing the biggest and best new Dance tracks.
Now into its fourth year, the initiative continues to celebrate and elevate talented women and non-binary people in the electronic music scene – a space which has historically overlooked these voices.
Each year three brand-new DJs are given the opportunity to showcase their taste and expertise on a national platform.
Aled Haydn Jones, Head of Radio 1, says: “Annie had a pioneering spirit and an unwavering dedication to discovering and supporting emerging talent so I’m proud that we can continue her legacy through this important initiative, paving the way for new DJing talent.
“I can’t wait to see what our 2024 recipients have lined up!”
The 2024 recipients are (in alphabetical order):
re:ni

re:ni is a DJ and producer born in Birmingham and later raised in Dorset. She is renowned for her sub-heavy sound which marries deep dub sonics with dark mutations of techno, jungle and dubstep. Following her steady rise as an internationally recognised DJ, re:ni released her second EP in February and in October she released her first record on her own label ‘re:lax’.
re:ni says: “It is an honour to have been selected by Annie Nightingale Pioneers. As a female producer, my biggest motivation is to inspire and empower other women to make music. To be recognised as a pioneer compels me to continue the example set by Annie and to keep uplifting and celebrating all of the amazing female talent in the Dance music world today.”
Tash LC

Tash LC is a London-based DJ and producer with a passion for music from the global club space. She draws in listeners with a balance of textured afro-jazz and highlife fusions with meetings of Kuduro, Gqom and eclectic club rhythms. She has had a residency on BBC Radio 1Xtra and also runs a record label and club night called ‘Club Yeke’ which focuses on platforming music from the Global South.
Tash LC says: “Being chosen as one of Annie’s Pioneers is a huge, huge honour. I’ve always looked up to Annie as an absolute legend who paved the way for so many incredible women in radio and DJ’ing so to be a part of her legacy is amazing. I’m excited to showcase a journey through some of the music from the scenes I love and the producers that shape the global club world.”
Tatyana Jane

Tatyana Jane is a DJ and producer born in Cameroon and raised in the South of France. Her musical style is deeply influenced by her rich cultural heritage and is blended with contemporary elements of broken rhythm. Her second EP was released in May and this summer she performed alongside Skrillex at Berlin’s CTM Festival as well as performing at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Tatyana Jane says: “I am deeply honoured to have been chosen as one of the Annie Nightingale Pioneers 2024 on BBC Radio 1. This opportunity is more than just an accomplishment for me; it’s a chance to celebrate and amplify diversity in the electronic music scene. Through my mix, I want to advocate for the idea that every voice matters and that together, we can push the boundaries of what this culture represents. Join me on November 9th to share this vision with you.”
The 2024 recipients will each appear in a special show on Saturday 9 November from 11pm-2am.

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Times Radio breakfast co-host Aasmah Mir has announced her departure from the show saying she’s “on to the next”.
Posting on social media this morning, Aasmah, who joined Times in 2020 from BBC Radio 4, said all good things must come to an end.
She said: “I’ve decided to step down from Times Radio Breakfast at the end of January.
“I want to say a few things. Joining TR in 2020 was the best decision I ever made. We started something from nothing. And I loved every day.
“Getting up at 3am has a huge impact on your home life, especially if you become a single parent. My daughter was 4 when I started this job and she just wants her mummy to take her to school again. She deserves a bit of normality and a less grumpy mum.
“What a fantastic bunch of people I’ve worked with. You know who you are. And Stig. 😁 I’m not sure how it worked but it did.
“I’ll miss our partnership, the times I was reduced to tears of laughter and couldn’t carry on. And to you, the listeners – thank you. On to the next. X.”
Times Radio Breakfast is currently hosted by Aasmah and Stig Abell.
No news on a replacement has been announced, and RadioToday has contacted Times Radio for more info.

JOB NEWS:All good things must come to an end my friends. I’ve decided to step down from Times Radio Breakfast at the end of January. I want to say a few things. Joining TR in 2020 was the best decision I ever made. We started something from nothing. And I loved every day. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/kQrCCZflA5
— Aasmah Mir (@AasmahMir) November 5, 2024

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A new 12-part podcast series from BBC Radio WM and BBC Local has been created on the approach to the 50th anniversary of the Birmingham Pub Bombings.

The series explores the impact of the bombs on the countless people affected such as family members of victims, the Birmingham Six and their families, and the city itself.
It wraps 50 years of an evolving story together for the first time and positions the bombings in the wider context of the Troubles and the Good Friday Agreement.
Produced, researched and presented for BBC Sounds by journalist Ed Barlow, In Detail: The Pub Bombings tells the story of one of the worst terrorist attacks on British soil.
It also features never before heard footage of one of the men accused of the bombings and harrowing personal testimony, revealing how countless lives have been impacted.
There are also interviews with veteran BBC broadcaster Michael Buerk, who reported on the night of the attack and the trial of the Birmingham Six.
Ed says: “Many of a certain age will know elements of this case – or remember aspects of it – but there are many who simply won’t know anything about it at all – and that was one of the reasons for making this series. We wanted to make sure that people don’t forget the fact that 21 people died in the most awful circumstances and highlight the fact that there are still more questions than answers about what really happened that night in 1974. The ripple effects of those bombs are still being felt to this day, in all sorts of ways, by so many people.”
BBC Radio WM’s Executive Editor Chris Pegg, who commissioned the series, says: “This is such an important part of the history of Birmingham and the wider West Midlands. This is the first time the whole story has been told in its entirety. Listeners will be taken from 1970s Birmingham to modern day Belfast thanks to some first-class storytelling.”
In Detail: The Pub Bombings will be available exclusively on BBC Sounds from Mon 4th November. Episodes will also be played on Sarah Julian at Breakfast on BBC Radio WM daily from Monday 4 November.

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BBC Radio 4 has today announced new comedy commissions including the return of Frank Skinner’s One Person Found This Helpful.

It marks a return to radio for Frank Skinner after being let go by Bauer when his contract with Absolute Radio came to an end.
Icklewick FM, a co-commission with BBC TV Comedy, is also coming back to give listeners another slice of the dysfunctional community radio from the fictional Northern town of Icklewick, written by and starring Edinburgh Award winner Amy Gledhill and Chris Cantrill with a raft of brilliant sketch comedians.
The Final Word with Matt Forde, a new satirical comedy show, will see political comedian Matt Forde raid his contacts list and probe into some of the trickiest political subjects, interviewing politicians and chatting to comedy guests.
After winning the ARIA gold award for her previous Radio 4 stand-up special, I Don’t Know What to Say, former teacher and mother of three Laura Smyth returns with a stand-up series, Your Mum, where Laura and her guests share hilarious anecdotes, advice and sayings from the mouths of mothers and examine why maternal relationships can occasionally drive us up the wall.
In Ria Lina Gets Forensic, stand-up and qualified forensic scientist Ria Lina investigates anti-aging treatments, scrutinising the lengths people will go to cheat age and stay young. Using herself as a test subject, Rina will try to separate out the facts from the fads and fictions.
What? Seriously?? is a new podcast which combines comedy with quirky history, hosted by Dara O’Briain and Isy Suttie, who will unravel an extraordinary real-life tale each week with the help of a celebrity guest.
The Lively Life of Lindsey Santoro, a new stand-up series, will see Lindsey Santoro reading excerpts of her journal across four different days.
The new commissions also include a focus on scripted comedy, with second series for the parody of women’s magazine shows, Time of The Week, starring Sian Clifford and sitcom Do Gooders, which is set in the offices of a fictional charity and whose first series starred Fay Ripley, Ania Magliano and Frank Skinner.
Travis Jay’s Rum Punch has been commissioned for a series following a successful pilot. Drawing on various elements of Travis Jay’s own life, Rum Punch follows a multi-generational family as they struggle to keep their Caribbean restaurant afloat, as Marley, played by Travis, tries to find his niche in life. Dan Does Dating is a new sitcom from Michael Beck, following a man as he searches for love from one terrible date to another… could the problem be him?
Destined for greatness, up-and-coming comedy trio Crybabies have a lot of fun putting their signature playful twist on a series of audio adventures in homage to the Hollywood staples of their childhood in Crybabies Present… with hilarious and heartwarming takes on everything from Seagal-inspired action to Disney-esque fantasy.
Fans can also expect the return of One Person Found This Helpful, Frank Skinner’s panel show about online reviews. Michael Spicer will return with another series of Michael Spicer: No Room, playing every character in a host of sketches brilliantly satirising the nonsense of the modern world. Current Strictly favourite Chris McCausland will bring You Heard It Here First back for another series, asking a panel of comedians to answer questions, receiving only audio clues and descriptions.
Glenn Moore’s Almanac returns for a second series, and Stuart Mitchell follows up his successful Cost of Living series with Stuart Mitchell’s Cost of Dying, which takes a playful look at the real size of the bill after we pass away.

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Christian Smith is joining Bauer from Global to take up the role of Group Head of Music Programming.
This new position will see Christian reporting into Rob D’Ovidio, Bauer’s Director of Music for Broadcast, On-Demand and Premium, helping to shape and deliver the portfolio’s musical strategy; as well as overseeing scheduling, reporting and musical output for all of Bauer’s audio brands.
Rob D’Ovidio said: ‘Christian is a hugely experienced music programmer and I am incredibly excited about the understanding, knowledge and passion for music that he will bring to the brilliant team here at Bauer.
“He joins Bauer Media Audio UK at a very exciting time as we evolve our products and platforms, attracting new audiences and enabling new ways to listen to all of our much-loved audio brands.’
Christian joins the business from Global where he works as a Senior Group Music Programmer, responsible for curating music policy across both the Capital Network and Radio X.
His previous experience also includes time at News UK, Virgin Radio and also at Bauer where he was previously Head of Music for the KISS Network.
Christian will be starting his new role in early 2025.

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Cambridge 105 Radio has announced it will change its name to Cambridge Radio from the 7th of December 2024.
The station says the move reflects developments in the radio sector that include the rise of radio listening online and growth in the popularity of podcasts.
Cambridge Radio will continue to broadcast on 105 FM along with online platforms.
The date has been chosen to coincide with Mill Road Winter Fair, one of Cambridge Radio’s major outside broadcasts of the year.
Dr Greg Butler, Director, Cambridge Radio said: “We’ve chosen 7 December as the date for the relaunch as we really wanted to share the occasion with Cambridge and there’s no better place than Mill Road Winter Fair.
“We’re looking forward to celebrating alongside some great Cambridge musicians playing live on our stage.”
Julian Clover, Editorial Lead, Cambridge Radio said: “Radio and how people listen is in a constant state of evolution, but whether you listen on a smart speaker, app or an old school portable Cambridge Radio will continue to serve the people of Cambridge and South Cambs.”

Radiodays Europe is happening in March 2025 – use code RTY25ATH to get a discount and join us in Athens! More..

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