UK

Media Minister Stephanie Peacock will table amendments to the Community Radio Order in Parliament later today which will relax advertising restrictions.

This will allow community stations to raise more than the current limit of £15,000 a year from advertising and sponsorship, to be reinvested to improve content.
These changes, which follow a public consultation, will come into effect in April 2025. They will also extend stations’ licences for a further 10 years to reduce the admin costs of reapplying, which previously had to be done every five years.
Media Minister Stephanie Peacock said: “Community radio has a valuable role on our airwaves, producing truly local content that keeps people connected, engaged and entertained.
“We want to ensure growth in community radio stations across the country by providing them with greater stability and financial flexibility. It will mean they can continue doing what they do best – whether that’s delivering language specific programming or offering training opportunities to young people interested in a radio career.
“This is a clear signal that this government has community radio’s back and we want it to grow and thrive for years to come.”
Community Media Association Chair Terry Lee said: “The Community Media Association welcomes the amendments to the Community Radio Order as a significant milestone in the evolution of community radio in the UK.
“By extending FM licenses to 10 years and ending advertising and sponsorship limits for most stations, these changes will provide greater financial sustainability and reduce administrative burdens for our members.
“As the voice of community radio since 1983, we remain committed to ensuring these vital, not-for-profit, and volunteer-led stations continue to thrive in serving their communities. We look forward to working with the Government to build on this progress and secure an even brighter future for community radio.”
UK Community Radio Network Co-Founder Martin Steers said: “The UK Community Radio Network welcomes any measures by the Government to relax regulation on Community Radio, and especially welcome the move to extend licences even further allowing established Community Radio stations to continue to do the fantastic work serving their communities across the country.”

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

#mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width: 600px;}
/* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.
We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ […]

A Gavin and Stacey Takeover of the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show will be presented by Ruth Jones and James Corden live on Monday 23rd December.

James and Ruth were guests on Zoe Ball’s show this morning where they revealed the news. They’ll be joined on the Takeover by fellow cast members from the series including Joanna Page, Mat Horne, Rob Brydon, Alison Steadman, Larry Lamb and Rob Wilfort – ahead of the final episode which will air on BBC One and iPlayer on Christmas Day.
Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2 says: “This one-time-only Gavin and Stacey Takeover of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show is going to be such a special festive treat for us all, ahead of the must-see broadcast of final ever episode on Christmas Day.
“I can’t wait to welcome Ruth, James and their brilliant co-stars to the station, to spread some Christmas magic to Radio 2 listeners!”

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

#mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width: 600px;}
/* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.
We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ […]

Crispin Hunt has been elected new President of the PRS Members’ Council, taking on this new role from 1st January 2025.
Hunt is a songwriter and producer, having worked with songwriters including Florence and The Machine, Lana Del Ray, Maverick Sabre, Rod Stewart, Luke Sital Singh and more.
He has been a Writer Director on the PRS Members’ Council since 2019 and previously served for six years as Chair of the UK’s Ivors Academy and is a former Director and Co-CEO of the Featured Artists Coalition (FAC).
As President, Crispin will serve as an advocate and voice for PRS for Music’s community of songwriters, composers, and music publishers continuing to foster strong connections between music creators, the Members’ Council, and the wider PRS team.
Crispin said: “I am honoured to have been elected as PRS’s President by our Members’ Council. I look forward to serving and supporting our community with all my heart, insight, and energy as we unite to navigate the future of Music, uphold its human value, and empower our songs, scores, syncs, and symphonies through this exciting time for collective and creative rights. My heartfelt thanks to Michelle Escoffery for being such an inspirational act to follow.”
He succeeds Michelle Escoffery, the inaugural President, who says:“Congratulations to Crispin on his new appointment. Over these last four years, I’ve been honoured to see firsthand how PRS members are leading the charge – adapting, connecting and driving change in ways that will define our industry for generations to come. Crispin is a proud advocate of music creators, and I wish him every success in this new role.
“As PRS moves forward under his tenure, I am confident that our creative and professional community will continue to innovate, inspire, and define the next era of music – together.”

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

#mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width: 600px;}
/* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.
We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ […]

Nation has surrendered two FM licences in Scotland and will give up two transmitters in Wales.
In Scotland, 103FM and 106.9FM, which carried Nation Radio Scotland for Helensburgh and Dumbarton, have been given back to Ofcom.
Those frequencies started life as Castle Rock FM and later carried YOUR Radio.
In Wales, Radio Pembrokeshire’s relays in Tenby and Fishguard on 107.5FM will be turned off around the middle of 2025, leaving the station with its main transmitter on 102.5FM which already covers most of the areas in question.
According to Ofcom’s analysis, the population coverage reach (adults 15+) of the existing service is 107,382. By removing the two transmitter sites at Tenby and Fishguard, the population reach who would still be able to receive the service would drop to 98,303, reducing the coverage of the service by 8.5%.
Requesting the change, Nation says there is a continuing trend of declining analogue listening and it expects its DAB listening to overtake analogue within the next licensed period.
Nation submitted a range of commercial impacts linked to declining local revenues, declining audiences and increasing costs. Information was provided to Ofcom which highlighted the range of cost increases across a number of areas, which the Licensee has been considering in the context of maintaining the existing transmitter network.
Further, the proposal highlighted that in order to maintain the current levels of service, the existing transmitter network would need to be updated or replaced, which would require immediate capital expenditure on behalf of the Licensee.
The surrendering of smaller FM licences which duplicate DAB areas for radio stations is on the increase across Europe, and RadioToday understands this trend will continue over the next few years here in the UK.

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

#mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width: 600px;}
/* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.
We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ […]

A partnership between Greatest Hits Radio and the Dogs Trust charity means a new dog feature has been introduced during Ken Bruce’s morning show.
Starting today, the campaign – Ken Bruce’s Underdogs – will be helping to find dogs currently in the care of Dogs Trust their forever homes.
In the brand-new feature on his show, Ken will be shining a spotlight on an ‘Underdog of the Month’ who is available for adoption.
Ken Bruce said: “It was an absolute pleasure to be able to spend some time with Rocky and his friends at the Dogs Trust rehoming centre on my recent visit. As the adopter of several rescue dogs myself, I know just what an unbelievably rewarding and life affirming thing it can be – for both owner and dog.
“I am hopeful that this fantastic new partnership between Greatest Hits Radio and Dogs Trust will result in many more dogs finding their forever homes with loving families.”
As well as the Underdog of the Month feature, Greatest Hits Radio listeners will also be able to access advice on their pet from the experts at Dogs Trust including training and behaviour tips and practical guidance on being a responsible dog owner.
And throughout 2025 other Greatest Hits Radio presenters will be visiting Dogs Trust rehoming centres across the UK as the station aims to find as many homes as possible.
Owen Sharp, CEO of Dogs Trust said, “We are delighted to have the support of Ken and Greatest Hits Radio for this exciting partnership. Every year, we receive thousands of requests for people thinking about giving up their dog and we are currently have over 1,600 dogs in our care, 400 of which we class as Underdogs – dogs who have been in our care for over six months.
“By sharing the stories of our Underdogs, we are hoping that even more of these dogs will find their forever home.”

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

#mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width: 600px;}
/* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.
We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ […]

The annual Christmas Charity Appeal radio auction on Channel 103 has raised more than £60,000 to help disadvantaged families in Jersey.

Islanders bid on more than 200 lots during a five-hour live broadcast on the Jersey radio station.
The auction raised £52,059, while Pledge Your Wedge, through which people are asked to give a donation in exchange for the chance to win a holiday, raised a further £6,200.
“Once again the generosity of listeners in Jersey has been amazing,” said Fiona Walker (pictured), who co-hosted the live show with Channel 103 Breakfast presenter Peter Mac and BBC Radio Jersey afternoon presenter Darcy Kelly.
One of this year’s star lots was a VIP Tour and Tea of Government House in Jersey which raised an incredible £10,000.
The money raised by the appeal goes to improve Christmas for 1,500 disadvantaged individuals or families in Jersey each year, supplying 250 hampers, 1,250 food vouchers, 1,300 fuel vouchers and 1,000 young persons’ gift vouchers.

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

#mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width: 600px;}
/* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.
We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ […]