Tag: Radio

£1 million up for grabs for listeners across Scotland

An incredible £1 million prize pot is up for grabs across Scotland and Forth 1 and Forth 2 listeners will have their chance to grab their share of the cash, as the hugely popular ‘Cash Register’ returns.

The contest, which is Scotland’s biggest radio competition, launched yesterday and runs every weekday on the Hits Radio and Greatest Hits Radio networks across Scotland*, including the likes of Forth 1, Forth 2, Clyde 1, Clyde 2, West FM and West Sound**.

The popular feature gives out life-changing sums of money to listeners and has been a favourite for a number of years, however, this time the prize pot has reached the £1 million mark.

Every weekday after 8am a new cash amount will be revealed on Boogie In The Morning on Forth 1 and on Ewen & Cat At Breakfast on Forth 2, and listeners can find out how to play. One lucky listener will then get the all-important call back from Garry Spence after 5pm for their chance to win by simply repeating the exact sum on-air.

Cash prizes will be given out across the network until the £1 million prize pot has been emptied. Afternoon presenter on Forth 1, Garry Spence, is looking forward to sharing the amazing amount of money with his listeners. He said: “Playing Cash Register with listeners is by far my favourite competition – it’s so simple to play yet can impact someone’s lives in a way that’s hard to imagine.

“The best part is telling people they have won – there is no greater feeling, and with £1 million to give away it’s going to feel even better. I know from speaking to listeners that the prizes on Cash Register can quite literally change people’s lives, and after such a challenging year, we all need these feel-good moments more than ever.”

To find out the daily amount and how to play, listen live to Boogie In The Morning on Forth 1 and Ewen & Cat In The Morning on Forth 2 every weekday morning from 6am, and to Afternoons with Garry Spence from 4 – 7pm for the winner ring back.

Keep up with all the latest news, sport, biggest hits and competitions across the Hits Radio and Greatest Hits Radio networks across Scotland on FM, AM, on DAB radio, online, via the station app and on your Smart Speaker.

*Cash Register is a text competition played across all of the Hits Radio & Greatest Hits networks in Scotland and full terms and conditions and online entry can be found at the station website.

**West Sound Dumfries is on FM (and not available on DAB). Northsound 2 is a digital station and not available on AM.

Boom Radio unveils presenter line-up ahead of February launch

  • New national radio station for Baby Boomers unveils launch line-up
  • Announcement comes ahead of station’s February 2021 launch

BOOM Radio, a new national radio station targeting the UK’s estimated 14 million Baby Boomers, has unveiled a line-up of familiar radio names ahead of going on air in February.

Several well-known radio personalities from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s will be heard, including a weekday breakfast show hosted by Graham Dene who woke up London for a generation, the familiar voice of David Hamilton from midday, Nicky Horne early evening and Diana Luke late at night.

The station’s schedule will be spiced by a soul show with Greg Edwards; appearances by ‘70s Magpie TV host Jenny Hanley; Kid Jensen; and Anna Raeburn returns with ‘Talk to Anna’, recreating the programmes she hosted generations ago – now targeting those same listeners who’ve grown into different life challenges.

Founded by radio heavyweights, Phil Riley and David Lloyd, Boom Radio is a new national station for Baby Boomers – the UK’s 50, 60 and 70-something population – who are hugely loyal radio consumers, yet arguably under-served by stations on offer.

With launch targeted for mid-February 2021, listeners can primarily expect a mix of ‘Boomer’ music favourites from across the decades, peppered with selected more contemporary hits, alongside conversation and company.

Roll-out starts on DAB in London, Portsmouth, Bristol, Birmingham and Glasgow, with additional locations to follow throughout 2021 and access available online from the outset.

Phil Riley said: “We’re extremely proud of what we’ve been able to put together for Boom Radio’s launch.

“With some legendary radio names back on-air, we’re really proving what the station is all about – that age isn’t a barrier to continuing to do what you love.”

David Lloyd added: “There is guaranteed to be at least one presenter whom each listener will relate to, with the line-up featuring names of Boomers of all ages from both commercial and BBC radio from across the UK.

“We’re also calling for feedback from Boomers everywhere – if you’ve got any ideas for music, presenters or shows, then do let us know by getting in contact via our website.”

The line-up includes:

  1. Graham Dene
  2. David Hamilton
  3. Nicky Horne
  4. Diana Luke
  5. Greg Edwards
  6. Jenny Hanley
  7. Kid Jensen
  8. Anna Raeburn
  9. Les Ross
  10. Andy Marriott
  11. Jane Markham
  12. Graham Torrington
  13. Roger Day
  14. Bill Bingham
  15. Rod Whiting

Further names will be announced later this month.

For more information or to provide feedback visit www.boomradiouk.com.

Sam Smith to perform exclusively for Clyde 1 and Forth 1

Here’s how to watch the exclusive performance on Monday 16th November, 4pm

Clyde 1 and Forth 1 are set to broadcast an exclusive session from multi-award-winning global star, Sam Smith on Monday 16th November.

Music fans will have a chance to catch Sam perform a selection of tracks and to listen to an exclusive interview in a special show hosted by Garry Spence from 4pm on Clyde 1 and Forth 1. They can also watch the exclusive performance online via the stations’ Facebook pages.

Speaking about the event Sam Smith said: “We are all trying to find new ways to be together remotely during these strange times, and I am so excited that I’m still able to perform and share a moment with all of you.

“I’m incredibly thankful to everyone who’s supported me and my music over the years. This performance is for all of you xx”

Garry Spence said: “We might not be able to bring you to Sam Smith, so we’re bringing Sam Smith to you. Sit back and enjoy an incredible performance and interview from one of the UK’s greatest. You won’t want to miss it!”

Sam Smith’s highly anticipated new album ‘Love Goes’ is out now.

For more information you can listen to Clyde 1 and Forth 1 on FM, DAB, online, via the station App and on your smart speaker.

Sam Smith’s performances will also be broadcast on MFR, Northsound 1, Tay FM, Radio Borders and West FM.

Scotland’s Greatest Song: Jackie Bird to chair judging panel

The judges who have selected the shortlist for ‘Scotland’s Greatest Song’ have been revealed ahead of the ten songs being unveiled on Monday 9 November.

The head judge was announced as Jackie Bird who was joined by singer and actress, Clare Grogan as well as journalist and presenter, Gordon Smart and Aarti Joshi of DF Concerts.

After hours of debate, discussion and even the odd disagreement the quartet have selected the ten songs which the public will be able to vote on from Sunday 15th November to be named as ‘Scotland’s Greatest Song’.

The winner will be announced by Ewen Cameron across the Greatest Hits Network Scotland including Forth 2, Clyde 2 and Tay 2 on St. Andrew’s Day.

The search was launched to celebrate the country’s musical heritage and head judge Jackie Bird found it tougher than expected to narrow it down to ten.

She said: “It is such a pleasure – and a pressure – to be part of the momentous challenge that is finding Scotland’s Greatest Song.

“The judges put their hearts and souls into whittling down a long list of classics to reach our top ten.  With so many fabulous songs to choose from and so many people rooting for their much-loved favourites it rightly became a huge and very serious debate.  I’m so glad it’s the listeners who will make the final decision.”

Clare Grogan added: “Ultimately I have loved this torturous experience! Getting to re-listen to these amazing songs and artists has been joyful and my goodness we were spoilt for choice.

“So many incredibly talented and influential musicians that Scotland continuously produces and so proud to be part of this with my fellow judges. I’ve never enjoyed fighting with people more!”

Victoria Easton-Riley, content director at Greatest Hits Radio Scotland, said: “We know that our Greatest Hits Radio Scotland listeners are as passionate about Scottish music and artists as our presenters across the network and we were delighted to have the opportunity to be part of this exciting initiative from Audio Frontier.

“Many hours are happily spent debating the relative merits of different songs and artists and I’m sure that there will be a wide range of views and opinions as to what should be on the shortlist!

“I’m looking forward to the shortlist being announced and to find out who our listeners and the general public select as ‘Scotland’s Greatest Song’.”

The project is the brainchild of Glasgow-based audio specialists Audio Frontier, which has won a funding bid for the programmes through the UK Government’s Audio Content Fund.

John McInally, of Audio Frontier, said: “Audio Frontier are delighted to work alongside the Greatest Hits Network and the Audio Content Fund to help find Scotland’s Greatest Song.

“The team of judges we have assembled, know their music inside out and I’m just glad we could pass the buck on to them to finalise the ten songs that the country has to vote for.”

On Monday 9th November a podcast launches to reveal the 10 songs shortlisted and how the judges came to the final ten. Ewen Cameron will also join the debate about the shortlist on the same day on his breakfast show ‘Ewen Cameron In The Morning’ from 6am.

On Sunday 15th November from 4pm to 7pm the judges will also come together for a special one-off show across the Greatest Hits stations in Scotland. Hosted by head judge, Jackie Bird, she will be joined by her three fellow judges to discuss their shortlist, how they came to their decisions and to play the final ten.

You can listen on AM*, online, on DAB radio, via the station app or on your Smart Speaker.

*West Sound Dumfries is on FM (and not available on DAB). Northsound 2 is a digital station and not available on AM.

FORTH 1 to launch ‘The Big Saturday Football Show’

Forth 1 has announced the launch of ‘The Big Saturday Football Show’ with Ewen Cameron and Steven Mill next Saturday (17th October ).

Well-known football fan, Ewen Cameron will be hosting the show with Steven Mill who is also a self-confessed sports nut and the show from 2pm to 6pm will feature a mix of music, sport and entertainment every Saturday afternoon.

Ewen said: “Sport and broadcasting are my two big passions so to be able to bring them together in ‘The Big Saturday Football Show’ is brilliant.

“What could be better than a Saturday afternoon of football, music and chat with Steven and the listeners who will inevitably have their own opinions about my expert analysis!”

Steven Mill joined Forth 1 in July 2019 and is delighted to have the opportunity co-host a show where he can talk about his favourite subject.

Steven said: “I spend hours of my life watching and discussing football so it is brilliant to have a show where we can do that while playing some of our favourite music and entertaining our listeners.

“The capital city has the great rivalry between Hearts and Hibs as well as an unrivalled passion for rugby and I am sure the show will be a great success.”

Victoria Easton-Riley, Content Director, Hits Radio Network in Scotland, said: “Sport is so important in Scotland and discussing and debating the merits and failings of our teams is a national pastime.

“We have seen the success of Superscoreboard for many years and are confident that the new show with the experience, knowledge and chat of Ewen and Steven will be just as popular.”

The refreshed weekend line-up will also include Stuart Webster on a Saturday playing the biggest hits and throwbacks from 12 noon to 2pm.

‘The Big Saturday Football Show’ will launch on Saturday 17th October at 2pm and you can listen on FM, DAB, online, via the station App or on your Smart Speaker.

The new Saturday line-up on Forth 1:

6am – 9am         GRANT THOMSON                                     

9am – 12pm       BOOGIE & ARLENE         

12pm – 2pm       WEBSTER

2pm – 6pm        THE BIG SATURDAY FOOTBALL SHOW (STEVEN MILL & EWEN CAMERON)

6pm – 10pm      GARRY SPENCE’S SATURDAY NIGHT ANTHEMS

10pm – 1am      CALLUM GALLACHER     

Sunday:

6am – 9am         GAVIN PEARSON

9am – 12pm       EWEN & CAT

12pm – 4pm       MICKY GAVIN

4pm – 7pm        THE UK CHART SHOW                                                       

7pm – 10pm      THE THROWBACK WITH GREIGSY                                          

10pm – 1am      HITS CHILLED WITH MEG MCHUGH

Forth 1 announces Pride events

Pride Throwback Weekend from Friday 28th August to Sunday 30th August

Pride events may have been cancelled across the country this year but Clyde 1 and Forth 1 are ensuring that the celebrations can still go on with a Pride Throwback Weekend across Scotland.

The event – sponsored by global law firm, CMS Scotland – will be held from Friday 28th August to Sunday 30th August 2020 on Clyde 1 and Forth 1 and right across the Hits Radio Network in Scotland.

The event will also include Sunday Pride which will see Micky Gavin and Grant Thomson hosting a show on Sunday 30th Aug across the whole of the Hits Radio network in Scotland* from 12 noon to 4pm.

The show will feature iconic Pride artists including the likes of Lady Gaga, Years & Years, Kylie and Dua Lipa

Scottish listeners will also be asked to share their own Pride stories via WhatsApp on 07557 887113.

The popular presenters will also launch ‘Pride: Scotland’s March for Equality’, a series of three podcasts where they talk about their experiences growing up gay in Scotland, talk to some amazing people from the LGBT+ community, and learn about the history, and future, of Pride in Scotland.

A new LGBTQ+ dedicated station, Hits Radio Pride, is also launching on Friday 28th August 2020. The pop-up station will play a vibrant playlist of some of the biggest hits and throwbacks.

In partnership with The Co-operative Bank and working with LGBT+ helpline Switchboard, the new station will be a fresh and unique destination where the LGBTQ+ community, advocates and allies can feel connected, safe and empowered to be themselves

The station will initially be available in Scotland online, on mobile apps and on smart speakers.

Victoria Easton-Riley, Content Director, Hits Radio Network in Scotland, said: “We have been a proud supporter of Pride for many years and remain committed to promoting diversity and inclusion.

“COVID-19 has obviously impacted on many of the planned events and we thought it was more important than ever that our listeners could celebrate Pride.

“We are planning Scotland’s biggest Pride party with our Throwback Weekend as well as the launch of Micky and Grant’s brilliant new podcast series.”

The Pride Throwback Weekend will be broadcast across Clyde 1, Forth 1 and the Hits Radio Network in Scotland from Friday 28th August to Sunday 30th August 2020.

You can listen on FM, DAB, online, via the station Apps or on your Smart Speaker.

*The Hits Radio Network in Scotland includes Clyde 1, Forth 1, MFR, Northsound 1, TAY FM, Radio Borders & West FM.

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.

A message from Cat Harvey

I’m Cat Harvey and I wanted to write and let you know that from Monday 27th April, I am hosting a brand new show in association with the Scottish Government all about YOU!

Join me three times a day, morning afternoon and evening, where we will look at different ways of taking care of ourselves and our loved ones as we continue to spend more time at home.

So what would you like to hear about? Would you like some top tips on setting a routine, clearing your head, moving more or learning how to properly switch off? What about home schooling, cooking, gardening or how to get Granny on Houseparty? Let me know what YOU want to know… and I’ll do my best to find some answers.

I would also love to hear and share your uplifting stories through these tricky times: it could be a neighbour who has been an absolute star, a community pulling together, family fun, businesses going above and beyond or essential workers making you proud from your posties to care workers and teachers and all those in the food supply chain.

Get in touch and share your story with me and I’ll share as many as I can across the nation.

Catch-up with Cat, on-air from Monday in association with the Scottish Government – be part of it on the Forth 1 website.

CATCH-UP WITH CAT HERE

 

Radio Forth reports an increase in listener numbers

Cash Register has proved to be a real winner at both ends of the M8 with Radio Clyde and Radio Forth reporting an increase in total listener numbers, according to the latest RAJAR results.

The popular competition has helped Radio Clyde and Radio Forth to increase their dominance across the Central Belt with combined listener numbers reaching 1,009,000, keeping it over the magical million number.

This is an increase of 6,000 from the previous quarter and is a result of the combination of engaging competitions, great music, relevant content and popular presenters.

Radio Forth has seen an increase with the combined figures for Forth 1 and Forth 2 reaching 352,000 every week.

Forth 1’s Boogie In The Morning enjoyed a significant increase with 229,000 listeners tuning in every week, up 13,000 from the previous quarter. The popular show achieved its highest audience share in six years and now has a fantastic 22.2% share of all breakfast radio listeners across the East of Scotland.

Radio Clyde has enjoyed continued growth, now reaching a total of 664,000 listeners across Glasgow and the West every week. The hugely successful Bowie At Breakfast now has an incredible 351,000 waking up to it every week. At the other end of the day, Clyde 1’s Superscoreboard weeknight show also scored very strong results with 200,000 listeners every week.

Graham Bryce, Managing Director of Bauer Radio in Scotland, said: “We are very proud to be continuing to grow our share of listeners across Scotland and in the Central Belt in particular.

“This is the result of the hard work of the whole team and their commitment to providing engaging content with a great mix of music, entertainment and local news, travel and sport.

“Our competitions and promotions have been a huge success and this has been led by Cash Register on Clyde 1 and Forth 1 which has seen almost a third of our listeners in Scotland taking part. Cash Register has been one of the most successful radio competitions ever to run in Scotland, with 6.7 million entries and a massive £2.3 million given away in prize money to 75 winners.

“We’ve given away truly life changing sums of money – our most recent winner, Matthew from Gorebridge, who was awarded over £60,000, the biggest prize to date.

“We have exciting plans for the future of Cash Register so listeners can expect an announcement imminently.”

Source: RAJAR / Ipsos – MORI / RSMB, period Q3 2019 (24th June 2019 – 15th September 2019).

Some stations do not cover the whole of the TSA (total survey area).

**RAJAR Q3 2019 FIGURES IN DETAIL:

Total Clyde (1 & 2) listeners: 664,000 listeners

Clyde 1 listeners: 601,000 listeners

Clyde 2 listeners: 154,000 listeners

Total Forth (1 & 2) listeners: 352,000 listeners 

Forth 1 listeners: 327,000

Forth 2 listeners: 52,000

Combined total Clyde & Forth listeners: 1,009,000

Radio Clyde and Forth celebrate reaching over ONE MILLION LISTENERS every week

Radio Clyde and Forth are celebrating as latest combined listening figures* reveal the leading stations are now reaching over one million listeners** every week.

This would see listeners filling both Hampden Park and BT Murrayfield (which have a combined capacity of 119,010) more than eight times! Continue reading Radio Clyde and Forth celebrate reaching over ONE MILLION LISTENERS every week