UK

Gaydio has launched the third series of its travel podcast Gaydio In Europe, in partnership with British Airways’ Gatwick-based subsidiary BA Euroflyer.

Presented by Luis Wyatt and Helen Scott, with drag performer Yshee Black joining the team for the first time, the new series continues to explore LGBTQ+ friendly European destinations served by BA Euroflyer from Gatwick Airport.
Episode one features Porto, with upcoming episodes visiting Palma and Verona. The series highlights inclusive travel experiences, cultural attractions, and local voices from each destination.
The partnership forms part of a wider campaign across Gaydio, including on-air features, digital content, and a major listener competition to win Club Europe flights with BA Euroflyer. For the first time, the podcast will also host a live event in London where fans can be part of the finale recording.
Gaydio In Europe was named “Best Branded Series” at the Campaign Audio Advertising Awards earlier this year, with judges praising its strong targeting, authentic storytelling, and creativity.

Brett Harris, Gaydio’s Head of Partnerships and Marketing, said the collaboration celebrates destinations where LGBTQ+ travellers “can feel safe, seen and celebrated”, adding that the live finale marks “a huge elevation for the podcast”.
Nick Welsh, Head of Marketing at BA Euroflyer, said the partnership provides “a great opportunity for the Gaydio team to explore more contrasting destinations and shine the spotlight on their diverse LGBTQ+ communities”.
Listeners can stream or watch the first episode of the new series on the Gaydio app, via podcast platforms, or at gaydio.co.uk/gaydioineurope

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Ofcom has today introduced new guidance for broadcasters on how politicians can appear as presenters in programmes that include news content.

The updated guidance, which comes into effect immediately, clarifies the distinction between news and non-news programming and strengthens how impartiality rules apply when politicians are involved.
Ofcom has confirmed that Rule 5.3 of the Broadcasting Code — which prohibits politicians from presenting news — will remain unchanged.
Instead, the regulator has revised its guidance to make the relationship between this rule and the impartiality requirements under Rule 5.1 clearer and more relevant to the modern broadcasting landscape.
Under the new approach, Ofcom has updated its definition of a “politician” to include members of the House of Lords and representatives of political parties, while removing the previous reference to activists. It also clarified what counts as “exceptional circumstances” under which a politician could present news, saying these must be situations that are unforeseeable and beyond the broadcaster’s control.
Cristina Nicolotti Squires, Ofcom’s Group Director for Broadcasting, said: “We’ve listened carefully to the perspectives of audiences, broadcasters and other experts through our consultation. Our updated guidance provides the right protection for audiences, while also safeguarding freedom of expression and broadcasters’ editorial discretion to choose their presenting line up.”
The clarification follows Ofcom’s public consultation and a High Court ruling earlier this year in a case involving GB News. The court found that a programme cannot be both news and current affairs at the same time, and that Rule 5.3 only applies to politicians acting as newsreaders, interviewers or reporters in news programmes.
Ofcom said it will continue to review audience expectations and may carry out further research into how viewers and listeners perceive news and current affairs content on TV and radio.

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Voiceover artist and performer Elisa Canas has joined BBC Radio to present a brand-new Saturday Breakfast show across the Channel Islands.

Broadcast every Saturday from 6am to 10am, the pan-island programme airs on BBC Radio Jersey and BBC Radio Guernsey, marking Elisa’s first move into live radio after years of voice work for stations and commercials across the islands and beyond.
Before taking on the new role, Elisa was well known to Channel 103 and Island FM audiences as the station voice for Tindle Radio Group, alongside Dave Wartnaby.
Her return to local airwaves comes after a long career in voiceover, which saw her win Best Radio Commercial Performance at the One Voice Awards in 2021.
Elisa said: “As a Jersey girl, I’m so excited to have the opportunity to present my own radio show across the Channel Islands. I left Jersey at 13 to train professionally at the Sylvia Young Theatre School in London, where my voiceover career began. Now, more than 20 years later, I’m delighted that my path has led me home to extend my career into live radio with BBC Channel Islands.”
She described the move from studio voice work to live presenting as “a totally different beast”, adding that she loves the challenge and the chance to connect with listeners in real time.

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Ofcom has launched a consultation proposing new rules to guarantee access to UK radio via voice assistant platforms such as Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant.

The plans mark the next step in implementing listener safeguards following the Media Act passed last year, which aims to ensure that radio remains freely and reliably available on smart speakers.
Ofcom’s report recommends that Amazon, Google and Apple be designated by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy as “significant platforms for radio listening”.
This means their voice assistants would be required to meet specific obligations, including ensuring that stations requested by name play correctly, access is free of charge, and that no additional content such as unauthorised adverts is overlaid on broadcasts.
The regulator says the move is designed to protect radio’s role as a trusted and freely accessible service at a time when nearly a third of all listening now takes place online, with smart speakers accounting for 18 per cent of those hours.
Ofcom’s consultation runs until 11 December, and the final framework is expected to come into force in 2026.
Matt Payton, Chief Executive of Radiocentre, said: “Radio listeners must be able to access their favourite stations simply and reliably on voice activated devices like smart speakers.
“Ofcom’s recommendations are a welcome first step in putting this into practice and ensuring that radio can continue to reach audiences with its valuable mix of music, information and entertainment.”

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BBC Radio 3 has hired Edith Bowman as the new presenter of Sound of Cinema, its flagship programme celebrating film music.

Broadcast every Saturday at 4pm, Edith will explore classic and contemporary movie scores through interviews, themed selections and special features that highlight the emotional power of music on screen.
Her debut show on 1 November includes an exclusive conversation with Oscar-winning composer Rachel Portman, with future guests set to include Alan Silvestri, Dame Emma Thompson and Graham Norton.
Edith is widely known for her award-winning Soundtracking podcast, where she has spoken with leading filmmakers and composers such as Greta Gerwig, Martin Scorsese, Hans Zimmer and Mica Levi. She will continue the podcast alongside her new BBC Radio 3 role, and remains part of Radio 3 Unwind with Cinematic Soundtracks.
Edith said: “Film and music are two of my passions that I’m very lucky to enthuse about in my work. I’m excited to add Sound of Cinema to that, and to share so much incredible music with the audience.”
The programme will be produced by BBC Audio’s new production unit based in Northern Ireland and Scotland.

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More than 400 podcasting and audio companies across the UK have united to urge the government to recognise their sector as part of the UK’s Creative Industries.

The open letter, led by AudioUK and signed by producers, studios and networks representing around 12,000 people, calls for formal recognition of podcasting and audio as a stand-alone creative industry with access to the same support as other cultural sectors.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has now confirmed plans to commission a major research study to collect data on the UK’s podcasting and audio landscape, with results expected in 2026. The study will examine the industry’s size, workforce and economic impact, covering podcasting, radio and audiobooks.
AudioUK says this marks a significant step towards building the evidence needed for future policy change and targeted support. The organisation is also working with DCMS to create a dedicated SIC code to classify podcasting and audio companies, which currently sit under unrelated business categories.
Chloe Straw, Chief Executive of AudioUK, said the industry’s rapid expansion and cultural importance demand proper recognition. “Podcasting and audio have become central to how audiences experience storytelling, journalism and entertainment,” she said. “It creates jobs across the UK and brings British stories to international audiences. Despite this growth, government policy has not kept pace with its impact.”
Among the sector’s key requests are a seat for an audio representative on the Creative Industries Council, a dedicated tax relief scheme, and a new IP Development Fund to encourage innovation and exports.
AudioUK’s full open letter and campaign report, along with the list of signatories, are available at audiouk.org

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