Monday, 23 March 2009

XFM announces new big night out

Xfm’s fourth Big Night Out will take place at the O2 Academy Brixton on Thursday, 9th April.

Xfm’s fourth Big Night Out will take place at the O2 Academy Brixton on Thursday, 9th April featuring live performances from The Noisettes, Dinosaur Pile-Up and Trip.


Xfm DJs Alex Zane, Dave Berry, Steve Harris and John Kennedy will also be spinning sets throughout the night, alongside Club Xfm’s resident DJ Mat Horne and Starsailor.

Alex Zane, Xfm’s Breakfast Show host said: “Xfm’s Big Night Out grew from the incredibly popular First Fridays – our monthly club nights hosted by Xfm DJs. When over 4,000 people turned up to last years event it was clear we were onto something good. I have no doubt that this is going to be one hell of a night”.

Past artists that have performed at the event include Hard-Fi, The Fratellis, The View and The Enemy.
Moyles breaches Ofcom rules

Chris Moyles has been found in breach of an Ofcom rule with his impression of Will Young.

Chris Moyles has been found in breach of an Ofcom rule with his impression of Will Young that he aired on BBC Radio 1 on the 20th January this year.


Moyles, while discussing Will Young’s birthday with his team, gave his own take on two of the singer’s hits, Evergreen and Leave Right Now. He then proceeded to imitate the singer, adopting an effeminate, high-pitched voice. On the former, he substituted the song’s lyrics with his own, including the line, “It’s my birthday, gonna wear my new dress tonight”. While on the latter he sang, “I get camper by the hour, oh, would you look at the muck in here. I’m Will Young and I’m gay.”

Ofcom received eight complaints from listeners who were concerned that Chris Moyles ridiculed Will Young because of his sexuality. The complainants also said that
the comments were offensive and derogatory towards the gay community.

In response to the Ofcom’s enquiries as to whether the material had contravened Rule 2.3 of the Code – material that may cause offence must be justified by the context - the BBC responded that Young was not being ridiculed because of his sexuality, though they did concede that Moyles’ comments were misjudged and unacceptable. Adding that the Controller of Radio 1 had since spoken to both Moyles and his production team about the matter in an effort to remind, “not to inadvertently perpetuate certain stereotypes.”

In summing up, Ofcom stated that it was concerned both by the material, and in particular the language used and the tone and manner in which the comments were made. Adding that it had potential to cause considerable offence. Judging that the programme had breached Rule 2.3. It’s the second time that Moyles’ prgramme has breached the Ofcom Code.
Our Heart grows even bigger

The UK's Heart network grew even larger today with the launch of 12 more radio stations in the west of England, at 6am.

The UK's Heart network grew even larger today with the launch of 12 more radio stations in the west of England, at 6am.

The new stations in Bristol, Bath, Wiltshire, Reading, Oxford, Plymouth, South Hams, North Devon, Exeter, Torbay, Somerset and Gloucester have today joined the nine stations which launched across Anglia in phase one on Monday 5th January. Including the three original Heart stations in London, the West Midlands and East Midlands, there is now a total of 24 stations in the current Heart network.

The roll-out of the Heart brand is being supported by a second major advertising communications campaign, including a refreshed “Give it some Heart” TV and cinema commercial. The TV and cinema ad will run across a number of ITV regions including West Country, HTV West, Central South and Meridian Thames Valley, plus London and Anglia. In addition, it will run in Odeon cinemas across the same regions. In the phase two areas, the commercial will be supported by a heavy-weight outdoor campaign, including 6 sheets, 48 sheets and 96 sheets, planned against the target audience. The media has been bought by Mediavest.

Global Radio’s Director of Broadcasting Richard Park said: “We are delighted to make radio history today by welcoming 12 new stations to the Heart family. As the largest commercial radio network in the UK, we are pleased to expand Heart in to new areas, offering a strong and trusted national brand delivered locally to our 25 – 44 year old audience.”

Phase 2 sees the end of GWR Wiltshire, GWR Bristol, GWR Bath, Gemini FM in Exeter and Torbay, Plymouth Sound, Orchard FM, Lantern FM, South Hams Radio, Fox FM in Oxford, Severn Sound and 2-Ten FM in Reading.

Sunday, 22 March 2009

Rosko returns.. to Star 107.5

Gloucestershire's Star 107.5 has hired Emperor Rosko to present a new weekend programme, starting this Saturday.

Gloucestershire's Star 107.5 has hired Emperor Rosko to present a new weekend programme, starting this Saturday.

Rosko will be flying into the UK today to attend the premier of the new movie based on the pirate radio era of the 1960s - The Boat That Rocked. He will also be interviewed for many television programmes before heading to Cheltenham to get to know his new work mates at Star 107.5.

The independent station is now home to former BBC Radio 1 presenter Mike Read, who a daily show from 10am.
More big names on Afan

A Welsh community radio station has signed two more dance music legends to bolster its weekend lineup.

A Welsh community radio station has signed two more dance music legends to bolster its weekend lineup.

Afan FM, in Neath Port Talbot in South Wales, has signed up Jamie Duggan and H2O to present a new Bassline show on the station's “Weekender” lineup.

Duggan is considered by many to the “Godfather of Bassline” and has recently mixed the “Sound of Bassline” CD for Ministry of Sound whilst H2O will be known to many for the smash hit, top 10 single of last year “What’s It Gonna Be”.

Station Manager Hannah Lewis said: "This is another massive signing for us. It shows our commitment to bringing the biggest names to Neath & Port Talbot and also continues our rapid rise as a credible youth-focused alternative to the frankly boring local stations in South Wales.”

Duggan and H2O join the likes of Matt Darey, Agnelli & Nelson and a plethora of local resident DJs at Afan FM and will broadcast their first show on Friday April 3rd at 8pm.

Afan FM is available on 97.4 & 107.9FM across the Neath Port Talbot County Borough and online at www.afanfm.co.uk.
Q and Heat Radio move North

Two of Bauer Media's digital radio stations are moving out of London. Q will move to Birmingham to share resources with Kerrang!, whilst heat radio will move in with Key 103 and The Hits in Manchester.

Two of Bauer Media's digital radio stations are moving out of London. Q will move to Birmingham to share resources with Kerrang!, whilst heat radio will move in with Key 103 and The Hits in Manchester.

Reports suggest up to 15 jobs will be lost in the move, which could result in less investment in each of the brands programming, with fewer presenters dedicated to the output.

Both stations have relaunched with extra investment over the last couple of years, but this latest move suggets a return to their former 'jukebox' style programming.

Bauer released this statement: "Q Radio and Heat Radio are digital stations within Bauer Media's strong network of leading radio brands, and we are therefore well positioned to take advantage of broadcasting from studios around England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

We are proposing to move production of Q Radio to share facilities and resources with our leading Birmingham-based station, Kerrang!, to create a new centre of rock in the Midlands.

We are also proposing to transfer production of Heat Radio to Manchester, home to Smash Hits, the Hits, Magic 1152 and the city's number one station, Key 103. Both stations, however, will retain studios in London. We are immensely proud of both Q Radio and Heat Radio and our commitment to the stations and the quality programming they deliver remains the same as ever."

Saturday, 21 March 2009

A Real jingle deal for Music 4

GMG Radio has chosen Music 4 to produce a new set of jingles for their expanding Real Radio network in the UK.

GMG Radio has chosen Music 4 to produce a new set of jingles for their expanding Real Radio network in the UK.

Music 4, lead by former Atlantic 252 presenter Sandy Beach, has been working on the package for the last six weeks and is currently adding the finishing touches. The new package is expected to start on March 30th, when two Century Radio stations in the north of England changes name to Real Radio, joining sister stations in Wales, Yorkshire and central Scotland.

John Simons, Group Programme Director says: "We’ve always aired high quality jingles on Real Radio and to coincide in with the re-branding of Century to Real, we were looking for a change of style. Music 4 came up with some great ideas for us and we’re looking forward to getting our new jingles on air at the end of March across all five of our stations”

Since shortly after the first Real Radio launched in Wales in 2000, the group has used the Bespoke Music Company for its imaging.

Music 4 already provide the imaging for the Heart network, Chris Moyles Breakfast Show on Radio 1 and Absolute Radio.