Tag: broadcasting

Fresh new line-ups revealed for Heart Scotland and Capital Scotland

  • It’s a battle for breakfast as TWO new shows launch on Heart Scotland and Capital Scotland.
  • Des Clarke is Back on Breakfast, and Tallia cooks up a storm for Capital!

Next month listeners to Heart Scotland and Capital Scotland will be waking up to a brand new schedule and exciting new voices – live from Scotland – seven days a week.

Heart Scotland and Capital Scotland yesterday (11 April) revealed all-star line-ups and fresh new shows. Both Heart Scotland and Capital Scotland will broadcast live from Global’s Glasgow Broadcast Centre on West Regent Street in the heart of the city from next month (May).

On Heart Scotland there will be a brand-new breakfast show, Heart Breakfast with Des Clarke & Jennifer Reoch, which will broadcast live weekday mornings, 6.30am to 10am. The move sees Des Clarke return to breakfast radio in Scotland, having most recently been entertaining audiences on Heart Drive. Des is no stranger to the early alarm clock, having previously hosted Breakfast for 13 years on Capital, Galaxy and Beat 106.

Meanwhile going head-to-head with Heart Breakfast is Capital Scotland’s brand-new breakfast show hosted by Fat Brestovci & Tallia Storm, 6am to 10am. Singer and social media star Tallia Storm has signed her first radio presenting gig, and joins broadcaster Fat to wake up Scotland every morning.

Heart Scotland’s New Schedule – Live from Glasgow!

In addition to the breakfast show there is a fresh new schedule across the whole day for Heart Scotland which also sees broadcaster Amy Irons joining to present a new mid-morning programme, live from Glasgow 10am to 1pm. Cat Cubie also joins to present a new afternoon show.

The new Heart Scotland Drive programme – 4pm to 7pm – will be presented by leading Scottish broadcaster David Farrell, who joins from BBC Scotland. At the weekend, Grace Nicoll will present a new afternoon show 12 noon to 4pm.

Capital Scotland’s Brand New Schedule – Live From Glasgow!

Alongside the fresh new sound of Capital Breakfast with Fat Brestovci & Tallia Storm, Robyn Richford joins to host mid-mornings 10am to 1pm, Ryan Borthwick presents the new afternoon show 1pm through to 4pm and Katy J stays at the helm of Capital Scotland Drive, 4pm to 7pm. At the weekend, exciting new talent Jonny Campbell completes the Capital Scotland line-up 9am to 12 noon. 

This is part of a major investment in Scotland, with an expansion of Global’s broadcast centre in Glasgow including a new creative hub that will produce live radio, visualised content and podcasts for Global Player, as well as housing Global’s Scotland Tech Hub.

Ashley Tabor-King OBE, Founder & Executive President of Global, said: “I’m delighted that we are bringing listeners more choice with shows coming live from Glasgow, hosted by a combination of our much-loved presenters and exciting new talent.

“What’s more, the broadcast centre will be significantly upgraded to become a creative hub in Scotland, with fully visualised studios and a production centre for creating podcast, social and digital content.”

James Rea, Director of Broadcasting & Content at Global, said: “This is an amazing team of presenters with brilliant personalities and these changes will make what we do even more relevant to the lives of audiences in Scotland.

“It’s great to see Des Clarke return to breakfast radio alongside Jennifer Reoch on Heart and I’m certain Fat and Tallia Storm will bring great energy to the Capital team.”

Capital Scotland is owned and operated under a brand licence by Communicorp UK. Mark Lee, Communicorp UK’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “Our new Scottish talent will bring new and exciting content within an already fantastic station.

“Combined with the best hit music from the Capital brand, our place as the Official Radio Partner of the OVO Hydro, and our existing relationships within live music, it will further cement our position as Scotland’s Number 1 Hit Music Station.”

The new line-ups for Heart Scotland and Capital Scotland* will be available on FM and DAB, across the central belt alongside Heart UK and Capital UK on DAB. Listeners will also be able to tune-in from anywhere on Global’s entertainment app, Global Player, via smart phone or smart speaker.

BBC Radio 4’s Today programme to be guest edited by listeners

The Today programme is inviting its listeners to edit editions of Today to mark 20 years of its guest editors

BBC Radio 4’s Today is looking for communities of listeners from across the UK to get together in teams and submit their ideas for special editions of the programme, set to be broadcast in the summer.

Those wanting to take part are being invited to submit as a group an idea for their programme, along with an outline as to why they would make good guest editors.

Owenna Griffiths, editor of the Today programme, says: “For 20 years the guest editors have brought original ideas and a wide range of perspectives to the Today programme.

“This summer, we are asking listeners to take control. You might be part of a book club, a local sports team or decide to form a group with the people you work with or live nearby. Whatever forms the basis of your community, we want to hear how you would edit Today.”

The successful guest editors will be chosen by the Today editorial team, who will also seek the advice of a selection of former guest editors, as part of the process.

Each of the chosen teams will have the support of Today producers, who will commission radio pieces and interviews, to bring their ideas to air and make sure they adhere to the BBC’s editorial guidelines.

Every year the BBC Radio 4’s Today invites a series of high profile guest editors to design a show around what they’re most interested in. Over the last 20 years the guest editors have included Prince Harry, Angelina Jolie, Raheem Sterling, Jarvis Cocker and many others.

Dame Prue Leith who guest edited Today in 2020 says: “My advice to anyone wanting to guest edit the Today programme is to tell them one thing you would really love to do and have never done.”

Dame Prue asked the Today team to arrange a singing lesson, which was then broadcast, and says she found the experience “terrific”.

It’s not the first time Today has been guest edited by its listeners. In 2007 a group from Dyfed Powys Police took the editorial reins.

Guest editors usually provide ideas and inspiration and are responsible for between a third and a half of their programme’s output.

The listener guest edited programmes will be broadcast in August and will be in addition to Today’s usual Christmas guest editors, which will be announced later this year.

Applications can be submitted online at bbc.co.uk/today

Terms and Privacy notice also available online.

Applications for submissions opened at 08:00 on 13th March 2023 and will close at 23:59 on 31st March 2023.

Match of the Day to go ahead without presenters or pundits tonight

PRESENTERS AND COMMENTATORS SHOW SUPPORT FOR GARY LINEKER

BBC’s flagship football show Match of the Day will air tonight without a studio presenter, pundits, or its regular commentators, after the BBC told Gary Lineker to step back in a row over impartiality.

The BBC said it it had asked Lineker to step back from presenting after “extensive discussions” with him following the presnter’s criticism of government asylum policy on Twitter, where he compared the language used by the government to unveil its new plans as “not dissimilar to” 1930s Germany.

A BBC spokesperson said: “The BBC has been in extensive discussions with Gary and his team in recent days. We have said that we consider his recent social media activity to be a breach of our guidelines.

“The BBC has decided that he will step back from presenting Match of the Day until we’ve got an agreed and clear position on his use of social media.

“When it comes to leading our football and sports coverage, Gary is second to none. We have never said that Gary should be an opinion free zone, or that he can’t have a view on issues that matter to him, but we have said that he should keep well away from taking sides on party political issues or political controversies.”

Gary Lineker has made no further public comment.

BFBS Scotland expands service onto DAB 

BFBS is a military charity and media organisation that entertains, informs, connects and champions the UK Armed Forces.  

BFBS Scotland is now available on DAB in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Glencorse, adding to the existing FM services across the regions.  

BFBS Scotland presenters Jim Gellatly and Mark McKenzie host the live breakfast and afternoon shows weekdays from 6.30-10am and 1-4pm, bringing listeners local news, chat, music, and the latest global military stories in hourly news bulletins.   

The DAB service also broadcasts BFBS’s worldwide network programmes, connecting audiences in Scotland with news and stories from the forces community across the UK and overseas. 

Simon Monk, Deputy Director Radio & Live Events, said: “The expansion of our services in Scotland gives our listeners the chance to stay connected with the forces world when they’re moving around the country, giving audiences more flexibility in ways to listen to our music, features and defence news, whether they’re out and about, at work, or at home.”   

BFBS Scotland is also available online, on the BFBS Radio app for iPhone and Android, and on smart speakers. Connect @BFBSScotland, scotland@bfbs.com or on 0131 310 2898.   

FM frequencies: Edinburgh, 98.5, Fort George and Inverness 87.7, and Glencorse 94.0  

Forth 1 & 2 celebrate record listener figures

The latest RAJAR figures reveal that 331,000 listeners across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife & Falkirk tune into Forth 1 every single week. That would fill BT Murrayfield nearly five times over!

In Q4 2022, this impressive number helped Forth 1 reach its highest share of the East of Scotland audience for 10 years – with 18.9% of all radio listening choosing Forth 1 every week*. Forth 2 also enjoyed a great set of results with its highest reach in four years, attracting an audience of 74,000*.

Recently published RAJAR results also highlight impressive figures for sister stations, Clyde 1 & 2, MFR and Tay FM. MFR has similarly seen an increase in listeners, reaching 119,000 every week whilst Tay FM becomes an all-radio market leader for the first time in a decade, with a 16.4% share of all radio across Tayside & Fife. 

MFR’s Jodie At Breakfast has also had a great set of results with an increase of reach from 67k to 78.5k year on year.

Victoria Easton-Riley, Content Director for the Hits & Greatest Hits Networks across Scotland, said: “Given the challenging times that so many are experiencing, we’re proud that our stations are a trusted source and attracting some of our strongest audience figures to date, with many listeners tuning in for longer than ever before.

“I’d like to say a huge thank you to all our teams across all our stations who work so hard everyday to bring content to our listeners, that not only informs them date but also makes them sing, dance, laugh and cry.

“It is going to be a very exciting year across Scotland for all of our stations. Not only are eight joining the Greatest Hits Radio family on 3 April, but on the same day we welcome radio legend Ken Bruce and the iconic PopMaster too.”

Ken Bruce to join Greatest Hits Radio

GOING FORTH: The broadcasting legend will be on air with a new show on the station formerly known as Forth 2 from April 3rd 

The UK’s most popular radio host, Ken Bruce, is joining the team at Greatest Hits Radio across Scotland and the rest of the UK as part of the stations launch this April. 

Forth 2, which will rebrand to Greatest Hits Radio Edinburgh, The Lothians, Fife & Falkirk, will launch with the iconic radio presenter. 

The Glaswegian presenter will be following in the footsteps of other legendary broadcasters when he becomes part of the Greatest Hits Radio family, with a brand-new mid-morning show from 10am – 1pm. Ken will kickstart a weekday line up that also includes presenters Simon Mayo at Drivetime and Jackie Brambles in the early evening.  

Ken, who began his broadcasting career working on hospital radio in Glasgow back in the early 1970’s and has become a radio icon, will now be joining Ewen and Cat and Stuart Webster who will be on presenting to the nation every weekday in the new line-up. Broadcaster Fred MacAulay will also be on air every Sunday.  

Playing the biggest songs of the 70s, 80s and 90s, Greatest Hits Radio is a station that celebrates the good times across Scotland and the rest of the UK. With music from the most iconic artists of all time, including Blondie, Queen, George Michael, Madonna, Fleetwood Mac, David Bowie, Elton John and Whitney Houston, it is home to presenters including Ewen Cameron, Cat Harvey, Fred MacAulay and Stuart Webster who will be on at between 1-4pm. 

Ken Bruce said: ‘I can’t wait to launch my new show on Greatest Hits Radio across Scotland and the rest of the UK.

“From beginning in hospital radio in Glasgow, to now launching a new show on Scotland’s first nationwide commercial radio station, it has been a 45-year journey I could have never of dreamed of as a young boy.’ 

Ben Cooper, Chief Content & Music Officer, Bauer Audio UK said: “Ken Bruce is a broadcasting legend, with the biggest radio show in the UK, so as well as today being an exciting announcement for Greatest Hits Radio and its growing audience, it is a hugely significant moment for the industry.

“What a fantastic start to a great year of increased ambition and innovation for Bauer Media Audio.”  

This announcement follows last week’s news that Greatest Hits Radio will become Scotland’s first national commercial radio station as Forth 2, Clyde 2, MFR 2, Northsound 2, Tay 2, West Sound in Ayrshire, and West Sound in Dumfries & Galloway all rebrand to Greatest Hits Radio on the same April 3rd date. 

You can listen to Greatest Hits Radio on DAB digital radio*, on your smart speaker, mobile device or online at greatesthitsradio.co.uk.  

Forth 1 celebrates highest listener share in nine years!

Over 300,000 people across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife & Falkirk tune into Forth 1 Boogie In The Morning remains the biggest breakfast show across the East

Forth 1, Edinburgh and the East of Scotland’s favourite radio station has seen its audience share grow to a nine year high with it now having a fantastic 18.6% share of all radio listening across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife & Falkirk.

315,000* people are tuning into Forth 1 every week.

Boogie In The Morning continues to dominate all breakfast radio listening across the East with a staggering 22.2% share.

Across Scotland, all of Bauer Media’s Hits & Greatest Hits stations have reason to celebrate as the total amount of listeners for the Hits Brands across Scotland has increased to an amazing 1,670,000** listeners every week, up 65,000 on the quarter.

Forth 2 and the Greatest Hits Network in Scotland has had a fantastic set of results too.

The Greatest Hits Network across Scotland has its highest ever reach – 372,000! (the highest reach in 9 years since it became the Greatest Hits Network across Scotland).

Sister station Clyde 1 also achieved it best result in 18 years and over three quarters of a million people tune into Clyde 1 & 2 every week.

Victoria Easton-Riley, Content Director for Scotland, said: “We’re absolutely delighted with this set of record breaking RAJAR results for our stations. It’s a testament to the incredible work by all our stations and all our presenters and staff across the summer months.

“Forth on the Fringe and the Forth Awards are just two of the massive events our teams have put on for our listeners this year as well as covering the biggest music festivals in the country including TRSNMT, Rewind Festival, Party At The Palace and Belladrum.

“We also have so much to look forward to as well with The Night Afore Disco Party  being hosted live by Forth 1 with special performances from Sophie Ellis Bextor and Altered Images.

“I think a special mention and thank you must also go to our incredible news teams across Scotland who covered the Queen’s passing at Balmoral with such sensitivity and professionalism.”

Firefighter joins Edinburgh’s newest radio station

Edge Radio, a new radio station that hit the airwaves on DAB in Edinburgh this month, has announced the latest member to its team of presenters. Brad Yule, an on call firefighter, will be swapping his fire uniform for a radio microphone Monday – Friday, 10.00 – 14.00 to bring the city current and upbeat tunes perfect for summertime listening.

Brad, has been juggling his radio career with the fire service since he started on the airwaves in 2014, when he joined Central FM before going onto present for Capital FM. Brad got involved in the fire service when he was young, starting at the fire cadets with Central Scotland Fife & Rescue Service, before joining Scottish Fire & Rescue Service as an on call firefighter in 2017 whilst working with Capital.

Brad wanted to use his free time during the week and help his local community with on call cover, should support be needed. Most recently, Brad helped in the issues created from the heatwave across Edinburgh and the surrounding area, being out at fires for over 70 hours in one week, whilst also starting his new show at Edge Radio.

Edge Radio is backed by veteran DJ Jay Crawford. Jay has used all his experience as the former programme director at Real, Smooth and Rock Radio to bring in a team of presenters together including radio pros such as Mark Martin who worked at Real Radio and Forth One, Jill McLaren who used to co-present the Breakfast Show on Forth One and now Brad Yule who worked on Capital Radio.

Claire Kinnaird who worked at Forth 1 and was also a breakfast presenter on Tay FM has also joined the team, and Matt Shields who worked as presenter on Kingdom FM and other Bauer radio stations.

The team also includes exciting young talent including Matthew Paige, Johnny Togneri, Meghan McKee and Chrissy Meechan. Edge Radio is committed to spending time on training and development, especially when it comes to nurturing upcoming talent.

Edge Radio started 18 months ago by Mark Martin and Matt Shields before Jay Crawford, who was one of the original DJs on Radio Forth when it first launched in 1975, came on board and used all his 47 years’ experience from Radio Forth & Radio Clyde and as an award-winning Programme Controller at Real Radio to get Edge Radio to the point of launching on DAB digital radio.

Muckle Media. Edge Radio, June 2022. © Malcolm Cochrane Photography +44 (0)7971 835 065 mail@malcolmcochrane.co.uk No syndication No reproduction without permission

On joining Edge Radio, Brad commented: “It’s really exciting to be joining a brand-new station in Edinburgh, and I feel so lucky to be working alongside a brilliant team of experienced radio professionals and new talent.

“Alongside hosting my show, I’m pleased to be carrying on in my role as an on call firefighter helping as needed, as the recent heatwave showed, the work we do is incredibly important.”

Jay Crawford added: “it’s great to have Brad join the Edge Radio team, he’s incredibly experienced and I’m sure his show is going to be a hit.

“We were more than happy help Brad continue in his role as an on call firefighter, recently helping with the problems caused from the heatwave.”

Listen to Edge Radio on your smart speaker, DAB radio, or https://www.edgeradio.co.uk/.

Hits Radio Network’s Ewen & Cat set for Sunday Morning Snooze!

After six years presenting on Sunday morning breakfast together, Ewen and Cat will be handing over their early Sunday mornings to their mate Greigsy in trade for a well-deserved lie-in.

The popular duo announced today that their last weekend show together will take place on the 7th November before handing over the reins of the Clyde 1 and Forth 1 (and across Scotland on the Hits Radio Network) Sunday breakfast show to Greigsy who currently hosts the weekday 10am to 1pm show.

Ewen and Cat will continue to entertain the nation across the Greatest Hits Network on weekdays 6-10am on ‘Ewen & Cat At Breakfast’.

The award-winning pair were reunited on weekday breakfast earlier this year, and although they have loved the past six years on Sunday breakfast together, are looking forward to hitting the snooze button and enjoying a leisurely weekend while still getting up to their usual mischief during the week.

On top of his weekday 10am to 1pm show, Greigsy will be tackling the early rises on Sundays from 14th November, taking calls from listeners, sharing some of their best weekend stories and of course playing the biggest hits and biggest throwbacks to soundtrack our Sunday mornings.

Ewen said: “Cat and I loved spending a Sunday morning together with our listeners, we had such a laugh every week.

“I’ve got be honest though, it’s going to be great getting a bit of a lie in on Sunday for the first time in six years!”

Cat, who recently became an Amazon Books bestseller with her ‘Cat’s Out The Bag’ biography, added: “After a cracking six years hosting ‘Ewen & Cat at Breakfast’ every Sunday, I’m really looking forward to sitting in my PJ’s on a Sunday morning listening to Greigsy.

“I will miss our legendary ‘Sunday Buffets’ though!”

Greigsy said: “Ewen and Cat are legends of radio, and they have left some big shoes to fill, but I’m really looking forward to Sunday morning’s with our brilliant listeners and having a laugh along the way.” 

Victoria Easton-Riley, Content Director for Scotland, said: “Ewen and Cat have done a brilliant job of keeping us all tuned in and laughing six days a week, for a while now. I’m glad to see them finally pass on their Sunday morning microphones to Greigsy, so they can get a well-earned weekend rest.

“I’m really looking forward to hearing Greigsy bring his fantastic energy, content and music from his weekday show to Sunday mornings.”

Full Sunday line-up on the Hits Radio Network, Scotland, from Sunday the 14th of November:

6am-9am                                 Gavin Pearson

9am-12noon                           Greigsy

12noon-4pm                            Gregor & Lynsey (Cassi Clyde 1 only)

4pm-7pm                                 UK Chart Show

7pm-10pm                               The Throwback with Micky Gavin

10pm-1am                               Hits Chilled with Meg McHugh

Listeners can tune in to Ewen & Cat At Breakfast every weekday across the Greatest Hits Network between 6-10am on AM**, on DAB, online, via the station App or on a Smart Speaker.

Listen to Greigsy on the Hits Radio Network between 9am-12noon every Sunday (& weekdays 10am-1pm) on FM, DAB, online, via the App or on a Smart Speaker.

The Amazon Books bestseller, ‘Cat’s Out The Bag’ by Cat Harvey, gives readers a glimpse into the life of times of the popular radio presenter and journalist and is currently available at Waterstones (Amazon have sold out!).

Find out more: https://planetradio.co.uk/clyde/entertainment/books/cat-out-the-bag-the-book/

*Hits Radio Network includes Clyde 1, Forth 1, MFR, Northsound 1, Tay FM & West FM.

**Northsound 2 is a digital only station, West Sound Dumfries is on FM not AM, West Sound Dumfries is not available on DAB.

Greatest Hits Radio network includes Clyde 2, Forth 2, MFR 2, Northsound 2, Tay 2, West Sound Ayrshire and West Sound Dumfries.

BBC Sounds announces record listening figures during lockdown

Grounded with Louis Theroux was the most popular podcast during a record period between April-June 2020, which saw 313 million plays of all content on BBC Sounds across radio, podcasts and music mixes.

  • Other top podcasts include That Peter Crouch Podcast, The Coronavirus Newscast, Match of the Day: Top 10 and Fortunately with… Fi and Jane
  • Podcasts which attract a higher proportion of under 35 listeners include Mandemic, The Gemma Collins Podcast, James Acaster’s Perfect Sounds and Scarlett Moffatt Wants to Believe with 6 Degrees from Jamie and Spencer topping the list
  • The huge popularity of Normal People was reflected in audio too – it was the Normal People series which put our TV companion podcast Obsessed With… into the top ten and Normal People The Soundtrack was one of our most listened to music mixes too
  • BBC Sounds saw a huge 1.4m increase – double previous quarter – in music mix plays with Radio 1’s Big Weekend UK 2020 and Glastonbury keeping listeners entertained at home during what should have been festival season

New data for Q2 2020 shows an average audience of 3.4 million weekly users across the app, website and voice activated devices. There was a record 136 million plays of on-demand radio programmes and podcasts in this quarter, up 13 million on last quarter, and 2.7 million plays of music mixes, a 1.4m increase and over double the previous quarter.

Many listen to our radio stations on BBC Sounds with 55 percent of overall plays and 65 percent of all listening hours being for live content on BBC Sounds.

Jonathan Wall, Controller of BBC Sounds, says: “The extraordinary circumstances of these months during lockdown and the disruption to people’s lives is reflected in these latest figures and the most popular content.

“I’m really glad we’ve been able to give listeners some real treats to enjoy such as Louis Theroux’s brilliant first podcast, hours and hours of Glastonbury and Big Weekend sets and more ways for fans to indulge in drama hits such as Normal People.” 

On-Demand Radio Programmes

As with the previous quarter, Radio 1’s Dance Anthems continued to be the most popular on-demand radio programme with under 35s with BBC Radio 1 Anthems, Elis James and John Robins and Desert Island Discs also on the list. 

The Archers topped the chart for all audiences overall.

This quarter, 1Xtra’s Snoochie Shy comes out on top with the highest proportion of under 35 listeners for on-demand radio programmes.

Music Mixes 

During Q2 there were 2.7 million plays of music mixes on BBC Sounds, over double the amount of plays compared to the previous quarter. Sounds of the 90s with Fearne Cotton came out on top during this period, while Radio 1’s Big Weekend and Glastonbury were second and third on the list with their ‘at home festival’ experience attracting many listeners.

Podcasts 

Grounded with Louis Theroux was the most listened to podcast this quarter, proving popular with listeners as the documentary giant tried his hand at podcasting by interviewing the likes of Helena Bonham Carter, Lenny Henry, Boy George, KSI and Miriam Margolyes. 

Other new titles that launched during this quarter/at the end of last that are amongst some of the most popular include: Match of the Day: Top 10, Bitch Bitch Bitch with Matt Lucas and Homeschool History.

That Peter Crouch Podcast and Match of the Day: Top 10 are first and second most listened to podcasts for under 35s.

Continuing titles that remain huge hits for all adults and for under 35s include You’re Dead to Me, Tailenders and Evil Genius with Russell Kane.

The TV companion series Obsessed With… continued to be popular, with the majority of listeners this quarter enjoying the Normal People podcast – demonstrating with both the success of Normal People The Soundtrack and Obsessed With… Normal People podcast on BBC Sounds, people couldn’t get enough of the hit series this summer.

BBC podcasts and radio programmes on other platforms

In total there were over 240 million global podcast downloads across the world during this quarter, an increase in 10 million from last quarter.

The Global News Podcast (BBC World Service), The Documentary Podcast (BBC World Service) and In Our Time (Radio 4) continue to be the most popular three titles.