2019 in British radio

This is a list of events taking place in 2019 relating to radio in the United Kingdom.

List of years in British radio (table)
In British television
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
In British music
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
In British film
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022

Events

January
  • 4 January – After presenting more than 10,000 programmes in his 42-year career, BBC WM breakfast presenter Alex Lester announces he is stepping down from the role with immediate effect.[1]
  • 7 January –
  • 14 January –
    • Zoë Ball takes over as presenter of The Radio 2 Breakfast Show.[4]
    • Sara Cox replaces Simon Mayo as presenter of the drivetime show on Radio 2. The show is part of a major shake-up of the station's schedule, which sees it return to its two hour format from 5.00pm to 7.00pm.[5] Jo Whiley follows Sara with the return of her evening show, the specialist music programmes move to 9pm and Trevor Nelson replaces Sara Cox as presenter of the Monday to Thursday late show.
    • Samantha Meah and Daz Hale succeed Alex Lester as presenters of BBC WM's breakfast show .[6]
  • 21 January –
  • 25 January – Radio 2 confirms that Johnnie Walker will step down from his presenting role for a short while to receive treatment for a heart condition.[10]

February
  • 5 February – Bauer Media purchases Lincs FM Group[11] and the stations owned by Celador Radio.[12] However, three of the purchased stations are in areas in which Bauer currently operates stations. Therefore, Bauer immediately sells these stations. Consequently, the two purchases gives Bauer ownership of 33 more analogue and three more digital-only stations.
  • 6 February – John Humphrys announces his intention to step down from his presenting role on BBC Radio 4's The Today Programme later in the year.[13]
  • 8 February – The Wireless Group sells its network of local radio stations in England and Wales to Bauer Media.[14]
  • 9 February – BBC Radio Solent airs the documentary When George Met Michael in which excerpts of a 1979 Radio 1 appearance by Michael Jackson is heard. Jackson is heard reviewing record releases with and George Harrison in the recording, and was thought to have been lost until its discovery and restoration.[15]
  • 26 February – Following OFCOM's decision to relax local content obligations from commercial radio, Global Radio announces plans to replace the regional breakfast shows on Capital, Heart and Smooth with a single national breakfast show for each network. Capital's new breakfast show will launch in April, with the others following later in the year. The number of regional drivetime shows will also be reduced.[16]

March
  • 4 March –
  • 5 March – Bauer purchases the ten FM stations owned by UKRD. The deal also includes the purchase of three local DAB multiplexes and UKRD's interest in First Radio Sales.[19]
  • 6–7 March – Radio 1's "LOLathon" with Scott Mills and Chris Stark took place as part of Red Nose Day 2019.[20] The event raises £250,000 for Comic Relief.[21]
  • 11–12 March – Radio 2's Longest Ever Danceathon takes place as part of Red Nose Day.[22]

April
  • 4 April – Rhod Gilbert announces he is leaving his weekend show on BBC Radio Wales with immediate effect.[23]
  • 8 April –
    • Deregulation allows Global to launch Capital London's breakfast show as a national programme, resulting in the scrapping of all other local breakfast shows apart from on Capital Cymru. The only 'local' output is at drivetime and the new regulations mean that Global is able to replace local shows with 10 regional programmes which will be networked across all stations in that region.[24]
    • Following Global's purchase of 2BR,[25] Capital launches across north Lancashire.[26]

May
  • 2 May – The BBC removes the rap music track "Chaabian Boyz" by Frenzo Harami from playlists of Radio 1 and BBC Asian Network after it was accused of glamourising sexual exploitation. The song, which had received limited play on the stations, will not be played again because it "did not meet [the BBC's] editorial standards".[27]
  • 9 May – Danny Baker is fired from his presenting role at BBC Radio 5 Live after he appeared to mock the racial heritage of the Duchess of Sussex by sharing on social media an image of a couple holding hands with a chimpanzee dressed in clothes with the caption: "Royal Baby leaves hospital". The BBC describes the incident as a "serious error of judgement" making The Danny Baker Show come to an end.[28]
  • 13 May – Major changes take place to the weekday output of BBC Radio Wales. Good Morning Wales and Good Evening Wales are replaced with brand new programmes and the daytime line-up is also modified.[29]
  • 31 May –

June
  • 3 June – Global launches a national 'Heart UK' breakfast show (broadcast from London), presented by Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden.[35] The only 'local' output is at drivetime and the new regulations mean that Global is able to replace 23 local shows with 10 regional programmes which will be networked across all stations in that region.
  • 11 June – Jo Brand appears as a guest on Radio 4's Heresy during which she makes a remark about throwing battery acid at "unpleasant characters", prompting the BBC to defend the comment as "deliberately provocative as the title implies".[36] However, the joke is subsequently removed from the programme when it appears on iPlayer.[37]
  • 13 June – The BBC announces it has commissioned its award-winning Brexitcast podcast for television, launching on BBC One in September.[38]
  • 21 June – Danny Baker announces plans to revive his axed Radio 5 Live show as a twice-weekly podcast, launching in 2020.[39]
  • 26 June – Michael Palin will serve as executive producer on five Radio 4 specials to mark the 50th anniversary of Monty Python's Flying Circus.[40]
  • 27 June – Phone-in show Night Owls with Alan Robson is broadcast for the final time on north east commercial stations Metro Radio and TFM. Robson had presented the show since 1983.[41]
  • 28 June – Jonathan Dimbleby steps down as chair of BBC Radio 4's Any Questions?, having presented the programme for nearly 32 years.[42]

July

August

September
  • 2 September –
    • Bauer begins to network its Hits Radio Manchester weekday Drivetime show on all but one of its Hits Radio stations in England, leaving only the weekday breakfast show as a local show[53] following the removal in July of the one remaining local weekend programme.[54]
    • Smooth Radio's networked Drivetime show, presented by Angie Greaves, launches.[55] At the same time, the number of breakfast shows drops to seven.
  • 6 September – Launch of the new Radio 1 weekend early breakfast show presented by Arielle Free.
  • 19 September – John Humphrys presents his final edition of Radio 4's Today programme after 32 years on the programme.[56] Guests on his final edition include David Cameron, Tony Blair and Dame Edna Everage.[57]

October
  • 5 October –
    • BBC Sounds releases a 10-minute soundscape of The Archers as a podcast. The special episode depicts the soap's setting without characters, instead focusing on its background sounds.[58]
    • A BBC Radio 1Xtra event at the Arena Birmingham is brought to a close early following the backstage assault of a rapper.[59]
  • 9 October – BBC political correspondent Chris Mason is appointed chair of Any Questions?, succeeding Jonathan Dimbleby.[60] He will present the programme from 18 October.
  • 10 October – BBC Radio 1 offers anyone with radio experience the chance to present a one-off show as part of its Christmas schedule by inviting interested parties to send in a demo recording of themselves.[61]
  • 11 October – Europe's Biggest Dance Show takes place, with Radio 1 representing the UK.
  • 18 October – Former Key 103 and Hits Radio Content Director Chris Pegg is appointed editor of BBC Radio Nottingham.[62]
  • 21 October – Ofcom rejects a listener complaint over a swearing incident on Planet Rock that occurred on 12 July. The expletive was accidentally broadcast over the introduction of a track on an unnamed show that is usually prerecorded but was going out live on that particular day.[63]
  • 22 October – Ben Cooper, the Controller of BBC Radio 1, announces his intention to step down from the position after eight years, and to leave the BBC in early 2020.[64]
  • 23 October – talkSPORT has written to Ofcom to request permission to reduce transmission on its mediumwave frequencies by 2.4%. Ofcom have provisionally agreed to the request, but will wait to hear the views of stakeholders before making a final decision.[65]
  • 25 October – Manx Radio secures further funding from the Isle of Man Government to help it maintain its future. The station will receive almost £1m in 2020 after the Tynwald, the Isle of Man's parliament, approved a further £95,000 of funds.[66]
  • 28 October – Global Radio relaunches LBC London News as a national 24-hour rolling news channel titled LBC News.[67]
  • 31 October –
    • Ofcom awards Bailiwick Broadcasting a DAB digital radio multiplex licence for the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey; three bids were made for the licence.[68]
    • Little Britain returns for a one-off Radio 4 Brexit-themed special titled Little Brexit, aired to coincide with the date on which Prime Minister Boris Johnson had wanted Britain to leave the European Union.[69]

November
  • 5 November – BBC Radio Norfolk breakfast presenter Nick Conrad leaves his post in order to put his name forward as a Conservative Party candidate for the Broadland constituency at the general election on 12 December.[70] However, two days later he announces that he will not contest the seat following "ill-judged comments" he made on the radio about a rape case back in 2014.[71]
  • 12 November – Former BBC Radio Solent, Radio Plymouth and Radio Exe presenter Simon Jupp is selected to stand for parliament in East Devon as a Conservative candidate.[72]
  • 13 November –
    • Ofcom extends the closure date of the consultation on talkSPORT's plans to reduce its mediumwave broadcasting. The period, due to close on 13 November, is extended to 28 November.[73]
    • London Greek Radio celebrates its 30th anniversary on air, making it the UK's longest running ethnic radio station to hold an FM licence.[74]
  • 14 November – Ofcom gives its approval to change the format of six Quidem-owned stations – Banbury Sound, Rugby FM and the four Touch FM stations – to rhythmic-based, music-led services for listeners aged 15–29. The decision comes after Quidem entered into a deal with Global Radio to rebrand Quidem stations with one of Global's networks.[75]
  • 18 November – Absolute Radio launches its sixth decades-only station, Absolute Radio 10s which, unlike its sister stations, operates exclusively online.[76]
  • 21 November – Bauer launches Magic at the Musicals on DAB+ in and around London. Presenters include Ruthie Henshall and Jonathan Bailey.[77]
  • 26 November –
    • Absolute Radio 80s announce plans for a series of programmes presented by Paul Gambaccini to celebrate their tenth anniversary on air. Dave Berry will also give away £80,000 on the breakfast show.[78]
    • It is announced that Adam Singer will step down as Chairman of Digital Radio UK after a decade in the post. He will be replaced by Will Harding, Global’s Chief Strategy Officer, who will take up the role from early 2020.[79]
  • 27 November – Global Radio confirms that Capital FM will replace the Quidem stations it has acquired.[80]

December
  • 2 December –
    • Quidem's six local stations in the south east Midlands become part of the Capital network. They operate as Capital Mid-Counties, sharing all programmes with the Capital network apart from a local weekday drivetime show.[81]
    • Steve Penk announces the closure of his stations The Music Channel and Radio Dead after they became financially unsustainable. A third station of his, The Wind-Up Channel will close by the end of December.[82]
  • 4 December – BBC Radio 1 announces the 35 people who will get a chance to present a one-off show over the festive period; the station received over a thousand entries after inviting anyone with radio experience to send in a demo.[83]
  • 6 December – LBC announces plans to broadcast its election night coverage both on radio and in HD video on Global Player.[84]
  • 17 December – Rhod Sharp announces he will leave BBC Radio 5 Live in early 2020.[85]
  • December – Wireless Group revives Virgin Radio Groove. Like the other Virgin spinoffs station, Virgin Radio Groove relays the Chris Evans Breakfast Show.[86] The station had previously been on air between 2000 and 2008.

Station debuts

Closing this year
DateStationDebut(s)
7 January Free Radio 80s 2012
31 May Radio Ceredigion 1992
1 September Arrow 2001
2 September Chill 2005

Programme debuts

Continuing radio programmes

1940s

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

Ending this year
  • 4 January – Alex Lester at Breakfast (2017–2019)
  • 9 May – The Danny Baker Show
  • 13 May –
    • Good Morning Wales
    • Good Evening Wales
  • 18 May – Eurovision Song Contest (1956–2019, 2021–present)

Deaths

References
  1. Young, Graham (4 January 2019). "BBC WM presenter almost in tears as he quits live on air". Birmingham Mail. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  2. Bauer Media to launch Greatest Hits Radio network Radio Today, 15 November 2018
  3. BAUER MEDIA TO LAUNCH THE GREATEST HITS RADIO NETWORK Bauer Media, 15 November 2018
  4. "Zoe Ball to present Radio 2 Breakfast Show". BBC News. BBC. 3 October 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  5. "Sara Cox to present Radio 2 Drivetime show". BBC News. BBC. 29 October 2018. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  6. "Alex Lester says goodbye to BBC WM Breakfast". Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  7. "Chris Evans launches new Virgin Radio breakfast show". BBC News. 21 January 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  8. "Simon Mayo to launch classical station Scala Radio after leaving Radio 2". BBC News. BBC. 21 January 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  9. "Richard Bacon: Why Rachael Bland podcast award matters". BBC News. BBC. 21 January 2019. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  10. "Johnnie Walker takes Radio 2 break for 'heart upgrade'". BBC News. BBC. 25 January 2019. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  11. "Bauer Media acquires Lincs FM Group". Retrieved 8 February 2019.
  12. "Bauer Media continues to grow with two acquisitions". Retrieved 8 February 2019.
  13. "John Humphrys to leave BBC Radio 4's Today by the end of 2019". BBC News. BBC. 6 February 2019. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
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  19. "BAUER MEDIA UK TO ACQUIRE UKRD GROUP". Bauer Media. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
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  21. "Radio 1 DJs raise £250K for Comic Relief after 24 hours on-air telling jokes". 7 March 2019. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  22. Savage, Mark (12 February 2019). "Tess and Claudia will dance non-stop for 24 hours". Retrieved 10 March 2019 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
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  35. Amanda Holden to join Jamie Theakston for Heart UK Breakfast, Radio Today, 29 April 2019
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  37. "Jo Brand acid joke: BBC edits out remark from catch-up service". BBC News. BBC. 13 June 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
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  40. "Michael Palin to produce Radio 4 specials for Monty Python birthday". BBC News. BBC. 26 June 2019. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
  41. Night Owls on Metro Radio to end, Sonia Sharma, The Chronicle, 14 June 2019
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  46. "Date set for the launch of London-wide Panjab Radio".
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  49. "Heart 70s to launch on national DAB digital radio".
  50. "Global to launch Capital XTRA Reloaded across the UK".
  51. "Smooth Country goes DAB with Eamonn Kelly".
  52. "Tune in to Smooth Chill now!". Smooth.
  53. "Bauer to network drivetime across 11 licences in North and Midlands".
  54. Hits Radio Network stations drop local weekend programmes, Radio Today, 30 May 2019
  55. Smooth Radio poaches Angie Greaves for national Drive Stuart Clarkson, Radio Today, 29 May 2019
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  58. "The Archers' soothing 'soundscape' released as podcast". BBC News. BBC. 5 October 2019. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
  59. "1Xtra Live: Rapper Krept 'good' after assault at Arena Birmingham". BBC News. BBC. 6 October 2019. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
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  65. "talkSPORT wants to start turning off AM transmitters".
  66. "Manx Radio secures extra funding to continue operating".
  67. "Global to launch 24 hour rolling news radio station".
  68. "Ofcom awards Channel Islands DAB to Bailiwick Broadcasting".
  69. "Little Britain returns for Brexit special". BBC News. BBC. 28 October 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  70. "Nick Conrad leaves BBC Radio Norfolk in bid to become MP". BBC News. BBC. 5 November 2019. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
  71. "General election 2019: Nick Conrad quits as Tory candidate over rape comments". BBC News. BBC. 7 November 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  72. "Radio presenter Simon Jupp stands for parliament".
  73. "Ofcom extends deadline for talkSPORT AM consultation".
  74. "London Greek Radio celebrates 30 years of broadcasting".
  75. "Ofcom approves format changes for Quidem stations".
  76. Martin, Roy (18 November 2019). "Bauer to launch Absolute Radio 10s online". Radio Today. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  77. "Bauer to launch Magic at the Musicals on DAB+".
  78. "Paul Gambaccini to host radio series on Absolute 80s".
  79. "Global's Will Harding to replace Adam Singer at Digital Radio UK".
  80. "Global confirms Capital FM to replace Quidem stations".
  81. Global confirms Capital FM to replace Quidem stations, Radio Today, 27 November 2019
  82. Martin, Roy (2 December 2019). "Radio Dead ends as Steve Penk closes radio stations". Radio Today. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  83. "BBC Radio 1 announces 35 lucky presenters getting a one-off show".
  84. "LBC to broadcast election night in HD video online". Radio Today. 6 December 2019. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  85. "Rhod Sharp to leave 5 Live after 26 years Up All Night".
  86. RadioToday, 2019-12-30
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  88. "Listen to non-stop club classics with Heart Dance". Heart. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  89. "BBC presenter Dianne Oxberry dies aged 51". BBC News. BBC. 11 January 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
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