2021 in British radio

This is a list of events taking place in 2021 relating to radio in the United Kingdom.

List of years in British radio (table)
In British television
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
In British music
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
In British film
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024

Events

January
  • 1 January –
    • BBC Radio 4 marks the 70th anniversary of The Archers with a series of features throughout the day.[1]
    • United DJs, scheduled to close on New Year's Day due to financial difficulties, is able to continue broadcasting after receiving help from an unnamed backer.[2]
  • 2 January –
  • 3 January –
    • Clare Teal presents her final edition of The Swing and Big Band Show on BBC Radio 2.[7]
    • Cambridgeshire community station Star Radio joins the Peterborough and Cambridge DAB multiplexes, enabling it to extend its terrestrial coverage.[8]
  • 4 January –
    • BBC Radio 2 makes some changes to its schedule. These include an earlier start for Vanessa Feltz's show, which now begins at 4am.[4]
    • Queen Elizabeth II sends her best wishes to Radio 4's Woman's Hour to mark its 75th year, describing the programme as having "played a significant part in the evolving role of women" and wishing it "continued success" with its "important work".[9]
    • The launch of York Mix Radio which features presenter Ryan Swain (Presenter).[10][11]
  • 5 January – YouTube bans talkRADIO for allegedly violating its rules by posting information that contradicts expert advice about the COVID-19 pandemic, but reinstates the station within hours.[17]
  • 6 January –
  • 7 January –
    • Adrian Chiles is confirmed as presenter of BBC Radio 5 Live's weekday mid-morning show on Thursdays and Fridays, replacing Emma Barnett.[21]
    • BBC Local Radio launches its Make a Difference: Give A Laptop campaign to provide electronic devices to disadvantaged children during lockdown; by 28 January 17,645 devices have been donated by individuals and businesses.[22]
  • 8 January – BBC Local Radio relaunches the Make a Difference: Give a Laptop campaign to help provide laptops and smart devices for children unable to attend school during the lockdown.[23]
  • 9 January –
    • Henrie Kwushue joins Kiss to present weekend breakfast.[24]
    • Graham Norton joins Virgin Radio to present a Saturday morning show; for the first time he is operating his own radio desk, something he had not done at Radio 2.[25]
  • 11 January –
    • Boom Radio UK, launching on 14 February, unveils its schedule and list of presenters, including Graham Dene, David Hamilton, Nicky Horne, Diana Luke, Kid Jensen and Roger Day.[26]
    • Ofcom has found two community stations, Hitmix Radio in Newcastle-under-Lyme and Cumbernauld FM, to be in breach of their licence agreements for not recording their output. Both stations have blamed technical reasons for their audio recorders not working, something which came to light after listeners complained to Ofcom about content on the station and Ofcom requested a recording of the material.[27]
    • The children's station Fun Kids launches eight new stations, including Fun Kids Classical, Fun Kids Party, Fun Kids Pop Hits and Fun Kids Soundtracks.[28]
    • Online station Rubix Radio launches on DAB in Norwich and Cambridge.[29]
    • Launch of Radio Travel News, a service providing local and national travel bulletins to radio stations for a monthly fee, and delivered half-hourly at peak times via Dropbox.[30] A week on from its launch the service announces an expansion of its output.[31]
  • 13 January – Mica Paris joins Greatest Hits Radio to present Soul Food Songs, a three-part series looking at what makes an uplifting soul anthem and how music helps with people's physical and mental wellbeing. The series will end with a countdown of the top 200 soul food songs.[32]
  • 14 January – Test Match Special begins providing remote coverage of England's winter tour of Sri Lanka.[33]
  • 15 January –
    • Anita Rani joins BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour to present the programme's Friday and Saturday editions.[34]
    • BBC Radio 4 confirms Elizabeth Day and Johny Pitts as new presenters of the Open Book programme, with Day making her debut on 17 January and Pitts making his debut on 31 January.[35] They replace Mariella Frostrup who had presented the programme since 2003.
  • 17 January – A new chart show, the UK Hot40 Countdown, is launched for radio stations in the UK and internationally. The three-hour programme is presented and produced by Chris Brooks, and uses the UK Airplay Chart as provided by Radiomonitor.com.[36]
  • 18 January – Online old skool station NRG announces plans to launch on DAB in the Black Country and Shropshire.[37]
  • 19 January – Bristol-based community station BCfm announces it is providing free DAB sets to people aged 50 and over.[38]
  • 20–21 January – With the north west of England in the grip of Storm Christoph, BBC Radio Manchester remains broadcasting through the night to provide up-to-date coverage of events rather than taking the usual overnight feed from BBC Radio 5 Live.[39]
  • 21 January – Howell James is reappointed chair of Radiocentre, the body overseeing commercial radio in the UK, for another three year term.[40]
  • 22 January – Broadcaster Leo Green announces plans to launch LGRADIO.ONLINE, an online subscription station catering for listeners who feel they are not served by popular mainstream music stations. The station will feature music from the 1950s and 1960s, as well as Motown, Jazz and Soul, and will also include archive programmes made by his father, Benny Green.[41]
  • 23 January – Andy Baird, suspended from Cool FM earlier in the month, has left the station, it is reported. Cool FM has subsequently revamped its weekend schedule.[42]
  • 24 January – Clare Teal joins Jazz FM to present a Sunday evening show dedicated to Big Band and Swing music.[43]
  • 25 January –
    • Former Smooth Radio presenter Dave Brown is hired by Nation Radio UK to present a late evening show on weeknights.[44]
    • Ofcom clears Bauer Radio following a listener complaint over the broadcast of a phone call with a competition, three versions of which were recorded with three different presenters. The competition to win £100,000 was run on the Planet Rock, KISS and Absolute Radio networks, but the listener felt Bauer had not made the networked element of the competition clear and that it was possible for someone listening to any of the networks to win the money.[45]
  • 26 January –
    • BBC Radio Lancashire celebrates its 50th anniversary.[46]
    • The BBC confirms it will not replace the post of Director of Radio and Music following the departure of James Purnell as it cuts out a layer of management as part of cost-cutting measures.[47]
  • 27 January – BFBS signs up with Timbre, a service from SharpStream, to manage and broadcast its online content.[48]
  • 31 January –
    • Radio 2 counts down listeners' top 20 favourite songs from musicals during its Elaine Paige on Sunday show, with "One Day More" from Les Misérables voted as their favourite.[49]
    • Radio 2 airs Musicals: The Greatest Show, a programme presented by Sheridan Smith that celebrates stage musicals. The programme, which will also air on BBC One in February, is part of a three-day celebration of musicals by Radio 2.[50]
    • Colin Slade of Radio Exe presents a special programme celebrating his 50th anniversary in radio; Slade first presented on BBC Radio Medway on 31 January 1971.[51]

February
  • 1 February –
    • Broadcaster Rob Charles takes over as breakfast show presenter at online station All Oldies Radio.[52]
    • Capital XTRA removes DJ Tiny from its schedule after allegations he was charging artists £200 to play their material on his show, something that breaches Ofcom rules.[53] DJ Tiny subsequently apologises for "carelessly and irresponsibly [taking] advantage of [his] position".[54]
  • 2 February – Community station Erewash Sound announces it will remain on air after receiving a grant from Erewash Borough Council.[55]
  • 5 February –
    • talkSPORT begins its live coverage of the England cricket team's tour of India.[56]
    • News UK hires Gordon Smart, a former presenter with Radio X to present and produce a daily TV programme provisionally titled News to Me.[57]
  • 8 February –
    • Magic Radio begins Our Love, a week-long series celebrating multicultural relationships among its listeners.[58]
    • Sound Radio, founded as an internet station in 2018, launches on FM in North East Wales.[59]
  • 9 February – Moray Firth Radio's 40th anniversary is celebrated with an evening online event staged by members of the Radio Academy's Scottish branch.[60]

March
  • 15 March – Simon Mayo joins Greatest Hits Radio to present the drivetime show which becomes a national programme across all Greatest Hits stations, while former local drivetime presenters move to afternoons. Mayo also continues at Scala Radio with a weekend show.[61]

Station debuts
  • 4 January –
    • Resort Radio
    • YorkMix[62]
  • 11 January –
    • Fun Kids Classical
    • Fun Kids Animals
    • Fun Kids Silly
    • Fun Kids Party
    • Fun Kids Pop Hits
    • Fun Kids Naps
    • Fun Kids Classics
    • Fun Kids Soundtracks
  • 15 January – BBC Radio Wolverhampton[63]
  • 16 January – Delux Gold[64]
  • 18 January –
  • 1 February – Bucks Radio[66]
  • 14 February – Boom Radio UK
  • 1 March – Your Harrogate Radio[67]

Programme debuts
  • 16 January – Tearjerker With Jorja Smith on BBC Radio 3[68]
  • 18 January – Bodies on BBC Radio 4 (2021)[69]
  • 23 January – Downtime Symphony with Celeste on BBC Radio 3[68]
  • 24 January – The Clare Teal Show on Jazz FM
  • 31 January – Musicals: The Greatest Show on BBC Radio 2 (2021)
  • 8 February – Our Love on Magic Radio (2021)

Continuing radio programmes

1940s

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s
  • Newscast (2020–Present)
  • Sounds of the 90s (2020–present)

Deaths
  • 30 January – Mike James, 62, broadcaster (Dee Radio)[70]
  • February – Terry Mills, 38, presenter (ExmouthAIR)[71]

References
  1. "The Archers: Radio 4 to mark 70th anniversary". 1 January 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  2. "United DJs Radio continues with new media backer". 1 January 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  3. "Former Radio 1 host Dev Griffin is joining Heart". 3 December 2020. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  4. "Festive programmes and schedule changes at BBC Radio 2". 18 December 2020. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  5. "Radio presenter Charlie Powell swaps KISS for Capital". 1 January 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  6. "Wally Webb leaves BBC Radio Norfolk after 40 years". 2 January 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  7. "Clare Teal to leave BBC Radio 2 after 15 years". 16 November 2020. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  8. "Star Radio expands via the Peterborough DAB mux". 2 January 2021. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  9. "Woman's Hour: The Queen sends 'best wishes' to show on its 75th year". 4 January 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  10. "YorkMix Radio launches with former Minster presenters". RadioToday. 4 January 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  11. "Malton DJ to host Saturday nights on new local radio station". InYourArea.co.uk. 2 January 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  12. "Emma Barnett to be the new host of Woman's Hour". BBC Media Centre. 7 September 2020.
  13. "Nation Radio UK reveals weekday presenter line-up". 7 December 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  14. "New online station targets staycation locations". 28 December 2020. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  15. "Tom Green joins Hits Radio as Hattie Pearson moves to weekdays". 4 January 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  16. "Bauer's Cash for Kids raises £16.7 million in 2020". 4 January 2021. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  17. "TalkRadio: YouTube reverses decision to ban channel". 5 January 2021. Retrieved 6 January 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  18. "Richard Sharp set to become the next BBC Chair". 6 January 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  19. "Woman's Hour: Emma Barnett defends herself after guest drops out". 6 January 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  20. "Darren Spence and Bruce Edwards join RB1 Radio". 6 January 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  21. "Adrian Chiles confirmed as Emma Barnett replacement". 7 January 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  22. "BBC local radio listeners donate 17,500 devices". 28 January 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  23. "BBC local radio reinvents Make a Difference". 7 January 2021. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  24. "Henrie Kwushue joins KISS for weekend radio shows". 17 December 2020. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  25. "Graham Norton to drive his own desk at Virgin Radio". 8 January 2021. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  26. "Schedule and presenters announced for Boom Radio UK". 11 January 2021. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  27. "Two community stations in breach for not logging". 11 January 2021. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  28. "Fun Kids launches eight new radio stations". 11 January 2021. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  29. "Rubix Radio launches on two DAB multiplexes". 15 January 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  30. "Radio Travel News launches audio bulletins service". 8 December 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  31. "Flying start for Radio Travel News audio service". 18 January 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  32. "Mica Paris to host music series on Greatest Hits Radio". 12 January 2021. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  33. "BBC Test Match Special to cover Sri Lanka tour remotely". 13 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  34. "Anita Rani to join Emma Barnett on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour". 12 January 2021. Retrieved 13 January 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  35. "Two new presenters for BBC Radio 4's Open Book". 15 January 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  36. "New UK chart show available for radio syndication". 5 January 2021. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  37. "Old skool radio station NRG plans DAB launch". 18 January 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  38. "Free DAB radio sets for the over 50s from BCfm". 19 January 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  39. "BBC Radio Manchester stays local for storm Christoph". 21 January 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  40. "Howell James CBE reappointed Radiocentre Chair". 21 January 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  41. "Leo Green to launch new online radio platform". 22 January 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  42. "New weekend schedule at Cool FM as Andy Baird leaves". 24 January 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  43. "Clare Teal is joining Bauer for new Jazz FM show". 5 January 2021. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  44. "Nation Radio hires Dave Brown for weekday lates". 25 January 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  45. "Ofcom resolves complaint over Bauer competition winner". 25 January 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  46. "BBC Radio Lancashire celebrates 50 years on-air". 26 January 2021. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  47. "BBC to close Director of Radio and Music role". 26 January 2021. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  48. "BFBS signs up for new SharpStream service". 27 January 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  49. "One Day More wins BBC Radio 2 listener vote". 1 February 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  50. "BBC Radio 2 celebrates musicals with BBC One". 12 January 2021. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  51. "Radio Exe's Colin Slade celebrates show landmark". 28 January 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  52. "Rob Charles to host All Oldies Radio breakfast". 19 January 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  53. "DJ Tiiny removed from Capital XTRA radio schedule". 1 February 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  54. "Capital XTRA's DJ Tiiny says sorry for recent events". 1 February 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  55. "Radio station remains on-air with Council funding". 2 February 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  56. "talkSPORT team announced for cricket coverage". 21 January 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  57. "Gordon Smart to host daily TV show for News UK". 5 February 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  58. "Magic Radio to air multicultural relationship stories". 3 February 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  59. "Sound Radio gears up for launch on 103.1 FM". 5 February 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  60. "Event to celebrate 40 years of Moray Firth Radio". 3 February 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  61. "Simon Mayo to host Drive on Greatest Hits Radio". 1 February 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  62. "YorkMix Radio launches with former Minster presenters". 4 January 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  63. "BBC Radio Wolverhampton and Sunderland details". 13 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  64. "Delux Radio expands with online oldies channel". 3 January 2021. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  65. "Launch date set for Spirit FM replacement V2 Radio". 13 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  66. "New radio station launches for Buckinghamshire". 1 February 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  67. "Harrogate website to launch local radio station". 14 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  68. "Jorja Smith and Celeste to host BBC Radio 3 series". 14 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  69. "History of the human body explored by BBC Radio 4". 20 January 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  70. "Dee Radio presenter Mike James found dead in studio". 1 February 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  71. "Former Devon radio presenter dies from coronavirus". 4 February 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.