The programme name ‘Radio Newsreel’ sounds valve-fuelled. It was; borrowing its name from its visual sister, Pathe’s famous cinema newsreel. The very sound of its sig tune, Imperial Echoes, evokes the pride of an Empire. The tune had been innocently written for the piano in 1913, before being adapted as a march and played by the Band of the Royal Air Force. It was this version which, for so many years, opened and closed the programme. From 1940 and 1988, Radio Newsreel brought eye-witness despat...
Oct 26, 2015•3 min•Ep. 1081
Another fond look back to this week in radio history, for the week ending October 23rd 2015, as heard at the end of the week's RadioTalk podcast from Radio Today
Oct 21, 2015•7 min•Ep. 1080
In the victorious but challenging days after World War II, ‘Today in Parliament’ began on BBC radio. Indeed, its existence was cemented into a Corporation obligation. The programme was laborious in its early days, with a lengthy script being assembled from the acres of Hansard or reports and delivered solemnly by BBC staff announcers. In time, as Parliament eventually agreed with Reith’s original intention that proceedings themselves be broadcast, the programme could liven up as we heard for our...
Oct 18, 2015•16 min•Ep. 1079
Another fond look back to this week in radio history, for the week ending October 16th 2015, as heard at the end of the week's RadioTalk podcast from Radio Today
Oct 16, 2015•8 min•Ep. 1078
Those of a certain age can recite the names of the UK's first 19 commercial stations, a little bit like you remember those useful lists one learnt at school. Radio Victory was one of them, bouncing on air on the 14th October, 1975. Like so many of the first tranche, it attracted a healthy audience and much local love, not least for it striking the right chord when so many in its TSA were affected by the Falklands War. It also was a victim of the contagious strife so typical of those perilous ear...
Oct 10, 2015•2 min•Ep. 1077
Another fond look back to this week in radio history, for the week ending October 9th 2015, as heard at the end of the week's RadioTalk podcast from Radio Today
Oct 09, 2015•7 min•Ep. 1076
Oct 06, 2015•17 min•Ep. 1075
Radio London was not amongst the first tranche of experimental BBC locals, not coming on air until 1970. The BBC local radio journey had been a complex one, not least in the Capital, where after the off-air trials in the early 60s, it was even felt that ‘borough stations’ rather than a London-wide one might be the right answer. That idea was to resurface again later in the station’s challenging life. Running a traditional local station in a big city was always to be hard work, as it proved too i...
Oct 06, 2015•12 min•Ep. 1074
When a presenter rises to the top and stays there, it’s usually a combination of the talent, the station and a time and a place. When the talent moves to a new station, it’s often the case that the audience fails to follow to any significant degree. There are many examples where it has not, and a few where it has. Now, maybe times are changing. There is more flicking, loyalties to stations are lessening, and whilst radio penetration remains high, it’s simply easier now to explore and ever-growin...
Oct 04, 2015•1 hr•Ep. 1073
If you wondered what Radio 4 continuity announcers do during the programmes, this gives a clue. (2nd Oct 2015 1630) I love the exasperated cluck too. Beautiful. Lest there be any offence, may I just say I think the cast of continuitors are all simply wonderful, and I would campaign naked down Carnaby Street if any future BBC regulator were to dare to suggest their removal.
Oct 04, 2015•20 sec•Ep. 1072
Another fond look back to this week in radio history, for the week ending October 2nd 2015, as heard at the end of the week's RadioTalk podcast from Radio Today
Oct 04, 2015•8 min•Ep. 1071
The low-key switch on of the seriously overdue Lincolnshire Multiplex.
Sep 30, 2015•4 min•Ep. 1070
Another fond look back to this week in radio history, for the week ending September 25th 2015, as heard at the end of the week's RadioTalk podcast from Radio Today
Sep 25, 2015•8 min•Ep. 1069
The start of the bright yellow Century Radio, from the North East, in the days when it did not envisage ever becoming a brand. The station launched in 1994, backed by Border Television, in the hands of the irrepressible John Myers who carved it out in his own image - big, loud and with a powerful personality. Heavy on speech, with a demanding Radio Authority Format, discharged through blocks of phone ins surrounded by AC and pop music, it attracted huge listening hours and became a force to be r...
Sep 25, 2015•6 min•Ep. 1068
Another fond look back to this week in radio history, for the week ending September 18th 2015, as heard at the end of the week's RadioTalk podcast from Radio Today
Sep 16, 2015•6 min•Ep. 1067
Another fond look back to this week in radio history, for the week ending September 11th 2015, as heard at the end of the week's RadioTalk podcast from Radio Today
Sep 11, 2015•7 min•Ep. 1066
The Queen had a good first show. No accapella name-check jingles, but she surely left an impression. It was an early double act, with Princess Margaret by her side, just chipping in at the end, but not doing the travel news. Enjoy here the immaculate first broadcast from then then Princess Elizabeth, as part of Children’s Hour from the BBC Home Service on 13th October 1940. Anyone who doubts how language and delivery changes over the years, even in the Queen’s case, should listen to this....
Sep 09, 2015•4 min•Ep. 1065
Another fond look back to this week in radio history, for the week ending September 4th 2015, as heard at the end of the week's RadioTalk podcast from Radio Today
Sep 01, 2015•6 min•Ep. 1064
Another fond look back to this week in radio history, for the week ending August 28th 2015, as heard at the end of the week's RadioTalk podcast from Radio Today
Aug 27, 2015•4 min•Ep. 1063
Another fond look back to this week in radio history, for the week ending August 21st 2015, as heard at the end of the week's RadioTalk podcast from Radio Today
Aug 21, 2015•6 min•Ep. 1062
Another fond look back to this week in radio history, for the week ending August 14th 2015, as heard at the end of the week's RadioTalk podcast from Radio Today
Aug 12, 2015•6 min•Ep. 1061
Aug 09, 2015•1 min•Ep. 1060
Aug 09, 2015•2 min•Ep. 1059
Another fond look back to this week in radio history, for the week ending August 7th 2015, as heard at the end of the week's RadioTalk podcast from Radio Today
Aug 07, 2015•5 min•Ep. 1058
Radio found its place during World War II in so many ways. From providing reassurance and company to dispensing vital information; from boosting morale to spreading propaganda. The many American Forces personnel stationed in the UK, accustomed to vibrant US radio, were a little perplexed by staid Auntie BBC, even its General Forces Programme, which was doing so much to provide for the needs of our own troops. As the number of Americans grew, it was clear a dedicated service would be required, an...
Aug 04, 2015•1 min•Ep. 1057
Aug 02, 2015•5 min•Ep. 1056
Just after Mrs Thatcher declared that terrorists should be starved of the "oxygen of publicity", it transpired a senior Republican paramilitary had been interviewed for a BBC 'Real Lives' documentary: 'At the Edge of the Union'. Home Secretary, Leon Brittan, wrote to the BBC Chairman, Stuart Young, asking the BBC to cancel the broadcast. The Governors called an emergency meeting and ordered that it could not go out. When this was seen as government censorship, BBC and staff in other media went o...
Aug 02, 2015•44 sec•Ep. 1055
Another fond look back to this week in radio history, for the week ending July 31st 2015, as heard at the end of the week's RadioTalk podcast from Radio Today.
Jul 30, 2015•5 min•Ep. 1054
Another fond look back to this week in radio history, for the week ending July 24th 2015, as heard at the end of the week's RadioTalk podcast from Radio Today.
Jul 23, 2015•7 min•Ep. 1053
Pieces about DAB on BBC Radio 4 are always a little challenging. Despite many their listeners being some of the earliest investors in DAB technology and the appreciable proportion of listening on that very platform, interrogation on the issue, whether on You & Yours or on the Today programme, is always a tad sniffy. Luckily, the reluctant hosts are usually outwitted by guests who know their stuff. This piece with James Cridland on 20th July 2015.
Jul 21, 2015•6 min•Ep. 1052
