Waitrose has become the exclusive sponsor of ‘Something for the Weekend’, the Friday feature on Zoe Ball’s new show on Greatest Hits Radio.

The 12-week partnership was arranged by Omnicom Media UK agency MG OMD and will run every Friday from 3pm to 4pm.

The feature will include celebrity guests, entertainment highlights, TV recommendations and food inspiration.

Waitrose’s Dinner for Tonight range will also feature, positioning the supermarket at the centre of Friday evening meal planning and weekend preparations.

Listeners will also have the chance to win a £500 Waitrose gift card each week, with Zoe Ball voicing promotional trails throughout the week.

Launching this Friday, Friday 11th September,  the first one will include cinema recommendations and a conversation with Steven Knight, writer and producer of the new Oasis documentary, Oasis: Don’t Look Back in Anger.

Andy Ashton, Content Director at Greatest Hits Radio, said Zoe Ball and Waitrose are a strong combination for a feature focused on Friday evenings.

Polly Mason, Partnerships Account Director at MG OMD, noted that Friday was identified as a key day for shopping and takeaway decisions, making it an ideal time for the partnership.

Lyca Radio Network will soon broadcast across Bradford, Huddersfield and Leeds on DAB.

This expansion into West Yorkshire marks the network’s first presence in the region and follows its recent full-scale launch in Birmingham.

Lyca Radio is already established in Greater London and the Midlands, including Birmingham, Leicestershire, Coventry, Derbyshire, Wolverhampton and Shropshire.

Chief Executive Officer Raj Baddhan described the West Yorkshire launch as an important milestone for the network. He said there has been strong demand from listeners in the area for a dedicated Lyca Radio service.

The new DAB service for Bradford, Huddersfield and Leeds is expected to go live later this month.

New York Festivals Radio Awards has opened entries for its 2027 competition, marking 70 years of recognising creative excellence in audio.

The Awards cover 14 category groups, with radio recognised across areas including News Programmes, Documentaries, Talk Programmes, On Air Talent, Craft, Entertainment, Programming Formats and Promotion, Open & ID.

The competition also recognises work across the wider audio sector, including Digital, Podcast and Audio Book categories.

New for 2027 are Crime Drama Podcast and Kids & Family Podcast, alongside updated Kids & Family Audio Book and Kids & Family Programme categories.

New York Festivals Executive Vice President Rose Anderson described radio as “the original social media”, adding that awards can honour creative excellence, recognise craft and provide a place in industry history.

Entries are open to radio stations, networks, independent producers, publishers and podcast creators across more than 30 countries.

Work is judged on creativity, production quality, writing, direction, content presentation, effectiveness and audience relevance.

The 2027 competition is open to work produced, released, screened, aired, published, issued or streamed between 1st January 2026 and 31st January 2027, subject to the competition rules.

The entry deadline is 31st January 2027 – find out more here.

The 2026 Radio Awards included three Grand Tower Award winners, with CBC’s Sea of Lies, KALW Public Media’s Uncuffed Season 4 and Almost Tangible’s Wolf Valley recognised across documentary, social issues and drama categories.

Planet Rock and Kerrang! Radio will simulcast a special programme at 1pm today, World Suicide Prevention Day, focusing on changing how suicide is discussed in the UK.

The programme, hosted by journalist Mick Coyle, is produced in partnership with Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) and will also be available on the Rayo app.

Listeners will hear a personal interview with Blaze Bayley, former Iron Maiden frontman, who speaks openly about his own experiences with suicidal thoughts and depression.

Blaze challenges the silence around suicide, urging people to ask directly if someone is feeling suicidal.

The broadcast addresses the misconception that asking about suicide can make things worse, instead highlighting that direct, compassionate questions can help those in crisis.

Mick explains that research shows asking the question does not plant the idea, but can open a vital conversation.

The special is to move the conversation from awareness to action, giving listeners the confidence and language to support those who may be struggling.

Wakefield station, Rhubarb Radio has started a crowdfunding campaign to support its move onto local DAB.

The station has broadcast online for eight years and recently secured a licence to join the Wakefield district and five towns DAB multiplex.

Funds raised will be used for equipment and improvements, helping make the station more accessible to local listeners.

Director Gaz Smith said the move to DAB will provide clearer sound, easier listening and a wider, more inclusive reach for the community.

Gaz added that the expansion will give a platform to people in the area who are often under-represented on mainstream media.

The crowdfunding campaign offers local people the chance to support the station’s growth. Alongside crowdfunding, Rhubarb Radio is also seeking funds through events and grant applications.

The sation says money raised will help it become a self-sustaining organisation, providing a voice for Wakefield into the future.

WorldDAB and Broadcast Networks Europe are urging EU policymakers to use the Digital Networks Act to ensure broadcast radio remains available in new vehicles across Europe.

The organisations want the Act to strengthen existing rules from the European Electronic Communications Code, which have so far helped keep digital terrestrial radio in new cars.

However, they say recent changes in the market mean the framework needs to be reinforced to guarantee broadcast radio receivers continue to be included in all new vehicles sold in the EU.

They also say, broadcast radio offers secure, reliable and free-to-air access to information and entertainment, without relying on mobile connectivity or subscriptions. Its infrastructure allows it to play a vital role during emergencies, when mobile networks may be overloaded or unavailable. This makes terrestrial broadcasting an important part of Europe’s communications resilience.

Research presented by WorldDAB in June, based on 8,000 recent car buyers in several countries, found that 83% listen to radio in the car, and 62% see it as a must-have feature.

The study also showed that 83% consider radio important in emergencies, with over half saying it would be their first source of information while driving during a crisis.

WorldDAB and BNE are calling for the Digital Networks Act to provide a clear framework that protects broadcast radio in new vehicles, ensuring it remains alongside connected and IP-based services.

The organisations will discuss these issues further at IBC2026 in Amsterdam during a joint conference session on 13th September.

Cumbria.Digital has decided not to proceed with its Carlisle and Penrith small scale DAB multiplex after reviewing its long-term viability.

The company says significant economic, geopolitical and technological changes since it applied for the licence in July 2024 have changed the broadcasting environment, with the licence subsequently awarded by Ofcom in April 2025.

Cumbria.Digital says listener behaviour has also continued to evolve, with relatively low uptake of DAB+ devices locally and increasing use of smart speakers, mobile devices and online platforms.

The company had planned to use revenue from commercial stations carried on the multiplex to subsidise access for community broadcasters, including existing community stations in Carlisle and Penrith.

However, rising energy, business rates and broadcast equipment costs, combined with reduced demand from commercial broadcasters, have made the infrastructure financially unsustainable.

A spokesperson said: “This has been an extremely difficult decision for us. We invested a considerable amount of time and effort into developing the Carlisle and Penrith multiplex and genuinely believed that there was a sustainable future for small scale DAB in Cumbria when we submitted our application in 2024.”

The company says it is now putting its focus into developing its online broadcasting platform and launching its own station as an online service.

“We still believe there is a future for local digital broadcasting in Cumbria. We just believe that, at this point in time, the best way to build that future is online rather than through a DAB network,” the spokesperson added.

Cumbria.Digital says its online platform will provide a shared digital home for radio stations serving Cumbria, while encouraging new community led broadcasting initiatives.

The company will also continue monitoring emerging technologies, including the potential future role of 5G broadcasting.

talkSPORT has appointed Jon Norman as Sports Rights Manager, a new role created to support growth by expanding its live rights portfolio and maximising content value across platforms.

Jon will be responsible for securing and managing talkSPORT’s major content licences, including those for the Premier League and international cricket.

He will oversee acquisitions and manage global commercial deals to ensure talkSPORT maintains its position in live sports broadcasting.

The station currently holds exclusive UK audio rights for every match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and has global audio partnership rights for the Champions League and Premier League. It also covers the EFL, international cricket, the NFL, and major boxing events.

Jon will continue as Head of Cricket, remaining involved in the station’s cricket coverage. He will report to Liam Fisher, Head of talkSPORT, and work closely with Live Sports Editor Ellie Beaven to integrate new rights into the network’s digital and broadcast operations.

Liam said Jon’s appointment is “a pivotal moment in further evolving talkSPORT across live sport.”

Jon brings significant experience in broadcasting and sports media, having led talkSPORT’s cricket coverage from major England tours. He said he looks forward to working with the team to “elevate talkSPORT’s position as a premier global rights partner.”

During the Magic Radio Breakfast Show this morning, Gok Wan and Harriet Scott confirmed the artists performing at this year’s Magic of Christmas.

The event, hosted by Gok, Harriet and Gaby Roslin, will take place on Saturday 14th November at the London Palladium.

Performing on stage will be Texas, Heather Small and T’Pau, alongside 911 with Alison Limerick and Natalie Imbruglia

Gok said the line-up will help kick off the festive season for Magic Radio listeners.

Harriet added that the afternoon promises to be filled with live music and sparkling performances.

Tickets for the event are on sale now.

BBC Radio Ulster’s Talkback has marked its 40th anniversary with a live broadcast from Belfast Central Library, hosted by William Crawley and joined by special guests.

The programme first aired on 8th September 1986 and has played a central role in daily debate across Northern Ireland ever since.

Over four decades, Talkback has covered a wide range of stories and adapted to changes in both local society and the wider world.

The show has had just four presenters in its history. Barry Cowan was the original host, followed by David Dunseith, who led the programme from 1989 to 2009. Wendy Austin then took over, before handing the role to William Crawley in 2014.

William described presenting Talkback as an extraordinary privilege, following in the footsteps of his predecessors. He said the programme is more than a heritage brand, calling it a living, evolving conversation that reflects the history of Northern Ireland.

William also spoke about his approach to the show, aiming to bring in voices from beyond Northern Ireland and to encourage honest conversations. He said he believes in the value of listening and talking as a way to a better future for society.