Industry News 24 April 2020

Keeping the nation smiling: the week in radio

We’re currently living through challenging times, when many are forced to isolate. For some, the next few weeks will be difficult and perhaps lonely, so it’s never been a more important time for radio.

Radio offers audiences a few moments of distraction, a constant voice in the room, and provides 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 have an important impact on the day.

In our weekly feature, we round up some of the best moments in commercial radio from the last seven days for your enjoyment.

 

Will you be my Quarantine?

As life under lockdown continues, we have the spirit of being ‘in this together’ – sometimes literally. On the Capital Breakfast show, Roman Kemp, Sian Welby and Sonny Jay spoke to Georgia and Adam, a new couple who ended up living together after just one date.

 

Classical music and a good book are a match made in heaven

To celebrate World Book Night, Scala Radio asked guests and authors to peruse their bookshelves and send a reading from one of their favourite books. Alain de Botton, Jay Rayner, Adele Parks and more all contributed reads from the likes of Nineteen Eighty-Four, The Great Gatsby, and many other classics. We’ve included Mike Gayle’s clip below, and the full set are up on the Scala Radio website now.

 

Sing it loud

While the UK can’t go to gigs at their favourite venues, XS Manchester are raising money for Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity with a series of special shows from some of the best bands in the north. Kicking off with a special live acoustic session from The Sherlocks’ Kiaran Crook, who also took the time to answer fans’ questions, this weekend will see Satyr Play play this evening and The K’s play on Saturday night. Tickets are just £3 and all of the money goes to the charity.

 

Something fun for the kids

Supported by the Audio Content Fund, Sports Squad is a new sports show just for kids that launched this week. This week, Ayo and Chanel spoke to Olympian field hockey player Maddie Hinch and footballer Jill Scott, who plays for both Manchester City and England.

 

Keep calm and carry on clapping

For a fifth week in a row, people across the UK clapped to show appreciation for health professionals and other key workers during the coronavirus pandemic. To show their support for all NHS staff and frontline workers, The Breeze highlighted the incredible work by key workers across the UK, and the appreciation shown by their listeners.

 

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