Media UK > Radio > B > 107 The Bee - news archive

107 The Bee - news archive

This is an archive of news about 107 The Bee. Some links may no longer work, due to the transient nature of the internet.

Radio is Easier than TV: Laura Ingraham Raw Video
From radio.about.com. Posted July 19 2008, 7.15am
A montage clip of raw video featuring radio talk show host Laura Ingraham during the course of her short "This Just In" stint on Fox News has been posted and... (more)

Dmitry Kisilyov promoted to post of Deputy Director of Russia?s VGTRK
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 18 2008, 4.49pm
Popular Russian television anchor Dmitry Kisilyov has been appointed Chief of the Information Service and Deputy Director of VGTRK television and radio broadcasting holding, its press service told Tass today. Dmitry Kisilyov will supervise the information service of the entire holding, including Vesti, Vesti- 24, Vesti Regions news programmes and Radio Rossiya and Mayak radio, the [...] (more)

Tanzanian minister outlines plans to improve reception of national broadcaster
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 17 2008, 11.45am
The Tanzanian Minister of Information, Culture and Sports, George Mkuchika, explained in parliament several measures the government has taken to improve services of the Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC). He told the National Assembly that the government has decided to buy new FM broadcasting equipment. Such equipment, the minister said, has already been installed in some of the regions [...] (more)

Radio 2 listeners love Jacko
From Radio Today. Posted July 17 2008, 8.23am
Michael Jackson has come out on top of a music survey, voted for by listeners to BBC Radio 2. Billie Jean has been voted the greatest dance record of all time. (more)

WorldSpace relaunches as 1worldspace
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 16 2008, 12.45pm
WorldSpace, which has been in serious financial difficulties, has relaunced as 1worldspace.  The company is rolling out a new website, though some of the links are still to pages on the old website. All the overseas offices have been re-named, but the regional websites still bear the old name and logo. Related story: Is it all over [...] (more)

Serle gets Bauer promotion
From Radio Today. Posted July 16 2008, 12.22am
Former Hallam FM sales director and Kerrang! 105.2 managing director Adrian Serle has been appointed to the newly-created post of commercial development director for Bauer Consumer Media.He will still keep some responsibility for Bauer Radio whilst taking on a whole new range of departments. (more)

Roy Greenslade: Newspapers should have been made to pay more for libelling Robert Murat
From Media Guardian. Posted July 15 2008, 6.00pm
Roy Greenslade: Eleven newspapers libelled Robert Murat. Unfortunately, it will take more than a £50,000 penalty to deter them in future (more)

Lawson heads for Golden Square
From Radio Today. Posted July 15 2008, 11.09am
Bauer Consumer Media's digital marketing director Chris Lawson has been appointed as brand director at One Golden Square, ready for the re-launch of Virgin Radio in the Autumn.Chris will report to newly installed chief operating officer Clive Dickens, and be responsible for developing both the new brand and the digital business. (more)

Mercury nostalgia supplement axed to beef up main paper
From Press Gazette. Posted July 15 2008, 12.00am
The Leicester Mercury has axed its monthly nostalgic supplement and will be redirecting resources from it to the daily newspaper.. (more)

Mercury nostalgia supplement axed to beef up paper
From Press Gazette. Posted July 15 2008, 12.00am
The Leicester Mercury has axed its monthly nostalgic supplement and will be redirecting resources from it to the daily newspaper.. (more)

Journey to common European digital radio begins
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 12 2008, 2.54pm
For many decades, European radio listeners using one of the analogue systems broadcast in the FM and AM frequency bands have been able to buy and use their radio receivers, in their home or car, anywhere in Europe. With the transition to digital broadcasting, this comfortable situation will change, unless action is taken.  Digital technology will [...] (more)

Media Talk podcast: The Beeb's annual report, and Global Radio job cuts
From Media Guardian. Posted July 11 2008, 8.35am
The panel discuss the BBC's latest annual report and some scandalous executive pay. Plus, Global Radio swings its axe. Christopher Meyer prepares to leave the PCC. And the season finale of Doctor Who. With Robert Freeman, Janine Gibson, Paul Robinson and Gareth McLean (more)

New drivetime duo for Rock FM
From Radio Today. Posted July 10 2008, 9.35pm
Arqiva Newcomers of the Year winners Hywel Evans and Jamie Atherton have been given a new daily drive-time show on Bauer Radio's Lancashire station Rock FM. (more)

Fashion RSL for London
From Radio Today. Posted July 9 2008, 9.27pm
An RSL licence has been granted by Ofcom to cover the SHOWstudio Fashion DJs event in central London till July 12th, with Somethin' Else commissioned to produce the station. (more)

South African public invited to comment on amendments to Broadcasting Act
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 9 2008, 10.14am
The public in South Africa has been invited to comment on the Draft Committee Bill which seeks to amend the Broadcasting Act. The Portfolio Committee on Communications has urged all interested parties to submit written submissions on the draft document by 25 July 2008. The purpose of the Bill is to provide for the removal of a [...] (more)

C4 and Red Bee confirm outsourcing plans
From Digital Spy. Posted July 9 2008, 9.32am
Channel 4 finalises a deal to outsource a large proportion of its broadcast operations. (more)

BBC Trust questions future of digital radio in annual report
From Media Guardian. Posted July 8 2008, 3.00pm
The 'long-term viability' of digital radio has been questioned by the BBC Trust, which said that digital-only stations had "yet to make a breakthrough". By Ben Dowell (more)

WRN Moscow mediumwave relay now running 24 hours a day
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 8 2008, 2.44pm
WRN has announced that, as of 28 June, its Moscow AM station on 738 kHz has been extended to continuous 24 hours a day operation. Vsemyrniya Radioset, which translates as World Radio Network, broadcasts the best Russian language news and feature programmes from the most respected international radio broadcasters, alongside local content from Russian broadcasters.  Previously the station [...] (more)

Dutch Media Authority relaxes rules for Restricted Service licences
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 7 2008, 10.49am
The Dutch Media Authority has relaxed the rules for the issuing of Restricted Service FM licences, which have hitherto been restriced to short-term licences for specific events. Under the new regulations, licences can be issued for up to one year, and can be renewed annually. That will permit the operation of permanent low-power stations supporting the activities of [...] (more)

Article 19 releases analysis of draft Media Bills for Southern Sudan
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 5 2008, 12.13pm
Human Rights organisation Article 19 has released its analysis of the revised package of four draft Media Bills proposed for Southern Sudan. Article 19 says the draft Bills largely conform to international standards, but has identified areas for further improvement to the drafts. Article 19 has been working closely with the Ministry for Information and Broadcasting for the [...] (more)

Burmese Junta nobbles shortwave radios donated by China
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 5 2008, 11.53am
The Democratic Voice of Burma reveals that the military authorities disabled the tuning systems on 2000 shortwave radios donated  by China as part of the emergency aid after Cyclone Nargis. The authorities then distributed the radios in the Irrawaddy Delta and sent photos back to the Chinese to prove that they had been distributed. But [...] (more)

Burmese Junta hobbles shortwave radios donated by China
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 5 2008, 11.53am
The Democratic Voice of Burma reveals that the military authorities disabled the tuning systems on 2000 shortwave radios donated by China as part of the emergency aid after Cyclone Nargis. The authorities then distributed the radios in the Irrawaddy Delta and sent photos back to the Chinese to prove that they had been distributed. But [...] (more)

China launches first Croatian-language website
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 3 2008, 5.27pm
Text of report in English by Croatian state news agency HINA ZAGREB, July 3 (Hina) - The Chinese Embassy in Zagreb and China Radio International (CRI), the state-run radio network that has been broadcasting programmes in 48 languages for over 60 years, in Zagreb on Wednesday presented the Chinese government’s first Internet site in the Croatian [...] (more)

KCR to relaunch as The Edge
From Radio Today. Posted July 3 2008, 1.46pm
Merseyside station KCR 106.7 has been bought by a consortium headed by group chairman and presenter Jon Jessop.The purchase means another end to the name KCR, as the station will re-launch as 106.7 The Edge later this year. (more)

Brief Return to talk107 Airwaves for Graham
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted July 3 2008, 7.28am
Listeners to the Edinburgh-based all speech radio station, talk107, could have been forgiven for not believing their ears on Tuesday evening. They thought he was gone for good, but no. Back, to stir things up, was former programme director and morning host, Mike Graham - but neither as a... (more)

AIRCOM Signs Network Planning Tool Deal with O2
From Press Release, via webitpr. Posted July 2 2008, 11.39am
July 2nd, 2008, Leatherhead, UK ? Independent network planning and optimisation consultancy, AIRCOM International, has been selected by O2 in the UK to supply ASSET, the worlds number one radio network planning and optimisation tool, from AIRCOM?s ENTERPRISE tool suite. AIRCOM was selected after winning O2?s highly competitive RFQ, which was issued to the industry?s leading radio planning tool vendors. O2 required a planning tool solution that was both scalable and flexible enough to support... (more)

Student wins Gary Frisch Bursary
From Radio Today. Posted July 2 2008, 10.42am
A student from Leeds has been awarded the Gary Frisch Bursary 2008 for his web development work at Leeds Student Radio station, LSR FM. (more)

BBC Radio 4 Airs Lost Beatles Tape
From radio.about.com. Posted July 2 2008, 7.34am
Natalie Finn at eonline.com reports: "A 1964 interview with the Fab Four that was only broadcast once has been discovered in a South London garage, where it had been tucked... (more)

Swedish government IT consultant calls DAB+ ?old-fashioned?
From Media Network Weblog. Posted June 30 2008, 10.02am
Last week, Sweden’s Radio and TV Authority express its preference for the latest digital radio version of DAB+ to the government. DAB+ is a more efficient version of DAB, a standard which has been in use in Sweden for over a decade, but with very few listeners. The last government was sceptical and ordered the report which has [...] (more)

Bring on the Festive fun
From Radio Today. Posted June 30 2008, 9.57am
The Radio Festival is without doubt the highlight of the radio industry year, with almost three days of debates, presentations, receptions, lectures, panels, workshops, drinking, eating and avoiding people you’ve sacked, or, been sacked by. (more)

Peter Preston: People like chronicles of small beer more than the Daily Moan
From Media Guardian. Posted June 28 2008, 11.08pm
Peter Preston: Don't take any old survey off the shelf. Take a brand new one commissioned by the Newspaper Society for consumption by newspaper editors, advertisers and readers. Then smile, darn you, smile. (more)

UK regulator to undertake first ever UK-wide radio spectrum monitoring
From Media Network Weblog. Posted June 28 2008, 4.16pm
CRFS (Cambridge Radio Frequency Services), a developer and manufacturer of innovative real-time spectral analysis tools, has been selected by Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, to undertake one of the most detailed spectrum mapping projects ever conducted in the UK. The project will enable Ofcom to begin to build a detailed picture of radio spectrum use [...] (more)

Tim Davie to replace Abramsky
From Radio Today. Posted June 27 2008, 1.51pm
Tim Davie has been appointed Director of BBC Audio & Music, replacing Jenny Abramsky, who is leaving the BBC after 39 years. Tim is currently director of the BBC's Marketing, Communications and Audiences division and sits on the BBC executive board. (more)

Beijing plans trial Wi-Fi Internet access for Olympics
From Media Network Weblog. Posted June 27 2008, 11.47am
The first phase of Beijing’s wireless city programme has been put into operation enabling citizens and travelers to access the Internet in Beijing’s urban areas via a wireless network, reports the Chinatechnews.com website. So far Wi-Fi signals cover a total of 100 square kilometres of the city and extend out to its second ring road, [...] (more)

Galloway to replace Davis for Real
From Radio Today. Posted June 27 2008, 8.25am
The long running Real Album Chart with Gary Davis has been dropped from the Real Radio and Century Radio schedules to make way for a new Sunday afternoon show with Real Radio Scotland’s breakfast presenter Robin Galloway. (more)

Senior BBC Asian accuses of it being "too ethnic"
From Biz Asia. Posted June 26 2008, 8.05pm
A senior Asian figure within the BBC has accused the corporation of placing too many ethnic minorities across its channels. Samir Shah, a member of the BBC's board of directors, said this had led to a "world of deracinated coloured people flickering across our screens - to the irritation of many viewers and the embarrassment of the very people such actions are meant to appease". Shah who formerly headed the BBC's current affairs now runs an independent production company, Juniper. He said the politically correct approached embarrassed minority viewers and added the selection policy was creating an "inauthentic representation of who we are". He pointed to the casting of the Ferreira family in 'EastEnders' as an example. "If you were to cast an Asian family in the East End, it should have been Bangladeshi. Instead we had a family of Goan descent," Shah said. "The plain fact is that this tick-box approach to equal opportunities has led to an inauthentic representation of who we are: a world of deracinated coloured people flickering across our screens - to the irritation of many viewers and the embarrassment of the very people such actions are meant to appease." He added if he had a "magic wand", he would "make it incumbent on every major broadcaster and producer in the UK that, within five years, they need to demonstrate that their team of executives with real power over airtime or commissioning budgets come from a variety of different backgrounds, life experiences and ethnicity". Shah said that if the UK TV industry did not change, then further regulation might force reform upon it. (more)

GCap hit with record £1.1m Ofcom fine over Secret Sound competition
From Media Guardian. Posted June 26 2008, 3.58pm
GCap Media has been fined a record £1.11m by communications regulator Ofcom for running a radio competition that listeners had no chance of winning. By John Plunkett (more)

GCap fine record £1.1m by Ofcom for phone-in scam
From The Times. Posted June 26 2008, 11.57am
GCap, the commercial radio group behind Capital 95.8 and Classic FM, has been fined a record £1.1 million by Ofcom, the media regulator, for manipulating phone-in quizes to stop prizes from being won too quickly. (more)

GCap hit with £1.1m fine - Ofcom's biggest to a radio firm
From Media Guardian. Posted June 26 2008, 10.31am
GCap Media has been fined a record £1.11m by Ofcom for running a competition that listeners had no chance of winning. By John Plunkett (more)

Tales from the Studio: Callers from Hell
From radio.about.com. Posted June 26 2008, 1.00am
My day job is actually doing a morning radio show and it's been a while since I wrote an article with a really "inside" perspective. So, I decided to talk... (more)

Turkish president approves law for non-Turkish broadcasts
From Media Network Weblog. Posted June 25 2008, 3.00pm
A draft enabling the state-run Turkish Radio and Television Corp (TRT) to broadcast in different languages and dialects other than Turkish, has been approved by Turkish President Abdullah Gul. Under the law, TRT will also be able to employ foreigners.          The law allows the national public broadcaster of Turkey to sign contracts, agreements or protocols with other [...] (more)

Council supports new local broadcaster in Hilversum
From Media Network Weblog. Posted June 25 2008, 2.14pm
The new local broadcaster in Hilversum, which will replace the current Omroep Hilversum later this year, can count on substantial financial support from the town council.  The council’s media advisor has recommended increasing the annual subsidy for the local broadcaster from the current €158,000 to €250,000.  No decision has yet been reached, but the council has agreed to [...] (more)

PURE launches a Mini ONE
From Radio Today. Posted June 24 2008, 9.26pm
A new mini DAB and FM portable radio has been launched by PURE Digital. The ONE Mini is, as you'd expect, a smaller version of the popular PURE ONE radio set. (more)

UK radio to go completely digital by 2020
From Biz Asia. Posted June 24 2008, 3.18pm
UK radio services should be migrated on to digital audio broadcasting (DAB) by 2020, according to the Digital Radio Working Group's (DRWG) interim report. The government-backed industry panel recommended the establishment of a timetable for the migration of all UK radio from analogue to digital and said that this should be completed between 2015 and 2020. However, in the medium term, the group recommends migrating all national, regional and large local stations to Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB), with FM continuing to be used by small local and community radio stations. The DRWG does not recommend setting a date for the switchover to digital radio now. Instead, it recommends a timetable for migration is set out, which is dependent on progress against the agreed criteria. The group's initial assessment is that migration could be completed by 2020. Chairman of the DRWG Barry Cox said: "At the end of May this year, sales of DAB sets exceeded seven million. We believe radio must have a digital future and that this will benefit both listeners and industry. Audiences will be able to enjoy increased functionality and more choice of channels, while the industry will no longer have to sustain the increased transmission costs of broadcasting on multiple platforms. "If these benefits are to be achieved, then action must be taken to address the significant challenges which threaten the future growth of the market. There is a great deal to be done to address these issues, and I hope that this interim report will stimulate debate on how to achieve a digital future." The group, set up in November 2007, has been looking at the barriers to the growth of digital radio and the conditions needed to allow digital platforms to become the main means of delivering radio. As part of its work, four sub-groups were set up to consider issues such as the mechanisms for growth, technology, coverage and European harmonisation. Related links: RAJAR: Digital radio listening continues to grow Asian radio industry gives DAB backing EXCLUSIVE: ZEE Radio launch details emerge Asian FX confirmed for West Midlands DAB launch Two new radio stations launch on Midlands DAB Club Asia to offer podcasts via 4 Digital Group Sunrise Radio to go national after new licence win BBC Asian Network to launch two free podcasts (more)

Jingle company changes hands
From Radio Today. Posted June 24 2008, 8.10am
Jones Media Group, the parent company of Dallas-based jingle company JonesTM, which has many UK clients, has been bought by Triton Media Group. (more)

Polly Toynbee: The miserablists need a politics they can believe in
From Media Guardian. Posted June 23 2008, 11.46pm
Polly Toynbee: The number one culprit in fostering gloom is the media, but politicians meanwhile give us little to be optimistic about (more)

Digital Radio review welcomed
From Radio Today. Posted June 23 2008, 7.30pm
The Digital Working Group's Interim Report on DAB and Digital Radio has been welcomed by the Digital Radio Development Bureau and the commercial radio body, RadioCentre.The report is working towards a date in the future, possibly the year 2020 when all radio in the UK will be delivered via a digital platform such as DAB. (more)

RTÉ digital radio available online
From Media Network Weblog. Posted June 23 2008, 5.03pm
Ireland’s public btoadcaster RTÉ has made its trial digital radio stations available to listen to nationwide on the RTÉ website at www.rte.ie/radio.  Digital radio has been on trial since March 2007 in the Greater Dublin and North East coast area. It has also been on trial in Cork and Limerick since last March. Now it [...] (more)

One Network break rules twice
From Radio Today. Posted June 23 2008, 10.51am
GWR Bristol have fallen foul of Ofcom due of the antics of a potty mouthed rabbit. The regulators found the station in breach of broadcasting code over an Easter promotion in which the Easter Bunny uses the phrase "fat motherf**kers".Meanwhile Mercia FM has also been found in breach for undue promotion of a local car dealership during programming time. (more)

Rocker wins a year of beer
From Radio Today. Posted June 23 2008, 8.30am
A listener to 106.1 Rock Radio in Manchester has won free beer for a year, brewed to his own individual recipe. The prize was part of a father's day promotion by the GMG station. (more)

Fortitude: Mark Damazer on what it takes to run the BBC's flagship radio network
From The Independent. Posted June 23 2008, 12.00am
Mark Thompson, the director-general of the BBC, ducks whenever he claps eyes on Mark Damazer. It's Thompson's black humour, a reference to the fact that since Damazer took over as controller of Radio 4 four years ago, he has rarely been out of mourning, as one much-loved presenter after another has passed away, many of them quite unexpectedly. (more)

The Launch Of Cbeebies Ends Parental TV Guilt
From Financial Times. Posted June 21 2008, 3.00am
When the BBC launched its pre-school digital channel, CBeebies, in February 2002, it created a huge shift in the way that many parents use the television. The days of... (more)

Dr Raj Persaud faces being struck off
From Biz Asia. Posted June 20 2008, 5.20pm
Celebrity psychiatrist Dr Raj Persaud faces being struck off after the General Medical Council ruled that his fitness to practise was impaired. A GMC panel ruled yesterday that he had brought his profession into disrepute after he admitted passing off other scholars' work as his own for a book and several articles he wrote. The panel decided that his actions meant his fitness to practise was impaired. It will now decide whether to strike him off the medical register. The doctor, famed for his appearances on the television chat show This Morning and on BBC Radio 4's All In The Mind programme, admitted plagiarising the work of other experts. But he had denied his actions were dishonest and liable to bring his profession into disrepute. Dr Persaud was accused of plagiarising material for his book following a Sunday Times investigation in 2006. The book was an anthology of the "100 most sick people in the history of psychiatry" and was intended to revive an interest in psychiatric patients' case histories. Chunks of prose, apparently written by Dr Persaud, were actually the work of other authors. He failed to attribute the so-called "stolen words". Dr Persaud said that at the time he believed he had sufficiently acknowledged other authors' work. He obtained permission to quote them in his book and included their names in the book's acknowledgements section. He told the GMC: "I realise I should have been much more careful when I started writing the book. "At the time, given the stress I was under, given the deadlines and my other work, I thought I was adequately attributing work." Article from Sky News (more)

Additional shortwave frequency for tomorrow?s football coverage
From Media Network Weblog. Posted June 20 2008, 9.44am
An additional frequency has been added for RNW’s coverage in Dutch of tomorrow’s Euro 2008 quarter-final between the Netherlands and Russia: Sackville 1800-2200 UTC - 11640 kHz - 285 degrees - North America east - 250 kW Bookmark to: (more)

Trouble in the Capital over comp
From Radio Today. Posted June 20 2008, 9.44am
Capital 95.8 have re-started a competition worth 155,000 pounds, despite the prize been won a fortnight ago.The original winner has been deemed ineligible by the station. Capital have referred the details of regulator Ofcom, who are looking into the matter. (more)

Peter Mitchell has been promoted to sports editor at the Sunday Telegraph
From Media Guardian. Posted June 20 2008, 6.12am
The Sunday Telegraph has promoted Peter Mitchell to sports editor, part of a raft of changes that will include a new sports blog on Telegraph.co.uk. By Stephen Brook (more)

Beet TV: TMZ using live web video streaming for celeb snooping - even in court!
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted June 18 2008, 11.22am
The US celebrity tabloid 'news' TV show and website TMZ has started using mobile phone technology to live stream video of celebrity goings-on. And it's all a great success Alan Citron, general manager of TMZ tells Beet TV. And the real crowd pullers? A courthouse appearance by Hulk Hogan's son and a two hour stream of a car park where Britany was expected to arrive. 'Hypnotic effect' of the car park kept viewers interested says Citron. Glam - this celeb business. (more)

Bee scoops Apprentice exclusive
From Radio Today. Posted June 17 2008, 7.59am
Alex Wotherspoon, one of the finalists from the television series The Apprentice joined 107 The Bee’s breakfast presenter Andy Cook for his first radio interview since leaving the show. (more)

Cable girl: Lucy Mangan on Murder, She Wrote
From Media Guardian. Posted June 16 2008, 11.48pm
Lucy Mangan: The eighth series (from 1996) of Murder, She Wrote has been released. I won't be buying it. But I am strangely pleased to know that now television's most delightful dame d'un certain age will live forever on DVD (more)

New English-language FM station licensed in Addis Ababa
From Media Network Weblog. Posted June 16 2008, 4.45pm
Paconet Media PLC, a privately held company registered in Addis Ababa, has been awarded an FM Broadcasting licence from the Ethiopian Broadcasting Authority this week for the frequency 105.3 FM to broadcast in the city and its surroundings. The station will be operating under the brand name of “Afro 105.3 FM”. The station will be broadcasting mainly [...] (more)

New owners of Virgin Radio back digital radio
From Biz Asia. Posted June 13 2008, 11.14pm
The Times of India group (TIML Golden Square, a wholly owned subsidiary of Times group), the new owners of Virgin Radio, says it is "more committed to DAB than anyone else", according to Broadcast Now. Chief executive Clive Dickens says that both the City and the industry at large was responsible for the platform’s negative press. "The industry has been bad at marketing DAB because the City decided it was an expensive long-term operation," says Dickens. "This, in turn, meant senior people at plcs had to publicly denounce it." The Times Of India Group acquired the Virgin Radio Holdings Ltd and its subsidiaries in the UK, earlier this month, for a phenomenal £53.2 million from SMG Plc. Related links: Times of India group acquires Virgin Radio Asian radio industry gives DAB backing (more)

Bernard Bot new chair of RNW?s Board of Governors
From Media Network Weblog. Posted June 13 2008, 2.26pm
Former Dutch foreign minister Bernard Bot has been appointed chairman of Radio Netherlands Worldwide’s Board of Governors by Education Culture and Science Minister Ronald Plasterk. He succeeds Hans van den Broek, who has spent eight years as chairman. Mr Bot will take up his new position immediately.    RNW’s Director-General Jan Hoek expressed his satisfaction with the [...] (more)

Campaign started to get RTI English back on FM in Slovakia
From Media Network Weblog. Posted June 13 2008, 12.06pm
A campaign has been launched to reverse the decision of the Slovak regulator to withdraw permission for Radio Tatras International (RTI) to broadcast its English programmes on FM across Slovakia. Since 5 June, RTI has been forced to broadcast programming in Slovak on FM, while its English service is carried on satellite and Internet only. The [...] (more)

ZEE Radio signs up film critic Taran Adarsh
From Biz Asia. Posted June 13 2008, 11.30am
Leading film critic and journalist Taran Adarsh has exclusively been signed by London’s only Bollywood centric radio station ZEE Radio. The deal means, Adarsh will give listeners exclusive box office news, filmi gossip and trade information straight from the tinsel town to listeners here in the capital. The slot titled 'Box Office Bulletin', starting later this month, will air daily in 2-3 minute capsules on ZEE Radio..Dil Se Bollywood. As well as movie and music reviews, Taran will also look at the box office status from a year ago in a special called “This Time Last Year”. Listeners can also catch Taran’s star interviews featured on his ZEE TV show ‘B Biz’ played back on ZEE Radio’s ‘Bollywood Beatz’ (weekday mornings 09:00) and on ‘Star Struck’ (weekends 13:00). " Station Manager of ZEE Radio, Raj Baddhan said, "Getting such a prominent personality from Mumbai like Taran Adarsh on ZEE Radio reinforces our policy of bringing the best of Bollywood direct from the film capital to our listeners here." ZEE Radio is touted as London’s only all-Bollywood music radio station broadcasting in London on 558AM between 07:00 – 13:00 and 24 hours a day on DAB digital radio. Online streaming starts soon. (more)

Scots Quartet Contending for Commercial Radio Titles
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted June 13 2008, 8.10am
Four Scottish stations have been shortlisted for awards celebrating the best of commercial radio. Northsound 1, Central FM, Radio Forth’s Boogie and Jill, and Real Radio Scotland’s Gavin Bruce and Jay Crawford are each in the running for an Arquiva Commercial Radio Award. ... (more)

The Loneliness of the Long-distance Runner
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted June 13 2008, 8.01am
The ‘joys’ of running a long-distance race has been captured by BBC Radio Scotland, for a documentary being broadcast tomorrow. 'Fast Talkers' comprises eight runners - who took part in last month’s Great Edinburgh Run - each mic’ed up, to... (more)

Cuban journalist warned by Cuban State against reporting for Radio Martí
From Media Network Weblog. Posted June 12 2008, 1.19pm
Cuban journalist Carlos Serpa Maceira says he was warned by Cuban State Security against reporting for Radio Martí. Serpa Maceira, who has since been released, told the Inter-American Press Association (IAPA) that he was taken from his home on 6 June, threatened with deportation from Havana and pressured to renounce journalism by police and state [...] (more)

NORTHSOUND 1 SHORTLISTED FOR COMMERCIAL RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR
From allmediascotland. Posted June 12 2008, 12.00am
Northsound 1 has been short-listed in the prestigious Commercial Radio Station of the Year category in the national Arqiva Commercial Radio Awards.   This is one of only three Scottish nominations in the awards, which have once again seen a record number of entries from stations across... (more)

Arqiva Awards - the nominations
From Radio Today. Posted June 11 2008, 9.38pm
The nominations for the 2008 Arqiva Commercial Radio Awards have been announced at a special event in London, hosted by Heart 106.2’s Nick Snaith and entertained by singer Beth Rowley. (more)

TV channels available free via cell phones in Morocco
From Media Network Weblog. Posted June 10 2008, 12.11pm
Personal mobile television (TMP), a service that enables users of cell phone to receive free of charge television programmes, has been officially launched in Morocco, the National Radio and Television Broadcasting Corporation (SNRT) said yesterday. In Morocco, a country whose population is estimated at 30 million inhabitants, more than 20 million people have subscribed to [...] (more)

New station director for Smooth
From Radio Today. Posted June 10 2008, 12.04pm
Stuart Taylor has stepped down as station director of Smooth 102.2 to concentrate on his roles as deputy chief executive and group commercial director of GMG Radio.Paul Fairburn has been appointed as his successor at the London based station. (more)

Ocean FM breach format
From Radio Today. Posted June 9 2008, 11.26am
Ofcom have found Ocean FM in breach of its format for the second time in eight months.Despite the formal breach, which the regulators considered "at odds with the core format promise" and "failing to fulfill the spirit of the station licence", the station has not been penalised. (more)

Theakston and Ferrari re-sign
From Radio Today. Posted June 9 2008, 9.08am
Global Radio has shown commitment to two of its London breakfast presenters - Jamie Theakston and Nick Ferrari by contracting them to a further three years.Jamie will continue his show on Heart 106.2, which he has hosted since 2005, whilst Nick Ferrari will continue on LBC 97.3, the station he has been with since 1998. (more)

Red Bee in Chinese TV Olympics deal
From Financial Times. Posted June 8 2008, 11.00pm
Macquarie-owned former BBC Broadcast unit wins contract worth an estimated £1m to design title sequences and information graphics for events with an audience of 1.3bn (more)

Next few weeks critical for WorldSpace as directors quit
From Media Network Weblog. Posted June 7 2008, 11.52am
WorldSpace, the international satellite radio operator, is facing several critical weeks. This week, it was announced that the company had been given an extra month to find $17.7 million to repay its creditors, and now has until 30 June to come up with the money. Noah Samara, Worldspace’s founder, Chairman and CEO, described the financial situation [...] (more)

Daytime editor for Kiss 100
From Radio Today. Posted June 6 2008, 11.35am
Former Hit 40 UK executive producer Simon Long has been appointed daytime editor for London's Kiss 100. He will report into Andy Roberts, programming director at Kiss 100, and work within the programming team. (more)

Media Talk podcast: value for money at the Beeb, and Lucinda from The Apprentice
From Media Guardian. Posted June 6 2008, 9.12am
The panel discuss the BBC Trust report clearing the Beeb of overpaying for top stars. Plus, the rebrands at the Times and Virgin Radio. And fired candidate Lucinda tells us about life after The Apprentice (more)

Cheshire FM boss buys Dune
From Radio Today. Posted June 6 2008, 7.36am
107.9 Dune FM has been bought by the chief executive of community radio station Cheshire FM. (more)

Planet Rock: GCap Media station sold to entrepreneur Malcolm Bluemel
From Media Guardian. Posted June 4 2008, 3.55pm
Digital radio station Planet Rock has been sold to the millionaire boss of a visa and passport applications business. By John Plunkett (more)

Radio head: Zoe Williams on what the BBC pay radio presenters
From Media Guardian. Posted June 4 2008, 12.38am
Zoe Williams: What I do hold against the BBC, is this idea that they have to pay radio presenters a tonne to make up for what they would have earned if they'd been on the telly (more)

BBC warned on overpayments to stars
From Financial Times. Posted June 2 2008, 11.30pm
The broadcaster has been told it might be overpaying its top television and radio presenters and should consider reducing salaries because the "talent" had nowhere else to go (more)

Ingram Hired as Senior Media Trainer
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted June 2 2008, 6.32am
One of the country’s biggest media training consultancies has hired a Real Radio presenter as its senior media trainer. Glasgow-based The Broadcasting Business has taken on Lindsey Ingram, who has been working as a senior news presenter with the radio station She will be replacing... (more)

Virgin Radio sold for 53m
From The Scotsman. Posted June 2 2008, 12.00am
MEDIA group SMG today confirmed that Virgin Radio has been sold for 53.2 million to TIML Golden Square Ltd. (more)

Virgin Radio Sold - Except the Name
From radio.about.com. Posted June 1 2008, 10.57am
Virgini Radio has been sold to to the parent company of Times of India newspaper according to a report in the online version of The Washington Post. The $106 million dollar... (more)

Graham and Beesley cast in BBC Survivors remake
From The Stage. Posted May 30 2008, 3.00pm
(more)

Bauer kiss Kiss goodbye
From Radio Today. Posted May 30 2008, 11.56am
Ofcom has approved a request by Bauer Radio to flip the formats of 21 local digital services, to Magic.Kiss has been dropped from 12 multiplexes while Smash Hits has been dropped from 9, as the soft AC format is rolled out across the UK. (more)

GCap Media sells Xfm south Wales to Town and Country Broadcasting
From Media Guardian. Posted May 30 2008, 11.30am
GCap Media's Xfm radio station in south Wales has been sold to local radio group Town and Country Broadcasting, and will be renamed Nation Radio. By John Plunkett (more)

Queen guitarist Brian May loses bid to buy Planet Rock from GCap Media
From Media Guardian. Posted May 30 2008, 9.47am
Brian May has failed in his bid to buy GCap Media's Planet Rock - but claims a buyer for the troubled digital station has been found. By John Plunkett (more)

Dune FM sold to KCR
From Radio Today. Posted May 29 2008, 4.23pm
Southport's 107.9 Dune FM has been sold by The Local Radio Company to KCR owner Ray Furguson, RadioToday.co.uk has learnt.KCR 106.7 is Dune FM's neighbouring station, both based on Merseyside with a distance of 15 miles between the stations. (more)

TLRC sells Dune FM
From Radio Today. Posted May 29 2008, 4.23pm
Southport's 107.9 Dune FM has been sold by The Local Radio Company, RadioToday.co.uk has learnt.Although TLRC were unable to confirm the disposal the station, RadioToday.co.uk understands the sale has been agreed with a new consortium, but it will be several weeks until the deal is completed. (more)

TLRC sells 107.9 Dune FM
From Radio Today. Posted May 29 2008, 4.23pm
Southport's 107.9 Dune FM has been sold by The Local Radio Company, RadioToday.co.uk has learnt.Although TLRC were unable to confirm the disposal the station, RadioToday.co.uk understands the sale has been agreed with a new consortium, but it will be several weeks until the deal is completed. (more)

French public broadcasting strike planned for 18 June
From Media Network Weblog. Posted May 28 2008, 11.54am
Unions representing the staff of France’s public broadcasting services are planning a one-day work stoppage on 18 June. The strike will affect Radio France Internationale as well as domestic networks. Jean-Francois Tealdi, a spokesman for the 10 unions concerned, told AFP that the strike had been called to “save public service broadcasting” and to “defend the pluralism of [...] (more)

BBC Radio 5 Live promotes Jonathan Wall to commissioning editor
From Media Guardian. Posted May 28 2008, 11.27am
The BBC Radio 5 Live executive in charge of all its live sport and sports news programmes has been promoted to become the station's new commissioning editor. By John Plunkett (more)

Jonathan Wall to replace Moz Dee
From Radio Today. Posted May 27 2008, 1.31pm
BBC Radio 5 Live editor Jonathan Wall has been promoted to commissioning editor at the station, signalling an official replacement for Moz Dee who left to join talkSPORT last year.Jonathan will have a key role alongside 5 Live controller Adrian Van Klaveren, who took over the post of BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Live Sports Extra controller in April. (more)

Madagascar: Security tightened around state TV, radio offices over coup rumours
From Media Network Weblog. Posted May 27 2008, 12.28pm
Security has been tightened around the premises of the Malagasy state TV and radio stations following rumours that some military officers were planning to stage a coup, the independent newspaper Les Nouvelles web site reported on 27 May. About eight armed soldiers have been deployed around the offices of the Television Malagasy (TVM) and Radio Nationale [...] (more)

Northsound jock helps Police
From Radio Today. Posted May 27 2008, 11.18am
Andy James, Northsound 1's afternoon drive presenter has been helping the local police gather interest in their upcoming recruitment weekend by sampling life as a police officer. (more)

The Bee covers Darwen Live
From Radio Today. Posted May 25 2008, 7.47pm
Blackburn's local radio station 107 The Bee is broadcasting live from a local music event this bank holiday weekend, providing nine hours a day of backstage reporting and live music. (more)

New community Asian radio licence for Walsall
From Biz Asia. Posted May 24 2008, 2.41pm
Birmingham's Walsall area will be welcoming a new Asian radio station later this year, we can confirm. The station called 'Ambur Radio' will be managed by Priya Singh, who herself is a prominent media personality in the West Midlands area. Prior to setting up Ambur Radio, Singh worked at Radio XL from start and then followed that with the launch of her own digital station Apna Radio. Ambur Radio's description as provided to media regulator Ofcom is, "Ambur Radio will be a community station for Walsall. It will be focused on the Asian communities but it will also provide some programming for the whole community, including other minority ethnic groups." Priya confirmed to BizAsia.co.uk that Ambur Radio will be on-air within the "next four months". It has been awarded a five-year licence to broadcast on FM (frequency to be confirmed) in Walsall - and a ten-mile radius outside the town. A fortnight ago, BizAsia.co.uk also announced the launch of yet another community Asian station for the Punjabi audience - Raaj FM, which will broadcast in Birmingham for 28 days. Related links: Punjabi station awarded RSL in Birmingham (more)

Memorial Day - Radio's Role in War
From radio.about.com. Posted May 24 2008, 1.04pm
Radio has long been used as another weapon in war, mainly as a propaganda tool. From broadcasts aimed at Iraq by U.S. forces against Saddam Hussein, to North Vietnam's "Hanoi... (more)

Radio Sweden frequency change on Sunday
From Media Network Weblog. Posted May 23 2008, 4.19pm
Radio Sweden’s website says “Because of interference from other radio stations, we’ve been forced to change the frequency of our broadcast in English to the Middle East at 15:30  UTC. The current frequency of 11590 kHz is changing on May 25 to 11595 kHz.” Bookmark to: (more)

Bauer Appoints Scotland Programme Director
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted May 23 2008, 7.56am
The relatively recent new owner of Scottish radio stations such as Clyde and Northsound has appointed a new regional programme director for Scotland. Bauer has announced Duncan Campbell has been awarded the role. He’ll be based at Edinburgh-based Radio Forth. For more, read here -... (more)

More flock to Q Radio
From Radio Today. Posted May 22 2008, 12.19am
Media journalist Anthony Barnes has been appointed as online editor across Bauer's Q brand in advance of the re-launch of Q Radio. (more)

RFE/RL says Kazakhstan blocking its websites
From Media Network Weblog. Posted May 21 2008, 10.23am
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) says that, for more than five weeks, Internet users in Kazakhstan have been unable to access the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Kazakh-language website despite repeated requests to the Kazakh government and KazTelecom to restore service. “This is very disturbing,” says RFE/RL President Jeffrey Gedmin. “We initially thought we had a technical problem [...] (more)

Archers Antrobus dies
From Radio Today. Posted May 21 2008, 8.36am
Tributes have been paid to the actress Margot Boyd, who played Mrs Antrobus for 20 years in BBC Radio 4's The Archers. She died yesterday at the age of 94. (more)

New programmer for Asian Net
From Radio Today. Posted May 21 2008, 6.39am
Husain Husaini, currently head of news for the BBC Asian Network has been appointed as head of programmes at the station. (more)

Asian Network appoints new Programmes Head
From Biz Asia. Posted May 20 2008, 10.40pm
The BBC Asian Network has announced that it has hired Husain Husaini as Head of Programmes. The Head of Programmes role is a new addition to the Asian Network management team and will be focussed on delivering the station's editorial strategy and output over the coming years. Husain has a strong news and editorial background having worked for Radio 5 Live, Today, News 24 and BBC World Service in the past in a variety of roles. His current role is Head of News at Asian Network. Asian Network, Radio 1, 1Xtra and Switch controller Andy Parfitt said, "We are building a very strong leadership team. Husain has an excellent track record of delivery and I am looking forward to building Asian Network's editorial ambitions". Vijay Sharma, Head of Asian Network added, "I'm very pleased to the announce the addition of the Head of Programmes role to the Asian Network management team and particularly pleased that this is Husain given his strong background. It is a welcome addition because it means we can further strengthen the editorial support and guidance that we give to our programme teams". Husain Husaini said of his new role, "It's a real honour to be asked to lead the programme teams. I have been working for two and a half years as Head of News at Asian Network, so I know from close experience that the producers and presenters who make our programmes are talented, enthusiastic and capable". (more)

Baker returns to Radio 5 Live
From Radio Today. Posted May 20 2008, 1.40am
Danny Baker is heading back to BBC Radio 5 Live to host the football show 606 this Sunday evening, following the European Championship game between Austria and Croatia.Danny Baker, who has been sacked from the BBC many times in the past, returns to host six editions of 606 en route to the final in Vienna on Sunday 29 June. (more)

Suspension of SABC chief executive overturned
From Media Network Weblog. Posted May 19 2008, 3.07pm
A South African court ruled today that the suspension of the state broadcaster’s chief executive had been unlawful. The SABC board suspended Dali Mpofu earlier this month, a day after doing the same to its news division chief, in a shake-up at the broadcaster which has been accused of bias by supporters of ruling party [...] (more)

DRM consortium creates new post of Project Director
From Media Network Weblog. Posted May 19 2008, 2.50pm
Although many people are of the opinion that Digital Radio Mondiale has ‘missed the boat’, since the Chair of the consortium has been transferred to the BBC World Service in London, it has been given a new lease of life. Just days after relaunching its website, DRM is advertising the newly-created post of Project Director. [...] (more)

My Life In Media: James Whale
From The Independent. Posted May 19 2008, 12.00am
James Whale, 57, is a radio host and television presenter who hit the headlines earlier this month after being sacked from Talksport Radio, where he'd worked for 13 years, for breaching Ofcom broadcasting rules by endorsing the Conservative London mayoral candidate Boris Johnson. The outspoken Whale made his reputation as a late-night shock jock at Newcastle's Metro Radio. Since leaving Talksport he has launched a website (www.jameswhaleradio.com) and joined the shopping channel Bid TV as a presenter. His autobiography, Almost a Celebrity, is out in paperback in October. He lives in London, where he enjoys gardening and archery. Whale and his wife Melinda have been married for 40 years and have two sons, James, 39, and Peter, 37. (more)

Broadcasting talks between Russia and Azerbaijan break down
From Media Network Weblog. Posted May 18 2008, 12.50pm
Talks between Azerbaijan and Russia on mutual rebroadcasting of state radio and TV channels have been abandoned without agreement. Azerbaijan stopped relaying Russia’s RTR-Planeta on 1 January 2008 in protest at Russia’s refusal to allow Azeri TV to broadcast in Russia. Negotiations on this had dragged on throughout 2007. Azerbaijan believes that Russia is unwilling to sign an [...] (more)

Journalist attached to VOA to be new DG of Radio Pakistan
From Media Network Weblog. Posted May 18 2008, 12.29pm
ISLAMABAD: Murtaza Solangi, a journalist currently attached with the Voice of America (VOA) in Washington, will be the new Director General (DG) of the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC), sources in the Establishment Division told The News. A summary for the appointment of Solangi as the DG Radio Pakistan has been moved by the Ministry of Information [...] (more)

Punjabi station awarded RSL in Birmingham
From Biz Asia. Posted May 17 2008, 7.28pm
A Punjabi radio station has been awarded a Restricted Service Licence (RSL) in Birmingham, starting from 1st June. (more)

Rock FM presenters arrested
From Radio Today. Posted May 17 2008, 5.05pm
Bauer's Lancashire breakfast show presenter Adam Caterall and sidekick Gemma Dee have been arrested by local police and taken to local shop windows in a bid to raise £20,000 for charity. (more)

Lincs FM is all show
From Radio Today. Posted May 16 2008, 11.21am
Lincs FM is once again operating the RSL Lincolnshire Show Radio next month. It's the tenth year the station has been on air, broadcasting exclusive interviews, reports and travel news for the agricultural event. (more)

More dismissals expected at Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation
From Media Network Weblog. Posted May 16 2008, 11.20am
More heads are expected to roll at the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation following the dismissal of the company’s chief executive officer Henry Muradzikwa on Wednesday 19 months after his appointment. Sources within ZBC who spoke on conditions of anonymity say Information and Publicity Secretary George Charamba has been breathing fire on ZBC’s board to investigate the marketing [...] (more)

Frequency change for RNW Dutch to ME at 1559-1657 UTC
From Media Network Weblog. Posted May 16 2008, 10.45am
China National Radio is on an extended shortwave schedule following the severe earthquake a few days ago. A transmitter in Nanning is using 13840 kHz. To avoid co-channel interference, the frequency of RNW’s transmission in Dutch to the Middle East from Madagascar at 1559-1657 UTC has been changed from 13840 to 13740 kHz. As I am not in the [...] (more)

Wave102 Changing Hands?
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted May 16 2008, 8.16am
A Dundee radio station is understood to have been bought by a consortium led by a former managing director of Radio Forth. Wave102 had been a target of Adam Findlay some months ago, and it is expected a formal announcement about the sale - from UTV, owners of Edinburgh-based talk107 - is to be... (more)

Two new shows on ZEE Radio from Monday
From Biz Asia. Posted May 15 2008, 9.23pm
ZEE Network's recently launched radio station ZEE Radio has announced the launch of two new shows, starting on Monday (19th May). The first - an entertainment packed afternoon offering called 'One Two Ka Four' will occupy the 13:00 - 16:00 (Monday to Friday) slot presented by Simi. She will deal with humorous subjects skewed towards a female listener. The show features recipes, beauty, fashion and talk about light-hearted family issues. The second is being described as the UK's first weeknight Asian love show called 'Ishq Vishq Pyar Vyar' presented by Divya. The show will feature love messages, stories and the best of romantic hits from Bollywood. It will air Sunday to Thursday at 23:00. Station Manager for ZEE Radio, Raj Baddhan said, "Since our launch in February, the response to ZEE Radio has been overwhelming. To retain the momentum and to add even more Bollywood flavour to the output, we are launching two new shows - one will be the must listen show during weekday afternoons and the other is what we love about Bollywood - the romantic hits. I'm positive listeners are going to welcome the two new additions and enjoy them like they are doing with the other shows on ZEE Radio." ZEE Radio is available on DAB digital radio 24 hours a day and 07:00 - 13:00 on 558AM in Greater London. (more)

AIB launches quest for global media excellence
From Media Network Weblog. Posted May 15 2008, 4.46pm
The Association for International Broadcasting, a leading industry body and global networking organisation, has today launched its annual search for the world’s best programme makers. The fourth AIB Media Excellence Awards will, as always, be unique as they focus on cross-border communications. They have been designed by and for the international media industry, offering peer recognition [...] (more)

Radio Nigeria acquires new transmitters
From Media Network Weblog. Posted May 15 2008, 12.22pm
Developments at Nigeria’s premier radio corporation, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), are fast transforming the staid image of Africa’s largest radio network. In the past one year, Radio Nigeria has been quietly transforming itself with improved signals, captivating programming, web audio streaming, and, the latest, brand new transmitters at Kaduna and Enugu to be [...] (more)

Radio, Where Art Thou? Why Radio has Become a Little Less Exciting
From radio.about.com. Posted May 15 2008, 1.00am
I've had a bit of writer's block lately and at first I thought it was me. But, now I realize the reason I haven't been very inspired to write about... (more)

Two Murder Man Over Car Radio
From radio.about.com. Posted May 14 2008, 1.54pm
Your basic car radio: a piece of electronic technology people are apparently willing to kill for. At least in Stratford, England. BBC News reports: "Two brothers have been found guilty... (more)

Local Radio Company gets permission to relocate stations
From Media Guardian. Posted May 14 2008, 11.09am
The Local Radio Company has been given the green light to move the bases of four stations out of the areas they serve in a bid to save money. By Paul McNally (more)

Bauer appoints trading director
From Radio Today. Posted May 13 2008, 6.36pm
A new position of Radio Trading Director has been created for Granada Television and News International client development manager Derek Hewitt. (more)

Frequency change for RNW Dutch to SE Asia at 1159 UTC
From Media Network Weblog. Posted May 13 2008, 2.44pm
Due to interference in the target area, the frequency of the RNW transmission in Dutch to SE Asia at 1159-1257 UTC via Madagascar has been changed from 17745 to 17740 kHz. Bookmark to: (more)

James Whale joins Play UK
From Radio Today. Posted May 12 2008, 5.28pm
Sacked talkSPORT presenter James Whale has been hired by Internet station Play Radio UK to present an un-restricted phone in on the Play Two UK channel. (more)

EU executive, MEPs clash over spectrum use
From Media Network Weblog. Posted May 12 2008, 1.15pm
The European Commission should back off in its attempt to have more say over how to allocate spectrum that has been freed up by the switch to digital television, a top EU lawmaker said last week.  EU Media Commissioner Viviane Reding has proposed a more pan-European Union approach to managing freed up radio bands so they [...] (more)

So why has nobody been fired at ITV?
From Media Guardian. Posted May 11 2008, 11.04pm
Steve Hewlett: For all the juicy titbits about 'omnipotent' executive producers, it is ITV corporately that really gets it in the neck (more)

The Apprentice's Tre Azam joins LBC 97.3 as radio host
From Media Guardian. Posted May 9 2008, 2.42pm
Former Apprentice contestant Tre Azam has been signed by London talk station LBC 97.3 to present a Saturday afternoon show. By John Plunkett (more)

Dody is alive and well!
From Media Network Weblog. Posted May 9 2008, 11.51am
For those of you who don’t subscribe to our weekly Newsletter: There has been a bit of commotion on the Happy Station Yahoo! Group this week. Someone joined in and revealed their true identity - and was rewarded with an insulting message claiming she was not who she claimed to be. Embarrassingly for me, I [...] (more)

Shaw sacked by Kerrang
From Radio Today. Posted May 9 2008, 11.21am
Breakfast presenter Tim Shaw has been dismissed by Kerrang! Radio following an investigation into a competition at the station.The allegations against Shaw concerned the mismanagement of a competition on Kerrang! Radio where the presenter was found to have breached company rules. (more)

Sky Radio loses Danish court case, but plans to appeal
From Media Network Weblog. Posted May 9 2008, 10.46am
Sky Radio has lost a court case brought by the Danish Government, and has been ordered to pay 210 million Danish kroner (€25 million) to the government as compensation for breaking its contract. Sky Radio says it plans to appeal the decision. Sky Radio Denmark went on the air in 2003 with a licence valid for eight [...] (more)

Rock Radio's Sweeney speaks out
From Radio Today. Posted May 9 2008, 12.09am
Rock Radio's afternoon presenter Mike Sweeney has been featured in an online television interview about the state of the industry, and about his new radio programme in Manchester. (more)

First homes for sale at Media City
From Radio Today. Posted May 8 2008, 11.40pm
Those BBC staff making the move to the BBC's new home in the north may be interested to hear the first residential apartments in the heart of Media City have been released for sale this week.The Heart @ MediaCity consists of 178 apartments and will be ready six months before the planned move at the start of 2011. (more)

Radio 4 silences The Message after 10 years
From Media Guardian. Posted May 8 2008, 6.23am
Jenni Murray's long-running BBC Radio 4 discussion show The Message has been axed to make way for a new weekly programme about the media. By John Plunkett (more)

Johnny brings out Radio 1 book
From Radio Today. Posted May 7 2008, 12.27pm
The man who worked inside BBC Radio 1 from the beginning, and held the top position from 1985 to 1993 has written a book about his time at the station.Radio 1 - The Inside Story explains how Johnny Beerling observed the politics and the personalities of Britain's Favourite and is expected to be a hit with both the radio industry and fans of the station. (more)

Another Canadian AM transmitter goes silent
From Media Network Weblog. Posted May 7 2008, 12.00pm
CKPT-AM 1420 kHz  in Peterborough, Ontario, is the latest Canadian AM station to sign off for good.  The station became 99.3 Energy FM last August, and has been simulcasting on AM since then. Last year, Peterborough’s remaining AM station, 980 CKRU, applied to also move to FM. Nearly a dozen other applicants are also seeking Peterborough’s available FM [...] (more)

BBC World Service website wins Webby award
From Media Network Weblog. Posted May 7 2008, 10.02am
The website for the BBC World Service has been named the winner of Best Radio Website at the 2008 Webby awards, which acknowledge excellence on the Internet. A previous winner of the award in 2001, the site was completely revamped and relaunched in December 2007. The Webbys are viewed as the “Oscars of the Internet,” and the award [...] (more)

Signs of shake-up at SABC
From Media Network Weblog. Posted May 7 2008, 9.42am
South Africa’s public broadcaster said today it had suspended its top executive, one day after doing the same to the head of its news and current affairs division. The moves suggested a shake-up and power struggle at the SABC, which has been accused of slanting political coverage. Supporters of increasingly powerful ruling party leader Jacob Zuma [...] (more)

'Vote Boris' radio presenter sacked
From The Independent. Posted May 6 2008, 4.12pm
Radio presenter James Whale has been sacked following complaints about him urging listeners to vote for Boris Johnson in London's mayoral elections. (more)

Time and frequency change for RNW Dutch to AUS/NZ
From Media Network Weblog. Posted May 6 2008, 9.39am
As of 3 May, the RNW Dutch transmission to Australia & New Zealand from Bonaire at 0659-0757 on 9625 kHz has been discontinued. It is replaced by a transmission at 0900-0957 from Saipan, 100 kW, beamed 195 degrees. Bookmark to: (more)

TalkSport presenter James Whale sacked for 'vote Boris' plea
From Media Guardian. Posted May 6 2008, 9.21am
TalkSport presenter James Whale has been sacked after breaching broadcasting regulations by urging listeners to vote for Boris Johnson. By John Plunkett (more)

Finnish public broadcaster YLE to join forces with commercial companies
From Media Network Weblog. Posted May 5 2008, 12.07pm
A broadcaster on Radio Finland once said “this is a radio station, not a supermarket.”  I wonder what he would have made of today’s news that the Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE) has decided to embark on close cooperation with commercial companies. According to Helsingin Sanomat, negotiations have been held with the commercial TV channel MTV3, the Internet [...] (more)

New director at UBC Media
From Radio Today. Posted May 4 2008, 6.16pm
Gavin Rigby has been appointed as the finance director of UBC Media. Gavin has been with the company for five years in the position of financial controller. (more)

Grand Theft Auto 4 Features 18 Radio Stations
From radio.about.com. Posted May 4 2008, 7.08am
With the release of "Grand Theft Auto 4" this past week, the latest installment of one of gaming's most popular franchises, the news has been peppered with various insights into... (more)

ZBM Bermuda: 1340 AM transmitter ?about to die?
From Media Network Weblog. Posted May 3 2008, 3.00pm
The Bermuda Broadcasting Company has been forced to back down on a plan to shift Everest DeCosta’s popular afternoon radio talk show to a new time slot and cut his on-air time in half following complaints from listeners. BBC programming head Darlene Ming told the the Bermuda Sun this week all programmes running on 1340 AM [...] (more)

RTB-Brunei set to launch HDTV
From M