Category: Radio

The BBC has announced a new raft of podcasts to be added to those it already serves. The highlight seems to be an audio version of the key Newsnight interview (in the same way as Today offers the 8.10am interview). It’ll be interesting to see how the hourly World Service news download works. If I…

Spot the story that’s been completely contrived for PR purposes on RAJAR day…

I know some people see this as old news, and it’s certainly true that it’s nothing new, but it’s still the case that DAB isn’t exactly everything that it could be. This report is from today’s Telegraph. I have less issue with the BBC than some of the local commercial multiplexes, which is why it’s…

Dissent is beginning to well and truly break out in the radio world with, broadly speaking, Gcap set against the rest as it opposes Ofcom’s announcement before Christmas that it will indeed be inviting applications to run a second national commercial DAB multiplex. Essentially GCap’s Ralph Bernard believes that GWR was awarded the sole national…

Listening to Andy Kershaw talking about what he’d do with Radio 4, following the announcement that Home Truths was being cancelled, has been entertaining. Warming to his theme, he contributed this in Friday’s Guardian. And he’s followed up with an interview in today’s Indpendent (read it now before it’s subscription only), in which he lets…

I’ve just listened to a remarkable documentary about a competition that took place in an East Texas town earlier this autumn. A few years ago Channel 5 (as was) ran a seemingly bizarre reality series called Touching The Truck presented by Dale Winton. A large 4×4 was parked in Lakeside, or somewhere similar, and the…

Radio professionals need to be careful about what they claim, if the Advertising Standards Authority are to be kept happy (PDF).

With podcasting and the success of download sites such as iTunes, there’s a growing market for download-only media. Recently, Audible launched in the UK, and the BBC are now selling MP3 CDs of some of their programming. But not every drama or comedy the BBC makes is available to buy. There are obviously criteria which…

A Guardian piece on the Jack FM radio format that’s been invading America of late. I had quite a good listen to the Dallas version of this service when I was there a couple of months ago. In the States you see many more posters for local radio stations anyway, and although I’d heard a…

While the Radio Times releases its BBC-centric list of the Top 40 Most Powerful People On Radio (link ironically to The Scotsman as I couldn’t find it on the Radio Times website), I’ve been enjoying some other decent radio. The funniest programme at the moment is undoubtedly The Armando Iannucci Charm Offensive. I got to…

The BBC’s extended podcast rollout has started this week. Keep up to date on this page with what’s available. The Today programme interview is up now along with a 1Xtra show. Look for more in the coming days. In particular, From Our Own Correspondent is a must listen.

It’s been an interesting couple of days in the ranch.

In the run up to a general election, we’re bombarded with poster and newspaper ads for the various parties. But broadcasting rules prevent parties from buying advertising on radio and television. And rules over the number of candidates being fielded determine which parties get broadcast – even unpleasant ones like the BNP. But what has…