URY 1350AM - news archive

This is an archive of news about URY 1350AM. Some links may no longer work, due to the transient nature of the internet.

Radio review: In search of the perfect Glastonbury loo
From Media Guardian. Posted July 5 2008, 11.04pm
Radio: The BBC went Glasto-mental this year. At one point, it seemed there were more festival-based programmes than the combined coverage of tennis, football and the Zimbabwean elections (more)

Charity's fury over Observer report on undiscovered tribe
From Press Gazette. Posted July 2 2008, 12.00am
Development charity Survival International today launched an extraordinary attack on Observer foreign editor Peter Beaumont by posting a sound file on its website of a phone call in which he threatens to sue them. (more)

Radiohead explain Glastonbury snub
From Digital Spy. Posted June 28 2008, 10.09am
Radiohead reveal that they did not wish to be seen as Glastonbury's "house band". (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 Scotlandā€™s breakfast presenter Robin Galloway. (more)

Dave Ward and Umberto reunited
From Radio Today. Posted June 26 2008, 10.23am
Manchester duo Dave Ward and Umberto will be back behind the mic together this summer. The pair, who became a popular double-act on Piccadilly 1152 in the 1990s, will be starting a new weekend breakfast show on Century Radio. (more)

Former Radio Reporter Ron Kirk Sentenced to Prison
From radio.about.com. Posted June 21 2008, 6.31am
According to mercurynews.com: "Former radio station KZST reporter and news anchor Ron Kirk Kuhlmeyer was sentenced to six years in state prison this morning in Sonoma County Superior Court for... (more)

Swift giveaway for Spire FM
From Radio Today. Posted June 17 2008, 7.53am
The Local Radio Company's 102 Spire FM has given away a brand new Swift Car in front of hundreds of people at the Salisbury Motor Show. (more)

Barry George trial: Man accused of killing Jill Dando was fascinated by television stars, jury told
From Media Guardian. Posted June 9 2008, 11.10pm
Defendant had fascination female TV personalities and took thousands of pictures of local women, court hears (more)

Dom Joly: Trigger Happy TV star plays Cadbury Twisted chocolate bar
From Media Guardian. Posted June 2 2008, 6.07am
Dom Joly's classic programme Trigger Happy TV is to be re-invented in a series of online skits to promote Cadbury's new chocolate bar. By Mark Sweney (more)

Zac Goldsmith Urges Boycott against Sainsbury?s
From Press Release, via webitpr. Posted May 28 2008, 1.00pm
In an exclusive video broadcast on Friction.tv and published by The Independent newspaper earlier today, outspoken activist and Conservative candidate Zac Goldsmith has slammed Sainbury's supermarket CEO Justin King, accusing him of misleading the public, and attempting to stifle national media. Together with local action group, (more)

Mercury mountaineers to conquer Three Peaks challenge
From Hold the Front Page. Posted May 23 2008, 9.00am
Reporter and photographers to take on three highest mountains and raise charity cash (more)

Eurythmics star slams reality TV
From Digital Spy. Posted May 20 2008, 11.11am
Dave Stewart says reality TV popstars are "manufactured" and have no longevity. (more)

Cadbury launches Creme Egg spin-off campaign
From Media Guardian. Posted May 20 2008, 5.52am
Cadbury launching a chocolate bar spin-off of the Creme Egg, backed by TV ads portraying it as the 'evil' offspring of the Easter treat. By Mark Sweney (more)

21st-century comeback for Late Night Line-Up
From Media Guardian. Posted May 19 2008, 6.46am
The BBC is planning to resurrect live discussion show Late Night Line-Up for a one-off special after 36 years off air. By Owen Gibson (more)

Bloomsbury Publishing boosted by cost-cutting measures
From The Times. Posted May 16 2008, 8.13am
The decision to prune the number of books it produces and other cost controls has strengthened cash flow at Bloomsbury Publishing, which was responsible for the Harry Potter cycle, the company said in a trading statement. (more)

Cliq offers free music all day
From Radio Today. Posted May 4 2008, 9.11pm
Free music all day bank holiday Monday from GMG's Real and Century radio stations, by using UBC Media's Cliq application. (more)

Dual focus for Mercury journalists on McCann anniversary as 500 new posters are printed
From Hold the Front Page. Posted May 2 2008, 9.30am
Leicester Mercury talks to crime experts and examines worldwide media coverage of Madeleine story (more)

Major marketing for UTV stations
From Radio Today. Posted May 2 2008, 12.32am
UTV Radio is launching a new major marketing campaign across eight of its ILR stations. The activity begins at The Pulse in West Yorkshire and continues to 96.5 Radio Wave across Blackpool and 107.4 Tower FM across Bolton and Bury before the creative is rolled out across the five remaining stations. (more)

Real contrast for GMG
From Radio Today. Posted May 1 2008, 7.02am
GMG Radioā€™s Smooth Radio stations had enjoyed a successful set of audience figures, with increases in audience across all five measured Smooth stations.However the Real/Century brand failed to perform as well, with Real Radio Scotland losing 10 per cent of its audience and 100 - 102 Century Radio's market share reaching a record low in the station's history. (more)

GMG goes independent
From Radio Today. Posted April 29 2008, 10.53am
GMG Radio has announced the first of its programmes since launching a Ā£1m fund to commission independent productions for the group. Programmes to begin broadcasting in June include a six part documentary exploring the musical heritage along the route of the Mississippi river to an audio portrait of the realities of war in the 21st Century as told by serving soldiers in Afghanistan. (more)

New breakfast show for Dune
From Radio Today. Posted April 29 2008, 12.19am
Former Century Radio North West breakfast presenter Danny Matthews has joined The Local Radio Company's Dune FM in Southport to host the breakfast show. (more)

TLRC relocates another station
From Radio Today. Posted April 28 2008, 10.43am
TLRC have had a further format change approved by Ofcom, meaning Warminster's 3TR fm can be co-located within the studios of Spire FM in Salisbury.The regulators have also agreed that six hours of weekday daytime programming can be shared between the two stations. (more)

'Getting out' is secret to Century Radio success
From Press Gazette. Posted April 28 2008, 12.00am
A winning streak at Century Radio in the north-west of England is down to a year of original, campaigning journalism, according to its head of news. (more)

NW stations want How Do award
From Radio Today. Posted April 24 2008, 12.26am
Radio stations and presenters from around the north west of England are gathering at Manchester United's Old Trafford ground this evening for the first How-Do Awards dinner, hopeful of picking up a gong. Representatives from City Talk, Century Radio and Xfm will be amongst the guests. (more)

Ditchy back in Manchester
From Radio Today. Posted April 22 2008, 6.13pm
David Ditchfield is returning to the north-west to join 105.4 Century Radioā€™s breakfast show, just months after leaving Bauer Radio's flagship station Key 103. Ditchy is the third breakfast presenter for the GMG Radio station in the past 15 months. (more)

Another gameshow for Century
From Radio Today. Posted April 18 2008, 3.48pm
Century Radio in the North East is launching a new show this weekend to promote their weekday breakfast hosts Scott and Ben. (more)

BBC tried to bury ITV with 'Archers'
From Digital Spy. Posted April 16 2008, 11.30am
The BBC attempted to upstage ITV at its launch with a dramatic death in The Archers, documents reveal. (more)

Century FM's Rhys Jones coverage praised
From Media Guardian. Posted April 15 2008, 3.09pm
105.4 Century FM has won three of the nine prizes at the annual IRN News awards, all for its coverage of the shooting of Liverpool schoolboy Rhys Jones. By John Plunkett (more)

TV ad you can sing along to
From Radio Today. Posted April 15 2008, 8.01am
GMG Radio is about to spend part of a one million pounds advertising budget on a new three-week long television campaign for Real Radio Wales and Century Radio in the northwest and northeast. The ads feature Duran Duranā€™s Rio and promote the strap-line "Music you just have to song along to". (more)

IRN Awards: Century FM wins acclaim for Rhys Jones murder coverage
From Press Gazette. Posted April 15 2008, 12.00am
North West commercial radio station Century FM has won three prizes at the Independent Radio News Awards for its coverage following the murder of Liverpool schoolboy Rhys Jones last year. (more)

IRN Awards: Century Radio wins acclaim for Rhys Jones murder coverage
From Press Gazette. Posted April 15 2008, 12.00am
North West commercial radio station Century Radio has won three prizes at the Independent Radio News Awards for its coverage following the murder of Liverpool schoolboy Rhys Jones last year. (more)

Murray Walker: My Life in Media
From The Independent. Posted April 14 2008, 12.00am
Murray Walker, 84, is Britain's best-known motor sport commentator. He started his career in radio, covering the Isle of Man TT races, and graduated to become the voice of Formula One, first for the BBC and later ITV. Known for his unique commentary style and a voice that seems to rise and fall in tone along with the revving of engines, Walker dovetailed his media activities with a successful career in advertising before he retired to concentrate on his hobby, motor sport, in 1982. A quarter century on, Walker is still a motor sport pundit. He lives with his wife near Salisbury, Hampshire, and drives a BMW 330d. (more)

More bury heads in interest-only mortgages
From Daily Telegraph. Posted April 12 2008, 12.01am
One in three mortgages is now being taken out "on the never never" and interest-only home loans have doubled in popularity during the last five years, The Daily Telegraph can reveal. (more)

CN networks all but breakfast
From Radio Today. Posted April 11 2008, 1.31pm
CN Group have received approval to network all output except breakfast at five of its stations in the Midlands. Only the breakfast show will distinguish Touchradio in Coventry, Banbury, Tamworth and Stratford and Rugby FM. Three of the stations are already co-located. (more)

Sunday Mercury takes top prize at Newspaper Society awards
From Media Guardian. Posted April 11 2008, 10.31am
Trinity Mirror's Sunday Mercury has been named paid-for regional newspaper of the year at the Newspaper Society circulation, editorial and promotions awards. By Jemima Kiss (more)

Sunday Mercury scoops top prize at Newspaper Society's regional press awards
From Hold the Front Page. Posted April 11 2008, 9.00am
How did your newspaper fare in the year's big celebration of regional press journalism (more)

More licences re-advertised
From Radio Today. Posted April 10 2008, 10.00pm
The opportunity to take-over the local radio licence for Canterbury or Dover and Folkestone is now available. Ofcom is inviting declarations of intent to anyone wishing to apply for the franchise, currently held by CTFM Limited and South East Radio Limited respectively. Both are due to expire in September 2009. (more)

Jury: 'Paparazzi and Henri Paul to blame for manslaughter of Diana'
From Press Gazette. Posted April 7 2008, 12.00am
Driver Henri Paul and paparazzi share the blame for the manslaughter of Diana, Princess of Wales and Dodi Fayed, the jury at their inquest has concluded. (more)

John Newbury: Face to faith
From Media Guardian. Posted April 4 2008, 11.06pm
Those of us who call people to Christianity have a duty of care towards respondents, says John Newbury (more)

Bloomsbury looks to post-Potter spell
From Financial Times. Posted April 1 2008, 9.57pm
After the volatility engendered by the world's most popular boy wizard, Bloomsbury Publishing is entering a period of stable growth, Nigel Newton, chief executive, said (more)

Tommy Sheridan and wife appear in court on perjury charge
From Press Gazette. Posted March 27 2008, 12.00am
Former Socialist MSP Tommy Sheridan and his wife Gail appeared in court today charged with perjury (more)

Sainsbury's puts more pressure on Robert Tchenguiz with British Land venture
From The Times. Posted March 26 2008, 11.20pm
J Sainsbury is to buy back 50 per cent of the freehold on 38 of its superstores from British Land and co-develop them over the next decade to add more than 500,000 sq ft of sales space. (more)

Award ceremony recognition for photographer's half-century career
From Hold the Front Page. Posted March 26 2008, 10.25am
Former Scotsman snapper who captured the Scots at Wembley to be honoured (more)

IRN Award Shortlist Revealed
From Radio Today. Posted March 25 2008, 1.51pm
GMG and Bauer lead the nominations announced earlier today by IRN, with Hallam FM receiving five nominations, and 105.4 Century FM a close second with four. Real Radio Scotland received three nominations and Capital 95.8, Radio City and Viking FM were amongst those to receive two. (more)

Sainsbury issues bribe warning in potato probe
From The Times. Posted March 22 2008, 10.30pm
J SAINSBURY has written to its main suppliers after The Sunday Times revealed last week that the supermarket giant was embroiled in a £3m bribes investigation. (more)

Tower FM supports local boxer
From Radio Today. Posted March 18 2008, 8.23am
Boxing star Amir Khan has been taking time out from his training to help out Sainsbury's Sport Relief Mile, which is back by his local station Tower FM. (more)

Radiohead deny Glastonbury rumours
From Digital Spy. Posted March 13 2008, 4.42pm
Radiohead's Thom Yorke denies rumours the band pulled out of Glastonbury on environmental grounds. (more)

Misleading statement on Dewsbury Press figures 'not to be repeated'
From Hold the Front Page. Posted March 10 2008, 4.00am
ASA upholds complaint from rival Yorkshire newspaper group (more)

Treasury mandarins urge rethink on tax plans
From Daily Telegraph. Posted March 9 2008, 12.01am
Treasury officials are making last ditch attempts to convince ministers to drop controversial plans to tax tens of thousands of family businesses more heavily ahead of Wednesday's Budget, The Sunday Telegraph has learned. (more)

BBC Tees 1 - 0 Century Radio
From Radio Today. Posted March 7 2008, 2.36pm
The longest serving presenter of Century Radio in the North East has defected to the BBC. Football commentator Alistair Brownlee is leaving the GMG station to join BBC Tees, formerly BBC Radio Cleveland, after commentating on Middlesbrough FC matches with Century for 12 years. (more)

Sikh outrage at BBC Radio 4 investigation
From Biz Asia. Posted March 5 2008, 7.59pm
Members of the Sikh community are in fury over a BBC Radio 4 programme which linked Sikhs with Al Qaeda. (more)

Supermac's Radio Dream Team
From Radio Today. Posted March 5 2008, 10.48am
Legendary England and Newcastle striker Malcolm Macdonald is to present a second series on footballing heroes for Real and Century Radio. (more)

Watchdog rules Dewsbury Press ad was misleading
From Press Gazette. Posted March 5 2008, 12.00am
The Dewsbury Press has been criticised by the advertising industry watchdog for running a misleading and unfair advert that claimed the independent weekly newspaper reached 42,000 homes every weekend. (more)

Yorke: 'Glasto isn't green friendly'
From Digital Spy. Posted February 28 2008, 12.45pm
Thom Yorke claims Radiohead aren't playing Glastonbury because of a lack of local transport. (more)

Reporter retires after nearly half a century with the same paper
From Hold the Front Page. Posted February 27 2008, 1.20am
Derbyshire Times newsman hangs up his notepad after becoming paper's longest-serving reporter (more)

Global strikes deal with Fox
From Radio Today. Posted February 22 2008, 12.12pm
Heart 106.2 has secured a year-long deal with 20th Century Fox to promote seven high-profile movies over the next 12 months. (more)

Shearer covers Graham at GMG
From Radio Today. Posted February 22 2008, 12.01am
Dave Shearer, currently programme controller at Wave 105 is leaving the Bauer station to join GMG Radio to cover maternity leave at Century Radio. (more)

Bury Times appoints first female editor
From Hold the Front Page. Posted February 21 2008, 3.25am
Digital development editor takes on new challenge (more)

Chance for newspaper readers to become a virtual judge and jury online
From Hold the Front Page. Posted February 21 2008, 2.25am
Exclusive interactive courtroom scenarios launched in conjunction with Crown Prosecution Service (more)

Tommy Sheridan's wife and father-in-law charged with perjury during libel trial
From Media Guardian. Posted February 20 2008, 12.01am
Tommy Sheridan's wife has been charged with perjury following his libel victory against the News of the World. By Severin Carrell (more)

Archbishop's aide tells jury 'my blood froze' over Mail story
From Media Guardian. Posted February 18 2008, 6.03pm
A former top aide of the Archbishop of Westminster told a jury today how his 'blood froze' when he read a Daily Mail article about his ex-girlfriend having an abortion. By Chris Tryhorn (more)

One goes Live in 2008
From Radio Today. Posted February 18 2008, 11.53am
BBC Radio 1 has announced details of the station's live music coverage for 2008, including gigs in Glastonbury and Ibiza. (more)

Tommy Sheridan libel witness arrested in perjury probe
From Press Gazette. Posted February 15 2008, 12.00am
A friend of former socialist MSP Tommy Sheridan, who backed him in his News of the World defamation trial, has been arrested by police investigating perjury claims. (more)

CNBC Europe to screen 'luxury' shows
From Media Guardian. Posted February 13 2008, 7.07am
CNBC Europe is expanding into 'luxury lifestyle programming', and will offer Jay Leno's Tonight Show alongside yachting and high-end travel shows. By Jemima Kiss (more)

Drunken mother named in cruelty case after appeal by Mercury
From Hold the Front Page. Posted February 13 2008, 12.45am
"Magistrates should not be imposing orders willy-nilly" - editor (more)

Radio 4 host cleared of raping student
From Digital Spy. Posted February 8 2008, 4.27pm
BBC Radio 4 presenter Nigel Wrench is cleared of raping a student by a jury at the Old Bailey. (more)

BBC presenter drugged and raped man, Old Bailey jury told
From Media Guardian. Posted February 5 2008, 12.11am
A BBC Radio 4 presenter drugged and raped a man he met at a New Year's Eve party after inviting him home to see his art collection, a court was told yesterday (more)

Co-location request for kmfm
From Radio Today. Posted February 1 2008, 12.56am
The latest co-location request to Ofcom has come from kmfm Canterbury, which has been granted permission to move studios and presenters to a new complex 15 miles away in Ashford. However, the sales and news team will continue to be based in Canterbury. (more)

Smoothly does it in London
From Radio Today. Posted January 31 2008, 8.31am
After numerous relaunches and lineup changes, GMG Radio's 102.2 Smooth Radio finally has something to shout about, with the best hours of any commercial radio station in London. Real Radio Scotland is now more listened to than Capital, while there were losses for both Century stations. (more)

Gaudoin to edit WSJ luxury magazine
From Media Guardian. Posted January 29 2008, 11.12am
The paper has hired Tina Gaudoin, a former Wapping colleague of editor Robert Thomson's, to edit its new luxury magazine. By Stephen Brook (more)

ļ»æRegionalsā€™ fury at BBC web plan
From Press Gazette. Posted January 28 2008, 12.00am
?The BBC has prompted a new rift with the regional press by planning a network of 60 ultra-local websites. (more)

Regional newspapersā€™ fury at BBC local web plan
From Press Gazette. Posted January 28 2008, 12.00am
The BBC has prompted a new rift with the regional press by planning a network of 60 ultra-local websites. (more)

Century Radio DJ Fan Admits Harassment
From Merry Media. Posted January 26 2008, 10.24am
A fan of a Century Radio DJ was given a community order by magistrates in Gateshead after he admitted harassing Century Radio presenter Judie McCourt. . (more)

BBC celebrates 50 years of Paddington
From Media Guardian. Posted January 22 2008, 7.32am
Radio 4 has placed 50 Paddington Bears in railway stations around the country to mark half a century of the children's classic. By John Plunkett (more)

Brackenbury roadshow announced
From Radio Today. Posted January 14 2008, 1.46pm
Following his sell-out Edinburgh show last year, Ivan Brackenbury is taking to the road to tour the UK. (more)

Ivan goes on tour and Radio 2
From Radio Today. Posted January 14 2008, 1.46pm
Following his sell-out Edinburgh show last year, the UKā€™s most famous hospital radio DJ Ivan Brackenbury is to take his roadshow across the UK, beginning a 27 date tour at the end of the month. It has also been announced he will make his presentation debut on Radio 2 later this year. (more)

Dewsbury Press editor ā€confidentā€™ as libel retrial looms
From Press Gazette. Posted January 14 2008, 12.00am
The editor of an independent newspaper is set to represent himself in court against some of the countryā€™s top media lawyers in a libel battle with his local MP. (more)

Newspaper switches to tabloid after more than a century as broadsheet
From Hold the Front Page. Posted January 12 2008, 12.00am
New look weekly edition already proves a big hit with readers (more)

Oliver says sorry to Sainsbury's for chicken outburst
From Media Guardian. Posted January 10 2008, 11.43pm
Ā· Chef attacked grocer for missing TV farming debateĀ· Apology follows phone talk with chief executive (more)

New MD for GMG Radio NW
From Radio Today. Posted January 10 2008, 4.17pm
Andy Carter has become the new managing director of GMG Radio in the north west of England, where he will oversee Smooth Radio and Century Radio. (more)

Less Fun but more jazz on DAB
From Radio Today. Posted January 9 2008, 8.32pm
It might not seem big news in the 21st century for a station to go stereo but a year after launch and Classic FM's sister station theJazz has secured extra capacity on the Digital One national multiplex. The station now transmits a stereo signal DAB at 128kbps. (more)

Century gets real makeover
From Radio Today. Posted January 7 2008, 8.32am
Two regional radio stations in the north of England have changed image today as Century FM becomes Century Radio. (more)

British journalist escapes injury in fatal car park shoot-out
From Press Gazette. Posted January 2 2008, 12.00am
A former British n nfight outside his office in the Bahamas this Christmas in which a policeman was shot dead. (more)

Irish Mail's Paul Drury appointed managing editor
From Press Gazette. Posted December 27 2007, 12.00am
Paul Drury, executive editor of the Irish Daily Mail and the Irish Mail on Sunday, is moving to the job of managing editor. (more)

Alex Stepney signs for Century
From Radio Today. Posted December 24 2007, 3.15am
Manchester United goalkeeping hero Alex Stepney is joining Century FMā€™s Legends team, replacing long-term host Mickey Thomas. (more)

Reynolds Defence guidance given in latest round of Dewsbury Press libel battle
From Press Gazette. Posted December 21 2007, 12.00am
The countryā€™s senior libel judge has thrown new light on the criteria necessary if the "Reynolds Defence" of privilege is to succeed in libel actions. (more)

Mediacom gets GMG contract
From Radio Today. Posted December 19 2007, 4.01pm
GMG Radio has appointed MediaCom to handle the media buying for its 13 stations across the UK. GMG Radioā€™s brands - Smooth, Real, Century and Rock Radio brands and MediaCom - will begin new campaigns adopting a broad multi-media approach in 2008. (more)

Hertfordshire Mercury names new editor
From Hold the Front Page. Posted December 19 2007, 12.00am
Weekly series is taken on by man who moved up through the ranks (more)

80 years of the Daily Service
From Radio Today. Posted December 18 2007, 3.52pm
BBC Radio 4 is celebrating 80 years of the Daily Service with a special week of presenters including the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Archbishop of Westminster. (more)

Strike averted at Leicester Mercury after pay deal
From Press Gazette. Posted December 18 2007, 12.00am
Journalists at the Leicester Mercury have settled their pay dispute a month after voting in favour of industrial action. (more)

Century FM relaunches for 2008
From Radio Today. Posted December 17 2007, 1.32pm
EXCLUSIVE FIRST LOOK: Over a year on from their change in ownership, both Century FM stations, based in the North West and North East, of England will relaunch in January 2008 as Century Radio, with a new logo and new production. (more)

Century FM rebrands for 2008
From Radio Today. Posted December 17 2007, 1.32pm
Over a year on from their change in ownership, both Century FM stations, based in the North West and North East, of England will re-brand in January 2008 as Century Radio, with new production, jingles and a new logo to match sister stations Real Radio. (more)

Mercury journalists abandon strike threat to accept original pay offer
From Hold the Front Page. Posted December 17 2007, 12.00am
Journalists had claimed a below inflation pay offer left them behind the going rate (more)

Sheridan charged with perjury in News of the World defamation case
From Press Gazette. Posted December 17 2007, 12.00am
Former socialist MSP Tommy Sheridan is facing an uncertain future after being charged with perjury following a probe into his defamation case against the News of the World. (more)

GMG gives Century FM a new name and new logo
From thenoise.co.uk. Posted December 14 2007, 2.33pm
GMG Radio is to rename its two Century FM stations in the north-east and north-west. The stations will become Century Radio from the new year, and will adopt the same logo as that currently used by Real Radio. The name change coincides with the start of GCap Media’s contract to sell airtime across all of GMG’s radio [...] (more)

New programmer at Tindle
From Radio Today. Posted December 13 2007, 8.36am
Tindle Radio's Kick FM has a new pogramme mananger. Chris Rose, who has been station manager at the Newbury station for two and a half years will now oversee the programming at the station too. (more)

Seven Squared to launch two new Sainsbury's magazines
From Press Gazette. Posted December 12 2007, 12.00am
Customer Publisher Seven Squared is launching two new magazines for Sainsburyā€™s. (more)

Beating the drum: Cadbury gorilla is voted favourite TV ad for 2007
From Media Guardian. Posted December 10 2007, 11.53pm
Ā· Cult commercial comes top in website poll Ā· Chocolate giant promises more of same next year (more)

Capital 95.8 Support Simpsons Movie DVD
From Merry Media. Posted December 8 2007, 1.02am
Capital 95.8 signed a deal with 20th Century Fox to support the DVD release of The Simpsons Movie on 10th December 2007. Listeners of Johnny Vaughan's Breakfast Show will be invited to text in and guess how fast a Simpsons Movie character is talking. . (more)

Vaughan in Simpsons push
From Radio Today. Posted December 7 2007, 12.17pm
Capital 95.8 is running a promotion next week to support the DVD release of The Simpsons Movie on 10th December. The multi media deal with 20th Century Fox will give listeners the chance to win a VIP trip to Hollywood for a tour of the Fox Studios on Johnny Vaughan's breakfast show. (more)

Treasury 'wants Rock bidding war'
From BBC News. Posted December 3 2007, 8.00am
Chancellor Alistair Darling has asked the Northern Rock to consider other bids, the Financial Times reports. (more)

Mercury journalists vote to take industrial action
From Hold the Front Page. Posted December 3 2007, 12.00am
Crunch meeting on Thursday to decide the way forward (more)

Leicester Mercury staff vote for industrial action
From Press Gazette. Posted December 3 2007, 12.00am
Strike action could be coming to the Leicester Mercury within two weeks after NUJ chapel members voted in favour of industrial action in a row over pay. (more)

Sunday Mercury wins newspaper of the year
From Press Gazette. Posted November 27 2007, 12.00am
Birminghamā€™s ā€Sunday Mercuryā€™ scooped newspaper of the year at Birmingham Press Clubā€™s annual Midlands Media, beating long-standing champions, the Stoke-on-Trent Sentinel. (more)

Libel action halted as jury fails to reach a verdict on newspaper publisher
From Hold the Front Page. Posted November 26 2007, 12.00am
No word on whether there will be further High Court proceedings in MP vs Dewsbury Press action (more)

Dewsbury Press forced to wait on MP libel trial verdict
From Press Gazette. Posted November 23 2007, 12.00am
The jury in the libel action brought by Labour minister Shahid Malik was discharged today after failing to reach a verdict. (more)

Sunday Mercury scoops top prize at awards ceremony
From Hold the Front Page. Posted November 22 2007, 12.00am
Sentinel defeated by weekly title after four years at the top - click through to read the full winners' list (more)

'Sub-inflation' pay rises spark Mercury vote on strike action
From Hold the Front Page. Posted November 20 2007, 12.00am
Vote is designed to bring company back to the bargaining table at Midlands title (more)

IBA gets another reprieve
From Media Network Weblog. Posted November 18 2007, 12.01pm
The Israel Broadcasting Authority, which has been walking a financial tightrope for several years with repeated threats of closure spurred by growing deficits, has once again won a reprieve. An agreement was signed with the Treasury on Thursday night by Eran Horn, the IBA’s deputy director-general for finances. The agreement enables the transfer of interim [...] (more)

Profile: Jill Dando
From Media Guardian. Posted November 15 2007, 11.54am
From the Western Mercury to the front cover of the Radio Times, Tara Conlan looks at the life of the BBC television star (more)

MP claims Dewsbury Press 'hounded' him over election
From Press Gazette. Posted November 14 2007, 12.00am
The MP for Dewsbury claims the weekly paper published accusations from a rival that he was an ā€extremistā€¯ running a ā€military campaignā€¯ in the May 2006 local elections to persuade Asian voters to support their ā€Muslim brothersā€¯. (more)

Picture Special: Spire FM Hold Annual Spireworks Event
From Merry Media. Posted November 10 2007, 5.53pm
Salisbury radio station 102 Spire FM held its annual Spireworks event last Saturday, 3rd November. 5,000 people turned up for the fireworks display, bonfire and stage entertainment.. (more)

Real producer heads home
From Radio Today. Posted November 9 2007, 8.13am
Craig Stewart, station producer for Real Radio in Wales is heading home to the north east to take over the same role at Century FM in Newcastle. Craig started his career at Sun FM and has also worked at Smooth in Manchester. (more)

Only one answer to the Rock regulatory problem
From The Times. Posted November 7 2007, 12.00am
Mervyn King put up a better show in his BBC radio interview last night than he did in front of MPs on the Treasury Select Committee in September. Of course, the Bank of England Governor has now had more time to reflect on the horrors of the Northern Rock scandal and, the sceptics would say, to perfect and polish his version of events. (more)

5,000 watch annual Spireworks
From Radio Today. Posted November 6 2007, 12.10am
Salisbury's 102 Spire FM held its annual 'Spireworks' event on Saturday and saw a crowd of five thousand turn up for the event. A local rotary club were also raising money for charity at the evening, which included a large bonfire and stage entertainment from the radio station. (more)

Pearson sells French business title to luxury-brand group
From Media Guardian. Posted November 5 2007, 11.58pm
Financial Times publisher Pearson has completed the controversial sale of its French newspaper Les Echos to LVMH, the luxury goods company controlled by multi-billionaire Bernard Arnault. (more)

Luxury HD channel extends over Asia
From Rapid TV News. Posted October 30 2007, 8.03pm
Luxe TV, a pioneer high-def broadcaster over Europe, has secured carriage on AsiaSat from Hong Kong. (more)

Paparazzo offered Diana crash images for Ā£300,000, jury told
From Media Guardian. Posted October 30 2007, 7.47am
Photographer called a British tabloid newspaper from the Paris underpass where Princess Diana lay fatally injured, inquest hears. (more)

My Life In Media: Presenter Julia Bradbury
From The Independent. Posted October 29 2007, 12.20am
Julia Bradbury, 35, is the presenter of BBC1's Watchdog. She has presented the consumer affairs programme for two years alongside Nicky Campbell, and has previously appeared on Top Gear and the launches of both Channel 5 and Live! TV. Born in Ireland, Bradbury grew up in the UK and now lives in central London. She works with the British Heart Foundation to encourage people to exercise more. (more)

Pak music industry fury at BBC Asian Network
From Biz Asia. Posted October 26 2007, 7.42pm
This week's Eastern Eye paper is reporting that the BBC Asian Network has been accused by some in the music industry of ignoring Pakistani tunes on its radio shows. (more)

Real Radio passes 30 per cent
From Radio Today. Posted October 25 2007, 7.47am
Real Radio Scotland is the headline success for Guardian Media Group this quarter, with the station now reporting a weekly reach of 31 per cent across Scotland's central belt. Century FM northwest is also celebrating, adding an extra million listening hours since Q2. (more)

19th century newspapers go digital
From Media Guardian. Posted October 23 2007, 1.00am
One million pages of text from 19th century publications have been put online as part of a British Library project to digitise its journals. By Liz Ford. (more)

ITV accused of 'burying bad news'
From Press Gazette. Posted October 18 2007, 12.00am
The Liberal Democrat shadow culture secretary has accused ITV of "burying bad news" after it released the findings of a damning report into phone-ins on the same day as the BBC announced swingeing job cuts. (more)

ITV denies 'burying bad news'
From Press Gazette. Posted October 18 2007, 12.00am
The Liberal Democrat shadow culture secretary has accused ITV of "burying bad news" after it released the findings of a damning report into phone-ins on the same day as the BBC announced swingeing job cuts. (more)

PHOTOS: Northeast Radio Night
From Radio Today. Posted October 16 2007, 8.49am
Radio people from across the north east gathered in Newcastle at the weekend for the official 2007 Radio Today radio quiz. Congratulations to Century FM PC Paul Smith, Radio 1's Anna Lee, Alex Lester of Radio 2 and John Foster from BBC Tees who formed the winning team. (more)

Radio Version of "War of the Worlds" Panicked America in 1938
From radio.about.com. Posted October 16 2007, 5.50am
On October 30, 1938, Orson Welles and the Mercury Theatre performed a radio play based on an H.G. Wells story entitled "War of the Worlds". The national broadcast caused... (more)

Charity honours Mercury with top award
From Hold the Front Page. Posted October 16 2007, 12.00am
Newspaper's "invaluable support" is recognised as reader interest drives animal welfare coverage (more)

Obitaury: Ronnie Hazlehurst
From Media Guardian. Posted October 12 2007, 1.00am
Obituary: His catchy theme tunes graced many of the BBC's light entertainment shows. By Christopher Hawtree. (more)

Nick Jackson joins Virgin
From Radio Today. Posted October 11 2007, 7.33pm
Former BRMB drive-time presenter Nick Jackson is joining Virgin Radio as host of the weekend breakfast show. He has previously worked for Original 106, Century FM and Trent FM. His new show, each Saturday and Sunday from 6am till 10am starts this weekend. (more)

Sheep-throwing scoop down to Mercury reporter's good contacts
From Hold the Front Page. Posted October 11 2007, 12.00am
Vicky gets to the bottom of ugly row for front page tale (more)

Northeast radio stations unite
From Radio Today. Posted October 10 2007, 12.33am
The northeast radio night will see teams from across the region battle it out to be crowned radio champions in a unique radio industry quiz night, taking place this weekend in Newcastle. Will it be the Mighty Metro Mob, the Clever Century Clan or another station team walking away with the virtual trophy? (more)

A 21st century narrative with many contradictions
From Financial Times. Posted October 9 2007, 3.00am
The ascent skywards in a makeshift elevator to the 34th storey of the China Central Television building in downtown Beijing offers a striking perspective on the... (more)

McCanns give exclusive interview to Leicester Mercury
From Hold the Front Page. Posted October 5 2007, 12.00am
Couple chose to speak to regional paper for first in-depth interview since being made official suspects (more)

Damages for Dewsbury man over Express Sharia court claim
From Press Gazette. Posted October 4 2007, 12.00am
A Dewsbury man today received a public apology and substantial libel damages at Londonā€™s High Court. (more)

GCap in line with expectations
From Radio Today. Posted September 27 2007, 8.10am
GCap Media's advertising revenue over the past three months has been in line with market predictions. Like for like total revenue growth in the second quarter of the financial year is expected to be around 6%, and as forecast, excluding the sale of the Century stations to GMG. (more)

Nineteenth century newspapers to go online
From Press Gazette. Posted September 27 2007, 12.00am
The British Library is set to digitise two million pages from nineteenth century newspapers (more)

British Library plans online archive of 19th century newspapers
From Press Gazette. Posted September 27 2007, 12.00am
The British Library is set to digitise two million pages from nineteenth century newspapers (more)

British Library to put all 19th century newspapers online
From Press Gazette. Posted September 27 2007, 12.00am
The British Library is set to digitise two million pages from nineteenth century newspapers (more)

ITV quiz shake-up prompts new royalty fury from composers
From The Stage. Posted September 26 2007, 11.10am
(more)

Spire FM Team Up with BFBS Radio 1
From Merry Media. Posted September 25 2007, 3.37pm
On Sunday 23rd September, Spire FM teamed up with BFBS Radio 1 for a live broadcast from Salisbury to soldiers on operations in the Middle East.. (more)

Telegraph unveils luxury Sunday magazine
From Brand Republic. Posted September 13 2007, 4.00pm
LONDON - Telegraph Media Group has launched a new biannual luxury fashion magazine called ST Fashion, which will be sold with the Sunday Telegraph. (more)

Ranvir Singh heads new look North West news
From Biz Asia. Posted September 3 2007, 9.51am
Ranvir Singh has been named as the face of BBC One's revamped 'North West Tonight' news show. From Monday 10th September, Singh will co-host with Gordon Burns as part of a major re-launch of the programme. She is already a familiar face on BBC One's Breakfast and late night bulletins. Born in Preston and educated at Lancaster University, where she studied English and philosophy, Ranvir has spent all of her professional career with the BBC. After her degree she returned to Preston to complete a postgraduate qualification in journalism before beginning her broadcasting career at BBC Radio Lancashire, after being offered a sixā€“month contract while still on work experience. She is currently North West Tonightā€™s education reporter. Ranvir says, "I am absolutely thrilled to be joining Gordon and am looking forward to presenting alongside him. I am usually out and about reporting right across the region so it will feel a little strange at first to be sitting in the studio and talking to Gordon directly rather than on location. "This really is my dream job and the North West is such a fantastic place to work, itā€™s very diverse and I know that I will have some interesting and amazing stories to present to our viewers every evening." Ranvir joins the programme as it is given a complete facelift with a new title sequence, graphics and studio set. Editor of North West Tonight, Cerys Griffiths, said, "News provision is becoming increasingly competitive and how people access the news is ever changing. "We need to be able to meet the demands of our viewers with stories that are local, that matter to them and which are accessible at any time of day. "The new look programme and the website are part of a package to deliver news for the 21st century without losing the strong sense of identity that the programme has across the North West region." (more)

Television: Sky broadcasts Diana injury shots
From Media Guardian. Posted August 31 2007, 1.00am
12.45pm: Sky News has aired controversial pictures of Princess Diana being given oxygen at the scene of the Paris car crash that killed her. By Tara Conlan. (more)

'Judges choice' award for Newbury Weekly News photographer
From Hold the Front Page. Posted August 29 2007, 12.00am
Plus: Sale of Trinity Mirror titles to Tindle is complete - and more news in brief (more)

Trainee press photographer suffers serious injury in smash outside work
From Hold the Front Page. Posted August 23 2007, 12.00am
Snapper trapped in wreckage as car is pushed 30 metres along street (more)

Life after Ivan for Tom Binns
From Radio Today. Posted August 21 2007, 9.47am
Heā€™s flying the flag for hospital radio and everyone loves him. Itā€™s Ivan Brackenburyā€™s Hospital Radio Roadshow currently entertaining the masses with sold out shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. "The funniest thing Iā€™ve seen so far", says a Times reporter. But what's next? (more)

Mercury breaks the mould with instant royal visit video
From Hold the Front Page. Posted August 21 2007, 12.00am
Reporters 'wing it' with little video training as weekly decides coverage is a must (more)

Fire and Spire boost TLRC
From Radio Today. Posted August 16 2007, 2.49pm
Splitting Yorkshire Coast Radio off from Minster FM's RAJAR survey and letting it go-alone has proved a good PR move for TLRC. There was perhaps some overlap in the TSAs, as a crass combination of the separate figures shows an increase of 7,000 listeners and just short of 200,000 extra hours. Fire 107.6 was TLRC's big winner this quarter, whilst Sailsbury's Spire FM posted its best reach (000s) in three years. (more)

More Boro for Century FM
From Radio Today. Posted August 9 2007, 12.37pm
In response to Middlesborough match commentary moving to BBC Radio Cleveland, GMG Radio's Century FM is introducing a Sunday lunchtime show on their 100.7 frequency dedicated to all things Boro. The new show will start this weekend, hosted by Bernie Slaven and Ali Brownles. (more)

Xfm bags Manchester United
From Radio Today. Posted August 4 2007, 5.58pm
EXCLUSIVE: It's a case of Century FM 0 - Xfm 1 as live commentary rights on every Manchester United game switches from 105.4 Century FM to 97.7 Xfm. Legendary United winger Micky Thomas and commentary veteran Gary Weaver are signed up to provide FM coverage from the start of the new season. (more)

Net football deal for Spire FM
From Radio Today. Posted August 1 2007, 12.19am
TLRC station Spire FM will be providing live commentary of Salisbury City's home and away games online next season. In addition, regular updates will be provided on FM whilst the matches are taking place. Life-long Whites fan Justin Edwards will be providing full live commentary on the newly promoted team. (more)

Spire FM Live Commentary of Salisbury City Games
From Merry Media. Posted July 31 2007, 4.09pm
Spire FM will be making station history by providing live commentary of Salisbury City's home and away games online, via their website at spirefm.co.uk. Life-long Whites fan Justin Edwards will be providing full live commentary.. (more)

It's a Knockout at Spire FM!
From Radio Today. Posted July 27 2007, 12.26am
Spire FM helped raise Ā£10,000 for Naomi House Children's Hospice during the annual It's a Knockout event in Salisbury. A hundred people took part in the event organised by Spire FM and helped raise the money for its chosen charity of the year. (more)

Mercury axes website hate mail aimed at McCanns
From Hold the Front Page. Posted July 26 2007, 12.00am
Editor reveals hundreds of comments are posted each week which cannot be used (more)

Boaden apologises to Treasury over Newsnight film
From Media Guardian. Posted July 25 2007, 1.00am
4.45pm: The BBC has apologised to the Treasury over a recent Newsnight report on Gordon Brown. By Tara Conlan. (more)

Capital 95.8 Simpsons Movie Campaign
From Merry Media. Posted July 24 2007, 10.26am
GCap Media have signed an exclusive deal with 20th Century Fox to undertake a promotional campaign for the premiere release of The Simpsons Movie.. (more)

Simpsons deal for Capital 95.8
From Radio Today. Posted July 24 2007, 9.22am
Capital 95.8 is to become the official radio station of the new Simpsons movie, in a six-figure deal between GCap Media and 20th Century Fox. Capital will create various Simpsons related stunts including an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for building the tallest doughnut tower. (more)

BBC spends £68,000 on Glastonbury hospitality
From Media Guardian. Posted July 23 2007, 1.00am
8am: The BBC spent £68,000 on corporate hospitality during its coverage of the Glastonbury festival. By Ben Dowell. (more)

Journalist still smiling after injury cuts short eight-country solo cycle ride
From Hold the Front Page. Posted July 20 2007, 12.00am
Sports writer begins book about his adventure - and plans to finish last leg of journey next year (more)

Web radio faces its death knell
From Media Guardian. Posted July 19 2007, 1.00am
Small internet radio stations face being wiped out by a change in royalty calculations - but the fight is far from over, says Danny Bradbury. (more)

Radio Clyde goes cruising
From Radio Today. Posted July 18 2007, 9.21am
Radio Clyde had a temporary new home at the weekend, moving from a studio box to a 42 foot long luxury yacht. The station was helping Glasgow attract over 85,000 people to this year's River Festival. "The Radio Clyde Cruiser", as it was known, was captained by Clyde 2ā€™s Bill Smith. (more)

Sainsbury's 'weighs £12bn offer'
From BBC News. Posted July 18 2007, 5.49am
Sainsbury's is approached by a Middle Eastern investment fund about a possible £12bn takeover, the FT claims. (more)

Picture Special: Spire FM Raise £10k for Charity
From Merry Media. Posted July 16 2007, 4.07pm
Spire FM have helped raise £10,000 for Naomi House Children's Hospice during the annual It's A Knockout event in Salisbury. Around 100 people took part in the event that was organised by Spire FM.. (more)

Century FM Sign Sunderland Commentary Deal
From Merry Media. Posted July 15 2007, 8.26pm
Century FM has struck a two-year deal with Premier League side Sunderland AFC to bring full match commentary on every Sunderland game to listeners across the North East of England.. (more)

BBC Spend £70k on Entertaining MPs at Glastonbury
From Merry Media. Posted July 15 2007, 4.02pm
£70,000 was spent by the BBC on looking after and entertaining MPs and other guests at this year's Glastonbury Festival. The concert saw 10 star premium tickets given to 5 MPs at a cost of £255 each.. (more)

Treasury complains to BBC about Gordon Brown film
From Media Guardian. Posted July 15 2007, 1.00am
The BBC was involved in a fresh row last night after Newsnight admitted mixing up the chronology in a film about Gordon Brown. By Vanessa Thorpe, David Smith and Nicholas Watt. (more)

IBA management committee, plenum give green light to proposed reforms
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 9 2007, 10.27am
The Management Committee and plenum of the Israel Broadcasting Authority gave the green light on Sunday to a series of proposed reforms designed to take the IBA out of the economic, technological and administrative doldrums and sweep it onto the cutting edge of 21st century broadcasting. The good news for all those who were afraid that [...] (more)

GMG turns listeners into DJs
From Radio Today. Posted June 28 2007, 9.45am
Century FM northeast is letting listeners co-host the breakfast show this week. The opportunity to let loyal listeners loose on the GMG station came as Lisa Shaw from the Scott and Lisa Breakfast Show took a week off. Scott Makin has the pleasure of looking after the five special guests. (more)

Jury told to 'follow the money'
From Media Guardian. Posted June 27 2007, 1.00am
Jurors in the Conrad Black trial were urged to follow an alleged trail of embezzlement ending at the door of the former Daily Telegraph owner. By Andrew Clark. (more)

Lee Finan joins Century FM
From Radio Today. Posted June 26 2007, 8.18am
Former Metro FM and Sun FM presenter Lee Finan is the latest recruit at GMG Radio's Century FM in Newcastle. Lee will cover mid-mornings from July 2nd then move to a regular show in August. He has been on the northeast airwaves for over 14 years. (more)

Glastonbury coverage lifts BBC3 audience
From Media Guardian. Posted June 26 2007, 1.00am
Coverage of Glastonbury helped push BBC3 to its best ever audience share and reach last week. By Leigh Holmwood. (more)

News restructure at GMG
From Radio Today. Posted June 21 2007, 4.05pm
GMG Radio is to set up three news 'hubs' in Manchester, London and Glasgow to produce bespoke regionalised bulletins for its 11 stations, 24 hours a day. The group, owners of the Real, Century, Smooth and Rock Radio brands, is also announcing new plans for bespoke Content Editors to create news material across broadcast and web platforms. Extra journalists are to be recruited in the North East ahead of the launch of GMG's sixth Smooth Radio station later this year. (more)

Mail and Mercury praised for work on community integration and cohesion
From Hold the Front Page. Posted June 15 2007, 12.00am
Regional titles are singled out for praise in new Government report (more)

Tony takes home the bacon
From Radio Today. Posted June 12 2007, 10.03am
Tony Blackburn and his Classic Gold breakfast show teamed up with Sainsburyā€™s recently to promote Danish Bacon. The promotion ran across the Classic Gold network to highlight awareness of Sainsburyā€™s Danish Bacon and to encourage more readers to Sainsburyā€™s Magazine. (more)

Fury at BBC decision to curtail credits
From The Stage. Posted June 5 2007, 1.50pm
(more)

Madeleine kidnap dominates local news pages as Mercury raises cash for family
From Hold the Front Page. Posted June 1 2007, 12.00am
Regional reporter spent three weeks 'on ground' in Portugal as title focused on local story abroad (more)

GCap profits down 35 percent
From Radio Today. Posted May 30 2007, 8.23am
Britain's biggest commercial radio group, GCap Media, has announced year on year profits are down 35 percent to 14.4 million pounds, despite seeing an improvement in the advertising market. The figure includes offloading the Century stations to GMG Radio in October 2006. (more)

Newsquest wins right to Banbury Cake web name
From

Media UK

URY 1350AM - news archive