2015 in British radio

none October 2023 2015 British radio British television British music This is a list of events in British radio during 2015. Events January 1 January – BBC Radio 4 airs a 10-hour adaptation of Tolstoy's War and Peace written by Timberlake Wertenbaker.Luke Harding https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/dec/31/war-and-peace-radio-4-adaptation-leo-tolstoy War and Peace on Radio 4: a ripping adaptation to grip a hungover nation Guardian Media Group London The Guardian 31 December 2014 2 January 2015 5 January – Magic launches nationally on Digital One, while all Magic Network AM stations in the north of England are rebranded as Bauer City 2. Absolute Radio changes from broadcasting in stereo to mono to make way for Magic on DAB.Martin Roy http://radiotoday.co.uk/2015/01/bauer-puts-magic-on-d1-puts-absolute-in-mono/ Bauer puts Magic on D1, puts Absolute in mono Radio Today 5 January 2015 7 January 2015 7 January – Ken Bruce celebrates 30 years as a presenter with BBC Radio 2.Roy Martin http://radiotoday.co.uk/2015/01/ken-bruce-gets-surprise-phone-call-from-himself/ Ken Bruce gets surprise phone call from himself Radio Today 7 January 2015 7 January 2015 9 January – UTV Media confirms that it is considering the sale of some of its UK radio stations.John Plunkett https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jan/09/talksport-utv-local-radio-stations-england Talksport owner UTV eyes up sale of local radio stations in England Guardian Media Group The Guardian 9 January 2015 13 January 2015 12 January – Simon Bates begins presenting the breakfast show for BBC Radio Devon.https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2014/simon-bates-radio-devon BBC Radio Devon announces Simon Bates as new Breakfast presenter from 12 January BBC BBC Media Centre 2 December 2014 13 January 2015 The programme is quickly criticised on social media for its lack of direction, while Deborah Vinton of the Plymouth Herald describes BBC Radio Devon's decision to employ Bates as a "huge and costly mistake".Deborah Vinton http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Simon-Bates-BBC-Radio-Devon-rubbish-says-Deborah/story-25861784-detail/story.html https://archive.today/20150118212908/http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Simon-Bates-BBC-Radio-Devon-rubbish-says-Deborah/story-25861784-detail/story.html dead 18 January 2015 Simon Bates on BBC Radio Devon is rubbish, says Deborah Vinton, Ivybridge Local World Plymouth Herald 15 January 2015 16 January 2015 19 January – The Hits is split into a network of fresh-hits DAB stations in Bauer's heritage areas – Bauer City 3 – with split localised news, branding and advertising, and shared programme content. This programming also remains available nationally on Freeview under The Hits Radio name.Bauer City Network 3 launches on local DAB Radio Today, 19 January 2015 The Hits is removed from DAB in London and Birmingham, the Birmingham space going to Kisstory (then to KissFresh after Kisstory's move to Sound Digital in 2016). Ofcom finds Kiss FM to have breached its regulations after it played an explicit version of Calvin Harris's "Open Wide" on an edition of its Kiss Official Top 40 in November 2014.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-30880221 Calvin Harris song breaches Ofcom rules BBC BBC News 19 January 2015 19 January 2015 25 January – Clara Amfo joins BBC Radio 1 and becomes the new presenter of The Official Chart. 28 January – It is announced that Georgey Spanswick will take over the Friday edition of the BBC Local Radio evening programme from April as Mark Forrest reduces his number of weekly shows from five to four.Roy Martin http://radiotoday.co.uk/2015/01/mark-forrest-drops-to-four-nights-on-bbc-locals/ Mark Forrest drops to four nights on BBC locals Radio Today 28 January 2015 30 January 2015 February 2 February – Ofcom reprimands BBC Radio 1 after presenter Nick Grimshaw played a live recording of the Foo Fighters song "Something from Nothing" which contained two expletives during an edition of his breakfast show in November 2014.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-31091319 Radio 1 rapped for Foo Fighters swearing BBC BBC News 2 February 2015 2 February 2015 The Radio Today website reports that Burslem based community station 6 Towns Radio was banned from reporting on Port Vale matches by the club's chairman following the way the station is alleged to have handled a charity day at the beginning of the 2014–15 season.Roy Martin http://radiotoday.co.uk/2015/02/radio-station-banned-from-football-matches/ Radio station banned from football matches Radio Today 2 February 2015 2 February 2015 3 February – Ofcom announces that two bids have been received for the second national digital multiplex.Roy Martin http://radiotoday.co.uk/2015/02/digital-two-applications-published-by-ofcom/ Digital Two applications published by Ofcom Radio Today 3 February 2015 4 February 2015 10 February – Radio Today reports that the RNIB have removed Insight Radio from Sky and Freesat in order to concentrate on its Freeview service. Absolute Radio 70s has replaced Insight Radio on Sky Channel 0188.Roy Martin http://radiotoday.co.uk/2015/02/insight-radio-removed-from-sky-freesat/ Insight Radio removed from Sky & Freesat Radio Today 10 February 2015 10 February 2015 10 February – Making his debut on Radio 4's Just a Minute, actor David Tennant becomes the quiz show's most successful debut contestant after speaking about William Shakespeare's stage direction "Exit, Pursued by a Bear", for 60 seconds without once being interrupted.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-31375654 David Tennant makes Radio 4 Just a Minute record BBC BBC News 10 February 2015 11 February 2015 15 February – It is announced that Zane Lowe will leave Radio 1 in March after twelve years with the network. Annie Mac will take over his weekday evening new music programme. Lowe's last show will be on 5 March.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-31470124 Zane Lowe to leave Radio 1 in March BBC BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat 15 February 2015 15 February 2015 18 February – Radio 1 denies banning Madonna's latest single "Living for Love" from the airwaves because of her age following complaints from listeners because the song was not added to the station's playlist.Chi Chi Izundu https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-31517956 Is Madonna really banned from the BBC Radio 1 playlist? BBC BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat 18 February 2015 18 February 2015 19 February – BBC Radio Ulster announces a shake up of its schedule, which includes extending Cherrie McIlwaine's music show to five nights a week.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2015/02/more-cherrie-mcilwaine-at-bbc-radio-ulster/ More Cherrie McIlwaine at BBC Radio Ulster Radio Today 19 February 2015 22 February 2015 22 February – Victory, the first of two forgotten screenplays written by Harold Pinter that have been recorded for radio, is aired by Radio 4. The second play, The Dreaming Child, airs on 28 February.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-31573679 Radio 4 to broadcast forgotten Harold Pinter screenplays BBC BBC News 22 February 2015 22 February 2015 24 February – A glitch at Heart Scotland allows listeners to hear a private conversation between breakfast presenters Robin Galloway and Adele Cunningham after their microphones remain live following the end of the show. The conversation includes expletives and a discussion about circumcision. The pair later apologise over the incident.Roy Martin http://radiotoday.co.uk/2015/02/robin-and-adele-say-sorry-for-swearing-incident/ Robin and Adele say sorry for swearing incident Radio Today 27 February 2015 27 February 2015 26 February – The Radio 1 Chart Show may be moved from Sunday to a different day of the week after the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry announced moves for Friday to become a worldwide day for the release of new music. Presently singles are released in the UK on Sundays and albums the following day.John Plunkett https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/feb/26/bbc-radio-1-chart-show-move-sundays BBC Radio 1 chart show could be moved from Sundays Guardian Media Group The Guardian 26 February 2015 27 February 2015 27 February – Fearne Cotton announces she is to leave Radio 1 to start "a new chapter".https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-31660977 Fearne Cotton is leaving Radio 1 and having another baby BBC BBC Radio 1 27 February 2015 27 February 2015 March 3 March – Several BBC local radio stations are launched on Freeview, with ten of the 40 local stations in England now broadcasting on the platform. They can be found on channels 719 to 722.Roy Martin http://radiotoday.co.uk/2015/03/bbc-local-radio-stations-launch-on-freeview/ BBC local radio stations launch on Freeview Radio Today 3 March 2015 4 March 2015 4 March – Jazz FM celebrates its 25th anniversary with a series of clips from its archives.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2015/03/jazz-fm-looks-back-at-25-years-of-radio/ Jazz FM looks back at 25 years of radio Radio Today 4 March 2015 4 March 2015 Radio 1 DJ Nihal criticises the station's diversity, and claims that "nothing has changed" at the BBC since its former Director-General Greg Dyke described it as "hideously white" in 2001.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-31731397 BBC News BBC DJ Nihal criticises Radio 1 diversity BBC 4 March 2015 4 March 2015 12 March – Madonna criticises Radio 1's decision not to play her latest single as "discriminatory and unfair".https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-31851130 BBC News Madonna criticises Radio 1 'ban' BC 12 March 2015 12 March 2015 19 March – As part of BBC cost-cutting plans Radio 1 is to reduce the number of live music events it covers.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-31966127 BBC News Radio 1 to slash live music coverage BBC 19 March 2015 20 March 2015 23 March – Police charge DJ Neil Fox with nine counts of sexual assault against six individuals, including three children.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-32022625 Neil Fox charged with sex assaults BBC News BBC 23 March 2015 23 March 2015 24 March – Radio 1 announces that The Official Chart will move from Sundays to Friday afternoons from mid-July in response to changes in the day new music is released. There will also be a live television programme on the CBBC Channel.Mark Savage https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-32019327 Radio 1 chart show moving to Friday afternoons BBC News BBC 24 March 2015 24 March 2015 27 March – BBC Radio 2 newsreader and continuity announcer Alan Dedicoat presents his final bulletins for the network after 28 years. But although he is retiring from radio, Dedicoat will continue his work on television.Martin Roy http://radiotoday.co.uk/2015/03/newsreader-alan-dedicoat-to-exit-bbc-radio-2/ Newsreader Alan Dedicoat to exit BBC Radio 2 Radio Today 24 March 2015 24 March 2015 The Sound Digital consortium, which includes UTV Media, wins the licence to launch the Digital Two network in 2016. UTV Media will launch four new stations on the platform.Paul O'Donoghue http://www.independent.ie/business/media/rte-loses-out-to-utv-in-uk-digital-radio-bid-31100387.html RTE loses out to UTV in UK digital radio bid Independent News and Media The Irish Independent 27 March 2015 31 March 2015 31 March – Ofcom launches an investigation into Bauer Media and Absolute Radio for an alleged breach of its regulations, but no details of the incident are to be released until the investigation is complete.Martin Roy http://radiotoday.co.uk/2015/03/ofcom-launches-absolute-radio-investigation/ Ofcom launches Absolute Radio investigation Radio Today 30 March 2015 31 March 2015 April 2 April – Absolute 80s announces that it will begin airing classic charts from the 1980s in the 4.00–7.00pm Sunday slot vacated by Radio 1. The show, hosted by Martyn Lee, will begin in May.Martin Roy http://radiotoday.co.uk/2015/04/absolute-80s-to-introduce-sunday-night-chart/ Absolute 80s to introduce Sunday night chart Radio Today 2 April 2015 4 April 2015 5 April – BBC Radio 3 Controller Alan Davey announces plans to revive Pied Piper, the 1970s series that introduced young listeners to classical music.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-32188580 Radio 3 boss to recreate Pied Piper series BBC News BBC 5 April 2015 5 April 2015 15 April – Schedule changes at Radio 1 and BBC 1Xtra are announced for early June. They will see Adele Roberts presenting the Early Breakfast Show currently hosted by Gemma Cairney. Cairney will become the station's social action presenter, hosting The Surgery and documentaries for both networks.Eames Tom http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a642027/ex-big-brother-star-adele-roberts-to-host-early-breakfast-show-on-bbc-radio-1.html#~pa2EQpqsMLjtA3 Ex-Big Brother star Adele Roberts to host early breakfast show on BBC Radio 1 Digital Spy 15 April 2015 16 April 2015 28 April – Sandi Toksvig announces she is to step down as presenter of Radio 4's The News Quiz after nine years.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-32495153 Sandi Toksvig steps down from Radio 4's News Quiz BBC News BBC 28 April 2015 28 April 2015 She subsequently announces that she decided to leave the programme in order to establish a new political party named the Women's Equality Party.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-32531750 Sandi Toksvig campaigns for equality with new political party BBC News BBC 30 April 2015 30 April 2015 29 April – BBC television sitcom Peter Kay's Car Share introduces the fictitious radio station Forever FM. May 19 May – BBC Radio 2 presenter Chris Evans announces that Jeremy Clarkson will be a guest on the 21 May edition of his breakfast show, where the pair will discuss Clarkson's departure from Top Gear. The interview is Clarkson's first since leaving the programme.http://www.tv3.ie/xpose/article/entertainment-news/167350/Jeremy-Clarkson-to-give-BBC-interview-to-Chris-Evans Jeremy Clarkson to give BBC interview to Chris Evans TV3 Xposé TV3 19 May 2015 19 May 2015 During his subsequent appearance on the show, Clarkson describes the reason for his sacking from Top Gear as being "my own silly fault".https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-32819280 Jeremy Clarkson: 'Top Gear exit was my own silly fault' BBC News BBC 21 May 2015 21 May 2015 20 May – Ofcom clears Global Radio over a decision to advise its radio stations to drop reports about the HSBC tax controversy on the day the story broke. Reporting of the story was resumed some days later. The regulatory body finds that no third party was involved in influencing Global's decision.John Plunkett https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/may/19/capital-lbc-owner-global-radio-hsbc?CMP=ema_546 Capital and LBC owner Global Radio advised stations to drop HSBC story Guardian Media Group The Guardian 20 May 2015 20 May 2015 21 May – Figures released by RAJAR indicate that BBC Radio 4 Extra has overtaken BBC 6 Music as the most listened digital only radio station, with 2.17 million tuning in weekly to BBC Radio 4 Extra compared to 2.06 million for BBC 6 Music.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-32816012 Radio 4 Extra overtakes 6 Music with record listeners BBC News BBC 21 May 2015 21 May 2015 22 May – Fearne Cotton presents her final show for BBC Radio 1 after ten years with the network.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-32844583 Fearne Cotton broadcasts final Radio 1 show BBC News BBC 22 May 2015 22 May 2015 23–24 – Radio 1's Big Weekend takes place at Norwich's Earlham Park. Acts appearing on stage include Taylor Swift, Muse, Fall Out Boy and the Foo Fighters.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-32840922 Norwich, get ready for Radio 1’s Big Weekend BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat BBC 23 May 2015 23 May 2015https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-32871300 Foo Fighters and Taylor Swift close Radio 1's Big Weekend in Norwich BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat BBC 24 May 2015 24 May 2015 June 3 June – Radio 4 presenter James Naughtie apologises after facing an online backlash because he referred to transgender celebrity Caitlyn Jenner in the male gender during a discussion on the Today programme.https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jun/03/bbc-james-naughtie-caitlyn-jenner-radio-4-today?CMP=ema_546 BBC's James Naughtie apologises for calling Caitlyn Jenner 'he' Guardian Media Group The Guardian 3 June 2015 4 June 2015 5 June – UTV Media agrees a £10 million deal to sell Liverpool's Juice FM to Global Radio.http://www.independent.ie/business/utv-media-sells-liverpool-radio-station-for-136m-31279852.html UTV Media sells Liverpool radio station for €13.6m Independent News and Media The Irish Independent 5 June 2015 5 June 2015 8 June – Apple announce the launch of Apple Music, a service that will include Beats 1, a worldside radio station based in Britain and the United States, and headed by former Radio 1 presenter Zane Lowe.Stuart Dredge https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jun/08/apple-music-streaming-service-wwdc-spotify?CMP=ema_546 Apple unveils streaming service Apple Music and 24-hour radio stations Guardian Media Group The Guardian 8 June 2015 10 June 2015 11 June – It is confirmed that the Official Chart Show will move to Fridays from 10 July to coincide with the new weekly worldwide music release day. The programme, titled The Official Chart with Greg James, will air on Radio 1 at 4.00pm on Fridays.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-33091610 Official Chart to move to Friday on 10 July BBC News BBC 11 June 2015 11 June 2015 28 June – Radio 4 will mark National Poetry Day on 8 October with a series of poems telling the story of Britain. We British: An Epic In Poetry will run throughout the day and see Andrew Marr, Dominic West and Fiona Shaw reading works by names such as Walter Raleigh, William Shakespeare, Geoffrey Chaucer and William Wordsworth.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-33303401 Andrew Marr to tell Britain's history via poetry on Radio 4 BBC News BBC 28 June 2015 28 June 2015 29 June – BBC Radio 4 announces the commissioning of Dead Girls Tell No Tales, a drama telling the behind-the-scenes story of a plotline from The Archers which saw the character Grace Archer killed in a fire in 1955.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-33288079 Radio drama to focus on Archers fire BBC News BBC 29 June 2015 30 June 2015 Miles Jupp is revealed as the new presenter of Radio 4's The News Quiz, succeeding Sandi Toksvig.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-33315631 Miles Jupp to host The News Quiz BBC News BBC 29 June 2015 30 June 2015 30 June – Launch of Apple's global radio station Beats 1.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-33334194 Apple's Beats 1 radio station launches BBC News BBC 30 June 2015 30 June 2015 July 4 July – Stephanie Hirst returns to radio to present a 90s show for BBC Radio Manchester. 5 July – The final Sunday broadcast of Radio 1's Official UK Chart Show.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-33400359 Lionel Richie storms album chart BBC News BBC 5 July 2015 5 July 2015 7 July – James Naughtie announces he will leave the Today programme after 21 years to become a special correspondent at the end of the year.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-33423245 James Naughtie to leave Radio 4 Today programme BBC News BBC 7 July 2015 7 July 2015 Writing for the Radio Times, BBC Radio 3 presenter Suzy Klein describes the critics of a planned BBC Proms concert celebrating the sounds of Ibiza as "snobs and scaremongers".https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-33425935 Radio 3 presenter slams Proms 'snobs' BBC News BBC 7 July 2015 7 July 2015 9 July – Nick Robinson is to step down from the role of BBC News's political editor in order to succeed James Naughtie as presenter of BBC Radio 4's Today programme. He will also report on news and current affairs for radio and television.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33466774 Nick Robinson leaves BBC political editor role BBC News BBC 9 July 2015 9 July 2015 10 July – The first Friday broadcast of Radio 1's Official UK Chart Show.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-33475265 Ed Sheeran and David Zowie top UK's first Friday pop charts BBC News BBC 10 July 2015 10 July 2015 14 July – BBC radio programmes will be made available for download to smartphones and tablets for the first time within days.Jasper Jackson https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jul/14/bbc-radio-shows-mobile-and-tablet-downloads-apple-android?CMP=ema_546 BBC radio shows set for mobile and tablet downloads Guardian Media Group The Guardian 14 July 2015 19 July 2015 31 July – The first of ten multiplexes trialling small-scale DAB multiplexes launches in Brighton. Each multiplex is initially licensed for nine months but the trial periods are later extended and the multiplexes are now licensed until March 2020. August 6 August – Official figures released by RAJAR indicate that Nick Grimshaw's breakfast show has increased its audience in the second quarter of 2015, up from 5.5 million to 5.84 million. Figures for the first quarter were the lowest for the programme since Grimshaw succeeded Chris Moyles.Mark Sweney https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/aug/06/radio-1-claws-back-listeners-nick-grimshaw?CMP=ema_546 BBC Radio 1 claws back listeners as Nick Grimshaw recovers from breakfast low Guardian Media Group The Guardian 6 August 2015 2 July 2017 12 August – The National Union of Journalists announce that staff at the BBC Asian Network are to stage a one-day strike on 19 August in protest at planned cuts to the service.Kevin Rawlinson https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/aug/12/bbc-asian-network-staff-to-strike?CMP=ema_546 BBC Asian Network staff to strike Guardian Media Group The Guardian 12 August 2015 2 July 2017 13 August – BBC Radio Solent presenter Alex Dyke is suspended after he told listeners during a phone in the previous day that breastfeeding in public was “unnatural” and “must be stopped”.Jasper Jackson https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/aug/13/bbc-removes-recording-of-dj-saying-breastfeeding-in-public-must-stop-alex-dyke?CMP=ema_546 BBC suspends DJ who said breastfeeding in public 'must stop' Guardian Media Group The Guardian 13 August 2015 2 July 2017 Labour Party London mayoral hopeful and practising Muslim Sadiq Khan criticises the talk radio station LBC for the way it reported the findings of a YouGov poll that asked whether Londoners would be comfortable with the idea of a Muslim mayor.Andrew Sparrow https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/aug/13/sadiq-khan-blasts-lbc-for-suggesting-most-would-not-back-muslim-mayor?CMP=ema_546 Sadiq Khan blasts LBC for suggesting half would not back Muslim mayor Guardian Media Group The Guardian 13 August 2015 2 July 2017 Another Labour potential candidate, Christian Wolmar, criticises the station after he and another candidate hopeful were excluded from an on-air hustings meeting.Jasper Jackson https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/aug/13/christian-wolmar-lbc-excluding-mayoral-hustings-labour?CMP=ema_546 Christian Wolmar attacks LBC for excluding him from mayoral hustings Guardian Media Group The Guardian 13 August 2015 2 July 2017 September 7 September – Global announces that XFM will be relaunched as a national station called Radio X on 21 September.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2015/09/full-line-up-for-globals-radio-x-confirmed/ Full line-up for Global's Radio X confirmed RadioToday 7 September 2015 7 September 2015 Absolute Radio starts broadcasting on FM in the West Midlands, replacing Planet Rock.http://www.a516digital.com/2015/07/absolute-radio-to-replace-planet-rock.html x.com 7 January 2025 13 September – Ahead of the relaunch of XFM as Radio X, Global hands back the Paisley licence, on which it had broadcast XFM Scotland, to Ofcom when the regulator refused Global's request to network 24/7 from London. 21 September – Chris Moyles returns to radio to present a breakfast show for Radio X to coincide with the relaunch of XFM as Radio X.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-34173605 Chris Moyles to go back on air with Radio X BBC News BBC 7 September 2015 2 July 2017Chris Moyles joins Radio X http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/news/a667128/chris-moyles-announces-he-is-the-new-radio-x-breakfast-show-presenter.html#~pnVW4NIA9tVEjc digitalspy.co.uk Digital Spy 11 September 2015 October 1 October – BBC Radio 3 unveils its autumn schedule, with highlights including an appearance by playwright Alan Bennett on Private Passions, and actor Alec Baldwin on Essential Classics.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-34413756 Alan Bennett and Alec Baldwin among Radio 3 highlights BBC News BBC 1 October 2015 2 July 2017 Plans to expand BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra are dropped for a second time over concerns over the impact it would have on commercial rivals such as Talksport.BBC plans to expand 5 Live Sports Extra get second red card 2015-10-01 The Guardian https://web.archive.org/web/20230405044532/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/oct/01/bbc-5-live-sports-extra 2023-04-05 live https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/oct/01/bbc-5-live-sports-extra 6 October – After 27 years, the name BBC Radio London returns to the airwaves following a name change from BBC London 94.9. 8 October – Radio 4 marks National Poetry Day with a series of poems telling the story of Britain. We British: An Epic In Poetry runs throughout the day and sees Andrew Marr, Dominic West and Fiona Shaw reading works by names such as Walter Raleigh, William Shakespeare, Geoffrey Chaucer and William Wordsworth. 12 October – Manchester station Sunset 102 returns after 22 years as The New Sunset Radio with programming that is similar to the original and features many of the original DJs. November 12–15 November – BBC Radio 3 joins with commercial station Jazz FM to operate a four-day pop-up station called BBC Music Jazz.https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2015/bbc-radio-jazz-pop-up-station BBC Radio to launch temporary Jazz Pop-up digital radio station with Jazz FM and The EFG London Jazz Festival www.bbc.co.uk 7 January 2025 December 3 December – The last of the ten multiplexes trialling small-scale DAB multiplexes launches in Glasgow. 7 December – Liverpool stations Radio City 2 and Radio City Talk swap wavebands. City 2 moves from AM to FM with City Talk going in the opposite direction.Simon Ross moves to Radio City 2 Breakfast, RadioToday, 30 November 2015 16 December – James Naughtie presents the Today programme for the final time after 21 years to become a special correspondent.May 2020 Station debuts 12 January – Wandsworth Radio (later Riverside Radio)https://radiotoday.co.uk/2025/01/riverside-radio-marks-10-years-of-broadcasting-with-a-charity-appeal/ Riverside Radio marks 10 years of broadcasting with a charity appeal 7 January 2025 Radio Today 7 January 2025 Undated in December – The VIP Loungehttp://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/13894993.Blind_man_s_radio_station_to_help_others/ Blind man's radio station to help others Oxford Mail Newsquest 25 October 2015 2 July 2017 Programme debuts 17 January – Stumped on the BBC World Service (2015–Present) 25 February – Boswell's Lives on BBC Radio 4 (2015–2018) 18 September – Shush! on BBC Radio 4 (2015–2017) 18 November – Ankle Tag on BBC Radio 4 (2015 (Pilot), 2017–2020) Changes of network affiliation ShowMoved fromMoved toThe Chris Moyles ShowBBC Radio 1Radio X Returning this year after a break of one year or longer 21 September – The Chris Moyles Show on Radio X (2004–2012, 2015–Present) Continuing radio programmes 1940s The Sunday Hour (1940–2018) Desert Island Discs (1942–Present) Woman's Hour (1946–Present) A Book at Bedtime (1949–Present) 1950s The Archers (1950–Present) The Today Programme (1957–Present) 1960s Farming Today (1960–Present) In Touch (1961–Present) The World at One (1965–Present) The Official Chart (1967–Present) Just a Minute (1967–Present) The Living World (1968–Present) The Organist Entertains (1969–2018) 1970s PM (1970–Present) Start the Week (1970–Present) You and Yours (1970–Present) I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue (1972–Present) Good Morning Scotland (1973–Present) Newsbeat (1973–Present) File on 4 (1977–Present) Money Box (1977–Present) The News Quiz (1977–Present) Feedback (1979–Present) The Food Programme (1979–Present) Science in Action (1979–Present) 1980s Steve Wright in the Afternoon (1981–1993, 1999–2022) In Business (1983–Present) Sounds of the 60s (1983–Present) Loose Ends (1986–Present) 1990s The Moral Maze (1990–Present) Essential Selection (1991–Present) Essential Mix (1993–Present) Up All Night (1994–Present) Wake Up to Money (1994–Present) Private Passions (1995–Present) In Our Time (1998–Present) Material World (1998–Present) Scott Mills (1998–2022) The Now Show (1998–Present) 2000s BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards (2000–Present) Big John @ Breakfast (2000–Present) Sounds of the 70s (2000–2008, 2009–Present) Dead Ringers (2000–2007, 2014–Present) Kermode and Mayo's Film Review (2001–2022) A Kist o Wurds (2002–Present) Fighting Talk (2003–Present) Jeremy Vine (2003–Present) Annie Mac (2004–2021) Elaine Paige on Sunday (2004–Present) The Bottom Line (2006–Present) The Christian O'Connell Breakfast Show (2006–Present) The Unbelievable Truth (2006–Present) Radcliffe & Maconie (2007–Present) Geoff Lloyd's Hometime Show/Geoff Lloyd with Annabel Port (2008–2017) The Media Show (2008–Present) Newsjack (2009–Present) Paul O'Grady on the Wireless (2009–2022) Alan and Mel's Summer Escape (2009–2020) 2010s The Chris Evans Breakfast Show (2010–2018) Graham Norton (2010–2020) Simon Mayo Drivetime (2010–2018) The Third Degree (2011–Present) BBC Radio 1's Dance Anthems (2012–Present) Late Night Graham Torrington (2012–2020) The Radio 1 Breakfast Show with Nick Grimshaw (2012–2018) Sounds of the 80s (2013–Present) Question Time Extra Time (2013–Present) The Show What You Wrote (2013–Present) Friday Sports Panel (2014–Present) Home Front (2014–Present) Ending this year 22 May – Fearne Cotton (2009–2015) 8 November – Weekend Wogan (2010–2015) Closing this year Date Station Debut(s)11 FebruaryRadio Hafren199319 OctoberTime 106.61993 Deaths 22 March – Derek Chinnery, 89, controller (BBC Radio 1)Martin Roy http://radiotoday.co.uk/2015/03/tributes-paid-to-radio-1s-derek-chinnery/ Tributes paid to Radio 1’s Derek Chinnery Radio Today 22 March 2015 1 April 2015 26 April – Colin Bloomfield, 33, presenter (BBC Radio Derby)Crowson Isaac http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Colin-Bloomfield-died-fighting-cancer/story-26388846-detail/story.html Colin Bloomfield has died after fighting cancer Local World Derby Telegraph 26 April 2015 1 May 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150427185826/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Colin-Bloomfield-died-fighting-cancer/story-26388846-detail/story.html 27 April 2015 dead dmy-all 1 July – Edward Greenfield, 86, classical music critic and presenter 12 August – Ray Daniels, 52, presenter (West Sound, Real Radio Scotland)http://radiotoday.co.uk/2015/08/veteran-scottish-broadcaster-ray-daniels-dies/ Veteran scottish broadcaster Ray Daniels dies Radio Today 13 August 2015 2 July 2017 2 November – Peter Donaldson, 70, newsreader References 30em Radio British Radio, 2014 In Category:Years in British radio