UK

The National Union of Journalists has reiterated its concern over the BBC’s proposals to launch two new digital radio stations including an extension to BBC Radio 2.

In July, the union welcomed Ofcom’s delay of the spin-off station, recognising it could have an adverse impact on competition.
However, revised plans have been referred again to Ofcom, following approval by the broadcaster’s board. The BBC states it has redeveloped plans considering consultation responses but alarmingly, denies cuts to local services have taken place.
The NUJ strongly refutes this claim, noting a third of the BBC’s uniquely local output has been curtailed.
The NUJ’s ‘Keep BBC Local Radio Local’ campaign attracted cross-parliamentary support and wide-ranging audiences stressed the importance of relevant and accessible news and entertainment through local radio.
The union believes funding by licence-fee payers should be focused on producing creative, unique content that cannot be easily replicated by commercial outlets. New music based services proposed follow a decimation of BBC local radio stations, resulting in job losses and limited resources for remaining journalists.
The union is therefore unclear how the BBC will implement plans to work in partnership with local radio stations when teams have been so heavily reduced in brutal cuts.
The BBC aims to attract an older audience in the radio station spin-off, with a commitment to playing a range of music from the 50s to 70s, but the union believes the target audience can be found among listeners of local radio, where attention must be redirected.
Laura Davison, NUJ National Organiser, said: “Journalists are still feeling the effects of drastic cuts to local radio made by the BBC, and the pursuit of new stations despite concerns raised on their value for money will come as a surprise to our members. In its revised plans the BBC says the changes to its English Local Radio services were not cuts but a rebalancing of resource from radio to online. Digital content cannot replicate the unique relationship radio has with local audiences and we urge a reversal of proposals and an end to obfuscation about the clear cuts to local radio that have taken place.
“We have not been engaged in consultation on the creation of any jobs under these new proposals and have unanswered questions about why the BBC is seeking to pursue this plan in the face of opposition. The company should instead focus its attention on investment in local radio stations valued by communities.”

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Prime Minister Keir Starmer has backed Mission Christmas saying that families and children will have a ‘better Christmas because of it.’

Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio reporter Olivia Davies on a recent visit to North Wales, the Labour leader when asked about Mission Christmas said: ‘Campaigns such as Mission Christmas are so important – and I’d like to thank everyone involved in it not just this year but every year.
“There will be lots of families and children in particular who will have a better Christmas, a brilliant Christmas, because of it.’
Mission Christmas is supported by Bauer radio stations including Hits Radio, Greatest Hits Radio, Magic Radio and Absolute Radio.
In 2023 Mission Christmas collected over £17.4 million (£17,414,065) in gifts and cash donations, which were used to make sure that 290,604 children and young people had presents to open on Christmas Day.
Cash for Kids works with thousands of grass-root organisations across the UK who support disadvantaged children. Throughout the Mission Christmas campaign, these organisations along with social workers, head teachers and the emergency services nominate families in crisis to be supported by the appeal, highlighting their age, gender and any special needs.
See more at cashforkids.org.uk.

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Radio News Hub has hired Ricky Durkin as Head of Content and Dave McMullan as News Editor.
Former Programme Director at Real Radio Yorkshire and Heart Yorkshire Ricky Durkin will join the team in January from BFBS Radio.
Dave McMullan will join in November as News Editor. He has most recently been running the newsroom at BBC Asian Sounds, and prior to that produced the Radio 4 Today Programme as well as roles at Sky News and GMG.
Ricky Durkin said: “I’ve followed Radio News Hub since the very beginning, and it’s grown into an exciting, dynamic company. I’m really looking forward to getting stuck in; being part of the team and helping it to grow even more!”
Dave McMullan said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining Radio News Hub at such an exciting time in its growth. With its new state of the art premises in Leeds, it’s got an ambitious team of journalists eager to tell stories and explain a complicated world to a diverse group of stations worldwide.
“It couldn’t be a better time to return to my first love, commercial radio.”
RNH Directors Stephanie Otty and Jamie Fletcher said: “Ricky and Dave bring a wealth of experience to the team and their appointment is reflective of our growth ambitions. We cannot wait to have them both on board.”
The timing of the new appointments follows the opening of the new Sassy+ studio space in the centre of Leeds.
On June 1st this year, Sassy Create, RNH and Through the I came together to form Sassy+. With offices in London, Elstree and Leeds, the company employs more than 80 members of staff.
Sassy+’s partnership portfolio includes Audible, LinkedIn, ABB, Aston Martin, JLR, Disney, Universal, Paramount Pictures, TikTok, Boots and more.

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Anyone who worked for Radio Tees or TFM are invited to join in a reunion to mark the 50th anniversary since the service launched.

Radio Tees started on 257 in 1975 and turns 50 next year.
Dave Roberts and Richard Kell are organising the event on Friday 27th June 2025 at 6pm at Leonardo Hotel in Middlesbrough.
They write: “Join us for a blast from the past at the Leonardo Hotel Middlesbrough as we celebrate half a century of memories, music, and good times.
“Get ready to reconnect with old friends, and make new memories that will last another 50 years.
“Don’t miss out on this special event filled with laughter, nostalgia, and maybe a few surprises along the way. See you there!
“Ticket price includes buffet and there’s also the chance to book rooms at a discounted rate with details coming soon. Please note this event is for past Staff of Radio Tees / TFM on Teesside and partners are welcome.”
Grab your tickets from tfm257.co.uk.

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Global has appointed Shahlaa Tahira as the new Director of Industry Partnerships and Careers at the Global Academy.
Shahlaa started her broadcasting career at CapitalXtra in 2012 and says she is happy to be back at the company.
She told RadioToday: “Taking this position at the Global Academy is an extremely exciting opportunity.
“I have spent the last 12 years producing content for young hard to reach audiences and knowing that I am their bridge into the media industry fills me with joy.
“These 16-19 year olds are extremely talented and I can’t wait for the industry to see what they bring to the table.”
Her Executive Producer credits include BBC Pop, Global and Bauer, plus branded content such as Primark, Pampers, 4 Music, The Roundhouse, Reprezent, Rinse FM and more.
After co-hosting BBC Radio 1Xtra Talks a few years ago, she released season three of Badass Mums the Podcast (23) and is in pre production for Season 4 of ‘Love Yours, An Experimental Podcast’ which just received an international commission from India’s KuKu FM.
Shahlaa is also a qualified (PGCE) Media Teacher and often runs Seminars, Workshops and appears on Panels.

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Radiocentre is urging Ofcom to use its powers to reject BBC plans to launch new music radio stations on DAB.
Commercial radio broadcasters are concerned that the planned spin-off stations on DAB+ and online (Radio 1 Dance, Radio 1 Anthems, Radio 3 Unwind and a Radio 2 nostalgia service) will largely imitate existing commercial stations, provide limited value for audiences and could put some commercial services out of business.
The BBC’s detailed proposals were published today following an initial consultation, or Public Interest Test, overseen by the BBC itself.
As part of this the BBC concluded that the impact on competition is acceptable and that the new services would ultimately be distinctive. The proposals will now be reviewed by Ofcom as the BBC’s external regulator.
Radiocentre submitted evidence to the BBC’s consultation earlier this year that highlights how the BBC’s proposals:

Are not perceived as distinctive by potential listeners
Could significantly impact commercial radio listening and, in turn, reduce industry advertising revenues by 10% (around £71m pa) and make some services loss-making
May ultimately force commercial radio stations to close, reducing choice for listeners

Radiocentre points out that the BBC remains the biggest single player in the UK audio market and receives significant licence fee funding. As a result, it is required to demonstrate that its proposals deliver public value to audiences and do not have a significant adverse impact on competition.
Matt Payton, Radiocentre CEO said: “The BBC’s proposals for new spin-off radio stations should be rejected by Ofcom. They are still largely an imitation of existing commercial services and appear to provide little in the way of distinctive content.
“Should the new stations be given a green light they would clearly have a material impact on advertising revenues and affect the viability of some stations.
“The process so far has consisted mainly of the BBC marking its own homework. We now look forward to working with Ofcom on an independent assessment of these proposed changes, where we will continue to highlight the negative effect on audiences and competition.”
In reaction, the BBC told us: “Over the past eight months, the BBC has been running an extensive engagement process with the audio and music industry.
“The BBC has conducted robust market and audience analysis and modelling, with the approach to these agreed with Ofcom. As a result, many of the comments and findings have been incorporated into the final plans.”
Lorna Clarke, BBC Director of Music says: “We have received a wide range of feedback and reflected much of it in our plans, including significantly redeveloping our proposal for the Radio 2 extension to increase its editorial distinctiveness. Our music extensions allow us to support new music, showcase British talent, resurface performances from the BBC’s unrivalled archive, and help audiences discover a greater breadth and range of music than what’s available on the market.
“The continued growth of commercial radio and the global streamers have shown there’s room for multiple ways to bring genres and decades to life for audiences. Our plans are unique, with context, curation and storytelling done in a way only the BBC can do, meeting the evolving expectations of audiences and providing more choice to licence fee payers.”
Boom Radio, which runs a service similar to the proposed BBC Radio 2 extension, is also against the move.

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