It’s 25 years since I first drove down the M5 to Exeter for a day that would change my life. I was interviewed for my first job in journalism at Gemini Radio – and it’s a time that brings back many fond memories. Ringing the changes The previous year, in 1995, Gemini had started broadcastingContinue reading “Twin Town Radio”
Category Archives: Radio Stuff
Sold : Dancing Hamster – £40m
The sale of a group of radio stations to a much bigger company often brings with it anxiety among staff, doubts over job security and a collective sigh among the anoraks that things will never quite be the same again – and wouldn’t it be nice to bring back some old heritage brand names. YetContinue reading “Sold : Dancing Hamster – £40m”
Can I have a “P” please, Bob?
Like music playlists, there is one aspect of our industry that can only be looked at subjectively. No matter how hard you try, it’s impossible to be impartial about personality. In recent months, it’s been well documented that BBC Local Radio is going through yet another period of attempting to define the “P” word withContinue reading “Can I have a “P” please, Bob?”
Toys and Prams
Forget the US caucuses and the EU referendum. Because in broadcasting land, it must be Charter Renewal season. You can easily tell from the unedfying display of radio executives having public spats over whose network is best. And frankly, it’s sounding like a broken record. The latest attack on the BBC, which comes around almost asContinue reading “Toys and Prams”
“Pippa’s got me a cream horn!”
It’s 31st January 2016. Search “broadcaster” or “BBC” today and you’re more than likely to find a tribute to Sir Terry Wogan – and rightly so. But it’s also been the day when Devon has said goodbye to another radio voice who can genuinely claim the title of “legend”. During my eleven months atContinue reading ““Pippa’s got me a cream horn!””
Rocks and hard places
I should open this blog with a disclaimer that these are my views as a Journlaist, and not necessarily those of my employer. The piece is meant as an observation of the relationship between reporters and their sources, and may well stimulate some debate on the subject. Since the start of the year, I’ve beenContinue reading “Rocks and hard places”
Mind Your Language
What do ISIS and The Daily Mail have in common? They both try to change behaviour through fear. I can’t claim the credit for that assertion. It came from one of my friends when discussing the Dail Mail’s latest hateful and untrue article where it’s claimed the BBC has banned the term “terrorist” when referring to IslamicContinue reading “Mind Your Language”
Ratings or Reputation?
Last week the latest audience ratings for UK radio were published. As usual there was more spinning from station managers than Alistair Campbell in a gym class armed with comedy plates. And, as usual, the raw numbers can never tell the whole story. In unashamedly blowing my own trumpet, I’d like to think that myContinue reading “Ratings or Reputation?”
An Interesting Conflict
When it comes to local news and loyalties, you can bet that sports fans won’t give you much credit for anything you write or broadcast. A fiercely partisan and subjective part of the audience, they’ll always be quick to tell you when you get things wrong. And you do so at your peril. So itContinue reading “An Interesting Conflict”
Carts at the ready : Moyles is back
If you happen to like the radio industry and make a thing of it, you’re labelled an anorak. If you work in the industry and love the medium, you’re an anorak who made it. And there’s plenty of crinkly waterproof material to talk about with the return of Chris Moyles, as breakfast host of theContinue reading “Carts at the ready : Moyles is back”
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