Industry News 22 May 2020

Keeping the nation smiling: the week in radio

We’re currently living through challenging times. Whether you tune in for the news, entertainment or a bit of companionship, it’s never been more important for radio to support its listeners.

You might be working from home, social distancing, or on the frontlines. Radio offers audiences a few moments of distraction, a voice in the room, and a bit of joy in a time when it’s needed more than ever. Some good songs, funny content and a few moments of collective positivity can all have an impact on your day.

Every week, we round up some of the best moments in commercial radio from the last seven days for your enjoyment. Whether you caught them live or want to listen back, check them out below.

 

United for 1 minute
Mental Health Awareness Week 2020 kicked off with the Mental Health Minute which returned for its third year providing advice and support, which is needed now more than ever. Voiced by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, England football captain Harry Kane, Pop-star Dua Lipa, and Actor David Tennant the minute united every radio station in the UK at 10:59am on Monday 19th May.

 

Fleur ‘clears up’ the new lockdown rules for us
Fleur East has us smiling as always with this week’s rap roulette summing up the new rules of lockdown to Dua Lipa’s hit ‘New Rules’. We can all relate to “Nandos is closed I’m fuming”.

 

Coldplay take us to Paradise
We are all going to miss Capital’s Summertime Ball this year but they have been complementing the sunshine with their Best of Summertime Ball, and reliving this Coldplay set is making up for missing this year’s event.

 

60 Seconds of support
Our 60 Second Support series with the charity Heads Together wraps up this week, the initiative which has played out on hundreds of stations across the UK, offered tips and activities to support listeners during these uncertain times. Voiced by Professor Green, each episode featured advice from mental health professionals.

 

Absolute presenters open up
For Mental Health Awareness Week, presenters from Absolute were asked to tell a story behind a song that means a lot to them and Ross Buchanan told a very honest story about when he was suffering with his mental health and how his friend helped him in a time of need.

 

Inside intensive care
After recovering himself, Theo Usherwood visited an intensive care unit to document the fantastic work all of the doctors and workers are doing. From WhatsApp groups to communities in the form of a fashion school coming together to help supply them with PPE. Read more.

Theo Usherwood went into the Intensive Care Unit to see the work doctors are doing during the coronavirus crisis

 

The impact of commercial radio during the coronavirus crisis
As heard at our Tuning In Livestream event earlier this week, where 1000 people tuned in, we have collated some of commercial radio’s best moments from these uncertain times, highlighting how radio brings listeners together and provides them some much needed company and joy. It’s easy to see why 38% of commercial radio listeners are tuning in for an extra hour and 45 minutes each day since lockdown.

 

Has your station launched a new segment, had someone interesting on a show or done something else great this week? Let us know by contacting coral.williamson@radiocentre.org