http://www.mediauk.com/ Radio news feed en-gb This compilation copyright 1994-2010 Media UK; individual stories with contributors Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:24:36 +0000 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:24:36 +0000 http://www.mediauk.com/article/4733 Media UK wizardry admin@mediauk.com (Not At All Bad Ltd) 10 http://www.mediauk.com/radio/news/go/97826?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=rss_newsfeeds&utm_campaign=XML Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:37:00 +0000 Jason Manford claims that he was dropped from a slot on Capital FM because he is northern. http://www.mediauk.com/radio/news/go/97826 http://www.mediauk.com/radio/news/go/97818?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=rss_newsfeeds&utm_campaign=XML Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:31:25 +0000 The majority of local broadcasters in the Netherlands receive insufficient support from the council. A good deal of the councils do not pass on the full amount that they receive from the government to support their local broadcaster. That’s according to Ilja Geukers from the Organisation of Local Broadcasters in the Netherlands (OLON). Since 1 January [...] http://www.mediauk.com/radio/news/go/97818 http://www.mediauk.com/radio/news/go/97812?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=rss_newsfeeds&utm_campaign=XML Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:06:49 +0000 Big Band Special, The Organist Entertains and comedy hour shifted to make way for new documentary slotBBC Radio 2 is to move two of its longest-running shows, Big Band Special and The Organist Entertains, and switch its hour-long comedy slot for the second time in 12 months.Big Band Special will be extended from 30 minutes to one hour but will be moved an hour later to 11pm and air on alternate weeks, sharing its Monday night slot with Jools Holland. Nigel Ogden's The Organist Entertains will move from Tuesdays to Thursdays in a new 10pm slot.The shows make way for a new regular documentary slot airing on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10pm. The new documentary strand also means Trevor Nelson's soul, hip-hop and R&B show moves an hour later to 11pm on Wednesday.Radio 2's comedy hour, which was only shifted out of its Saturday lunchtime home last year, moves again from Thursday to Saturday night.In other changes, Aled Jones's Good Morning Sunday programme will begin an hour earlier, at 6am. As confirmed yesterday, the Thursday night edition of Mark Radcliffe and Stuart Maconie's show will be axed to make way for a new live music strand, Radio 2 In Concert.The new schedule comes a week after BBC director general Mark Thompson's strategy review called for "higher profile slots" for the speech content on the station.Bob Shennan, Radio 2 controller, said: "These changes demonstrate our continuing efforts to evolve the schedule and ensure that Radio 2 remains distinctive, focusing on our commitment to documentary, comedy and live music programming.  "They follow recent announcements on a new jazz show presented by Jamie Cullum, a revision of our arts programming, and a refreshed and extended Friday Night Is Music Night. We hope that listeners will enjoy this new schedule and find it easy to navigate the wide variety of programming that the network has to offer."More details soon...• To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email editor@mediaguardian.co.uk or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000.• If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".Radio 2BBCRadio industryJohn Plunkettguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds http://www.mediauk.com/radio/news/go/97812 http://www.mediauk.com/radio/news/go/97796?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=rss_newsfeeds&utm_campaign=XML Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:59:50 +0000 Five will be 'a valuable asset' for shareholders as UK TV market consolidates, says parent company chief executiveGerhard Zeiler, the chief executive of Channel Five's parent company RTL, said today that the group remained "100%" committed to the broadcaster despite last year's loss, noting that it will be a "valuable asset" in the expected consolidation of the UK TV market.Zeiler, who earlier today reported an overall loss of €41m (£37m) at Five last year, and an operating loss of £8m, added that backing the UK subsidiary remained in the best interests of RTL shareholders."As I have said before, not only for the the fourth and fifth [sized TV companies] but other players in the [UK] market, consolidation will come," he said. "To take part in the consolidation, as I'm 100% sure Five will, is a valuable asset. So it is the right decision and in the interests of shareholders to stay in the [UK] market."When MediaGuardian.co.uk asked for further clarification, Zeiler added that taking part in the consolidation process in the UK broadcasting sector did not equate to a concession that Five was not viable unless it was merged with another player."We stay 100% committed to Five, we believe in the standalone viability of Five," he said. "In the worst [advertising] crisis of 2009 the operating loss was [just] £8m. There is a standalone value to Five and in addition to that, a second chapter, is that there is also additional value in the consolidation process. There will be consolidation and we will take part in that, as will others – the endgame will be different in terms of numbers of players."Zeiler added that Five, which made savings of 19% or £65m last year through job cuts and reducing the programming budget, was at the end of its cost-cutting strategy."There is nothing planned [in terms of cost cutting]," he said. "When you see the market going up it is also good news for us. Our whole approach to costs in all markets over Europe is that we have to be flexible."But if there were not a sustained recovery this year, he added, then Five would have to look again at its cost base.Zeiler indicated that the UK was one market where RTL – which predominantly owns advertiser-funded, free to air commercial TV and radio networks across Europe – would not look to move into pay-TV, although it is looking at opportunities elsewhere."The stronger you are the better you are in a position to do so [exploit pay-TV opportunities]," he said. "The UK is very much crowded compared to other markets."Zeiler was also cautious about interpreting how much commercial broadcasters will benefit from the BBC's strategic review which is, in part, designed to leave more room for rivals to develop their businesses."We all will see if there are opportunities for commercial television broadcasters when the new government is in and the first discussions are had between the BBC and the government," he said.• To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email editor@mediaguardian.co.uk or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000.• If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".Channel FiveRTLTelevision industryMedia businessMark Sweneyguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds http://www.mediauk.com/radio/news/go/97796 http://www.mediauk.com/radio/news/go/97786?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=rss_newsfeeds&utm_campaign=XML Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:56:02 +0000 The BBC Trust confirms plans to review Radio 3, Radio 4 and Radio 7, along with all regional services. http://www.mediauk.com/radio/news/go/97786 http://www.mediauk.com/radio/news/go/97809?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=rss_newsfeeds&utm_campaign=XML Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:56:02 +0000 The BBC Trust confirms plans to review Radio 3, Radio 4 and Radio 7, along with all regional services. http://www.mediauk.com/radio/news/go/97809 http://www.mediauk.com/radio/news/go/97791?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=rss_newsfeeds&utm_campaign=XML Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:39:09 +0000 One half of Adam and Joe returning with solo 'compilation tape' show – with hopes of duo being back on air later in the yearAdam Buxton, one half of BBC 6 Music's award-winning duo Adam and Joe, is to return to the digital station with a solo music show.Buxton, whose Saturday morning breakfast show is on a long-term break while his partner, Joe Cornish, directs a film, said his new show would feature his "favourite weird but accessible music". He hoped Adam and Joe would return later this year.Half of the two-hour show will feature a guest talking about their own favourite music "and just talk generally about any other rubbish that comes up", said Buxton on his blog today.A pilot for the new show, featuring The Mighty Boosh's Julian Barratt, is being recorded tomorrow for broadcast this month."If it all goes to plan Joe and I will be back together for our show later in the year but until then I'm hoping to do a show on my own and this week I'll be recording a pilot for a weekly two-hour show with our regular producer James Stirling in London," Buxton said."It's supposed to be kind of like a compilation tape that I've made for the listeners with a different theme or mood each week. The show is two hours so it's divided into two sides with a guest joining me for an hour to add their own tracks and just talk generally about any other rubbish that comes up."6 Music has been earmarked for closure by BBC director general Mark Thompson's strategy review, prompting a huge backlash from listeners and the music industry."As you may have gathered it's been a turbulent few days for 6 Music," said Buxton. "Last week I was called upon to say my part on Channel 4 News though apart from inviting Mark Thomo Thompson out for some punching I didn't really say anything very useful. All the stirring and important stuff I'd been planning went out of the window as soon as I heard the man in my earpiece telling me we were live in five seconds. After that it was just a question of not weeping or swearing."• To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email editor@mediaguardian.co.uk or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000.• If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".6 MusicBBCRadio industryRadioJohn Plunkettguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds http://www.mediauk.com/radio/news/go/97791 http://www.mediauk.com/radio/news/go/97770?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=rss_newsfeeds&utm_campaign=XML Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:19:44 +0000 Singer Marc Almond is to present a three part series for BBC Radio 2, about Jacques Brel.Production company Made in Manchester has recruited the Soft Cell front-man to explore the life and music of the singer songerwriter. http://www.mediauk.com/radio/news/go/97770 http://www.mediauk.com/radio/news/go/97760?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=rss_newsfeeds&utm_campaign=XML Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:25:00 +0000 Shilpa Shetty appeals to the public to help save the BBC Asian Network. http://www.mediauk.com/radio/news/go/97760 http://www.mediauk.com/radio/news/go/97766?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=rss_newsfeeds&utm_campaign=XML Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:25:00 +0000 Shilpa Shetty appeals to the public to help save the BBC Asian Network. http://www.mediauk.com/radio/news/go/97766 http://www.mediauk.com/radio/news/go/97749?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=rss_newsfeeds&utm_campaign=XML Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:52:02 +0000 The BBC axes Bruce Dickinson's 6 Music rock show and reduces Radcliffe and Maconie's Radio 2 show. http://www.mediauk.com/radio/news/go/97749 http://www.mediauk.com/radio/news/go/97761?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=rss_newsfeeds&utm_campaign=XML Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:52:02 +0000 The BBC axes Bruce Dickinson's 6 Music rock show and reduces Radcliffe and Maconie's Radio 2 show. http://www.mediauk.com/radio/news/go/97761 http://www.mediauk.com/radio/news/go/97745?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=rss_newsfeeds&utm_campaign=XML Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:40:02 +0000 The BBC will launch spinoffs for its main Radio brands after the end of 6 Music, the Asian Network. http://www.mediauk.com/radio/news/go/97745 http://www.mediauk.com/radio/news/go/97762?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=rss_newsfeeds&utm_campaign=XML Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:40:02 +0000 The BBC will launch spinoffs for its main Radio brands after the end of 6 Music, the Asian Network. http://www.mediauk.com/radio/news/go/97762 http://www.mediauk.com/radio/news/go/97734?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=rss_newsfeeds&utm_campaign=XML Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:06:30 +0000 Digital spin-offs and extensions to shows on other BBC radio networks will follow closure of 6 Music and the Asian NetworkThe BBC is to reinvent its digital radio offering around brand extensions of its main five radio networks following the proposed closure of BBC 6 Music and the Asian Network.It is understood that the BBC plans to spend some of the money saved by closing the two stations on digital spin-offs and extensions to programmes already being broadcast on BBC Radio 1, Radio 2, Radio 3, Radio 4 and Radio 5 Live. The BBC spent £16m on content for 6 Music and the Asian Network in the year to the end of March 2009.A similar tactic has proved successful on the BBC's TV channels, with spin-offs such as BBC3's Doctor Who Confidential and BBC2's Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two and The Apprentice: You're Fired.ITV has also enjoyed success in using spin-offs to drive viewers to its digital TV station ITV2, with Britain's Got Talent and The X-Factor spawning Britain's Got More Talent and The Xtra Factor.The mooted new services would be developed along the lines of BBC Radio 5 Live's digital sibling, 5 Live Sports Extra, a non-linear service which unlike 6 Music and the Asian Network does not broadcast around the clock and is relatively cheap to run. The extra digital radio content would also be available online for listening on demand."Just like the Xtra Factor goes backstage and tells you what happened at the X Factor, so Radio 2 could have spin-off digital shows with extra coverage from Glastonbury of the Electric Proms," said one industry executive.One possibility, highlighted by 6 Music DJ Steve Lamacq, was an evening-only digital service comprising the best shows currently on 6 Music and called "Radio 2 Extra". Lamacq said it would be "a bit like having your four-bedroom house compulsorily purchased and replaced with a bedsit on the edge of Heathrow".BBC director general Mark Thompson's strategy review, published last week, had already indicated that BBC Radio 7, the corporation's most successful digital-only network, will be rebranded Radio 4 Extra with closer ties to its parent speech station.Industry sources suggested that the BBC would be looking to develop similar digital spin-off programming across its main radio networks, including BBC Radio 2, which was instructed by the BBC Trust last month to do more to encourage digital take-up among its listeners.5 Live Sports Extra was praised in Thompson's review as providing a "very good model for how digital-only services can naturally complement their analogue sister stations".The BBC has a third "extra" branded digital radio station, BBC Radio 1Xtra, which will be revamped over the next 18 months to strengthen its editorial ties with its parent station, Radio 1.Radio 1Xtra already shares one of the BBC's best-known DJs, Tim Westwood, who recently complained on-air that the station's audience was so low that he had been broadcasting "to absolutely nobody for the last three hours ... It's soul-destroying."So-called "pop-up" radio stations are already a feature of ABC Radio in Australia, which broadcasts on digital for a limited amount of time to cover big events such as the Melbourne arts and culture festival and the 40th anniversary of the moon landings.A BBC spokesman said: "It's too early to speculate on how we might use the funds from the proposed closure of 6 Music, other than to reiterate our commitment to invest it in digital radio content."A substantial digital radio offering from the BBC will be crucial if the industry is ever to achieve its goal of digital switchover.Digital across all three platforms – digital audio broadcasting (DAB) radio, digital TV and online – must account for at least 50% of all radio listening before a two-year switchover plan can kick in. It currently accounts for 20.9%.The digital economy bill currently going through parliament included a target date of 2015 for switchover. Industry executives now say it may not happen until 2020.• To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email editor@mediaguardian.co.uk or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000.• If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".6 MusicDigital radioBBCRadio industryJohn Plunkettguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds http://www.mediauk.com/radio/news/go/97734