2011 in British radio

none October 2023 2011 British radio British television British music This is a list of events in British radio during 2011. Events January 1 January – Gem 106 replaces Heart 106. 2 January – BBC Radio 4's soap The Archers celebrates its 60th anniversary on air.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12051577 The Archers celebrates its 60th birthday BBC BBC News David Sillito 31 December 2010 5 January 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110106105805/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12051577 6 January 2011 live 3 January – 95.8 Capital FM London launches nationally and becomes a part of The Capital FM Network as part of a merger of Global Radio's Hit Music and Galaxy networks to form the nine-station 'Capital Network'.Global Radio takes Capital national, Brand Republic, 13 September 2010 Other than daily breakfast and weekday drivetime shows, the majority of Capital's London-based output will be networked.Capital FM to replace Galaxy https://web.archive.org/web/20101125070521/http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.6265 November 25, 2010 , RadioToday, 13 September 2010 4 January – Simon Bates joins Smooth Radio to become its new national breakfast presenter.https://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/aug/17/simon-bates-classic-fm-smooth Simon Bates to leave Classic FM for Smooth Radio Mark Sweney Guardian Media Group The Guardian 17 August 2010 28 November 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101026054234/http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/aug/17/simon-bates-classic-fm-smooth 26 October 2010 live https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2011/jan/05/radio-head-smooth-simon-bates Radio head: Smooth Simon Bates Elisabeth Mahoney Guardian Media Group The Guardian 5 January 2011 1 April 2011 11 January – KMFM West Kent and KMFM Maidstone merge their breakfast shows, meaning all programming is shared across both stations.http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.6625 KMFM merge two breakfasts Radio Today 11 January 2011 27 March 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110116045740/http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.6625 16 January 2011 12 January – Presenter Pat Sharp is appointed as Smooth Radio's Weekend Breakfast presenter with immediate effect.http://www.gmgradio.com/news/story/pat-sharp-to-join-smooth-radio-lineup/168 Pat Sharp to Join Smooth Radio Line-up Guardian Media Group GMG Radio 12 January 2011 27 March 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20111219025421/http://www.gmgradio.com/news/story/pat-sharp-to-join-smooth-radio-lineup/168 19 December 2011 He had been presenting the show since December 2010,http://radiotoday.co.uk/2011/01/sharp-keeps-it-smooth/ Pat Sharp keeps it Smooth Radio Today 12 January 2011 26 January 2012 having taken over from Graham Dene who had been standing in since Tony Blackburn's departure in October. 13 January – Sam Orford debuts on Seahaven FM. 17 January – Vanessa Feltz joins Radio 2, taking over Sarah Kennedy's old early morning show.https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/vanessa-feltz-to-take-over-sarah-kennedy-radio-2-show-2141680.html Vanessa Feltz to take over Sarah Kennedy Radio 2 show Independent Print Limited The Independent 23 November 2010 27 November 2010 25 November 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101125155159/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/vanessa-feltz-to-take-over-sarah-kennedy-radio-2-show-2141680.html dead 25 January – The BBC World Service is to close five of its language services with the loss of 650 jobs.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12277413 BBC World Service to cut five language services BBC BBC News 26 January 2011 5 February 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110126044945/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12277413 26 January 2011 live 28 January – Sir Elton John apologises after using the F word during an appearance on the Chris Evans Breakfast Show.https://www.theguardian.com/media/mediamonkeyblog/2011/jan/28/elton-john-chris-evans Rocket Man drops the F-bomb Guardian Media Group The Guardian 28 January 2011 5 February 2011 31 January – BBC Radio 2 announces the cancellation of its annual Electric Proms season after five years, citing financial considerations. https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/jan/31/bbc-radio-2-electric-proms BBC Radio 2 axes Electric Proms Guardian Media Group The Guardian John Plunkett 31 January 2011 5 February 2011 February 1 February – It is reported that Jo Whiley will leave BBC Radio 1 after 17 years in April to move to Radio 2, where she will present an evening show from Mondays to Wednesdays, replacing The Radcliffe and Maconie Show. Radcliffe and Maconie will, in turn, move to 6 Music while Whiley's Radio 1 show will be taken over by Huw Stephens. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12333440 Jo Whiley to switch to Radio 2 BBC BBC News 1 February 2011 16 February 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110203050159/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12333440 3 February 2011 live 7 February – London dubstep, grime, and house music pirate station Rinse FM commences legal broadcasting with a Community radio license. 8 February – Richard Keys and Andy Gray, recently sacked by Sky Sports for sexist comments they made, are signed by Talksport to present a new show. https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/feb/08/richard-keys-andy-gray-talksport Richard Keys and Andy Gray join TalkSport Guardian Media Group The Guardian John Plunkett 8 February 2011 8 February 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110220204740/http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/feb/08/richard-keys-andy-gray-talksport 20 February 2011 live March 18 March – BBC Radio 1 presenter Chris Moyles breaks the record for presenting the longest radio programme, after hosting a 52-hour live broadcast in aid of Comic Relief 2011.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-12782536 Chris Moyles breaks radio show record for Comic Relief BBC BBC Radio 1 NewsBeat 18 March 2011 20 March 2011 27 March Emma B joins Smooth Radio to present a Sunday afternoon programme.https://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/news/a308876/emma-b-joins-smooth-radio.html Emma B joins Smooth Radio Digital Spy Andrew Laughlin 14 March 2011 24 March 2011 Due to budget cuts, transmission of the BBC World Service on 648 kHz MW ends. The transmissions, from the Orfordness transmitting station in Suffolk, have been on air since 1982 and had provided English-language coverage of the World Service to much of northern Europe. 28 March – Celador Radio files a format change request for The Coast to air classic and contemporary rock instead of adult alternative. http://www.radio-info.com/news/radio-in-the-uk--67 Radio in the U.K. Radio-Info.com 28 March 2011 27 May 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110402220031/http://www.radio-info.com/news/radio-in-the-uk--67 2 April 2011 April 1 April – Comedian Rob Brydon presents Ken Bruce's Radio 2 show, impersonating the Scottish presenter throughout the two-and-a-half-hour programme as an April Fool's joke.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12932043 BBC News Rob Brydon impersonates Radio 2's Ken Bruce BBC 1 April 2011 25 April 2014 2 April – BBC Radio 7 is rebranded as BBC Radio 4 Extra. 2 April – Fi Glover presents her last edition of Saturday Live. Rev. Richard Coles takes over the role from the following Saturday.https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2011/03_march/17/glover.shtml Changes to BBC Radio 4's Saturday Live BBC BBC Press Office 17 March 2011 4 March 2012 4 April – David "Kid" Jensen joins Smooth Radio to present a weekday afternoon show.http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.6821.17 Emma B joins Smooth Radio Radio Today 14 March 2011 27 March 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110317011326/http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.6821.17 17 March 2011 May 3 May – BBC Radio 3 resumes the broadcasting of regular live concerts. This overturns the much criticised 2007 decision to replace almost all of its live broadcasts with pre-recorded concerts.Radio 3 rolls back the years with a return to broadcasting live concerts 2011-02-17 The Guardian https://web.archive.org/web/20220818035631/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/feb/17/radio-3-returns-to-live-performances 2022-08-18 live https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/feb/17/radio-3-returns-to-live-performances 9 May – It is confirmed that Irish broadcaster Ryan Tubridy will join Radio 2 for eight weeks to present Graham Norton's show from 23 July while Norton is away.Irish TV and radio broadcaster Ryan Tubridy joins Radio 2 for summer shows http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2011/05_may/09/ryan_tubridy.shtml https://web.archive.org/web/20110512230830/http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2011/05_may/09/ryan_tubridy.shtml live 12 May 2011 9 May 2011 25 January 2012 BBC He returns to the network later in the year to cover for Ken Bruce over the Christmas period.Sweeney Ken Tubridy tipped for permanent move to BBC after accepting Christmas slot http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/tubridy-tipped-for-permanent-move-to-bbc-after-accepting-christmas-slot-2920556.html 25 January 2012 Irish Independent 29 October 2011Ryan Tubridy edges closer to BBC move http://www.joe.ie/entertainment/entertainment-news/ryan-tubridy-edges-closer-to-bbc-move-0017233-1 25 January 2012 JOE 29 October 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20150302185826/http://www.joe.ie/uncategorized/ryan-tubridy-edges-closer-to-bbc-move/28880?shortlink=1 2 March 2015 June 22 June – Radio 2 hosts 2DAY, a day of 12 hour-long programmes to promote some of the station's specialist output normally reserved for evenings and weekends.https://radiotoday.co.uk/2011/05/bbc-radio-2-to-run-promo-day/ BBC Radio 2 to run promo day Radio Today 16 May 2011 11 February 2012http://radiotoday.co.uk/2011/06/mixed-response-to-start-of-2day/ Mixed response to start of Radio 2's 2DAY Radio Today 22 June 2011 11 February 2012 July 21 July – The BBC confirms that Andy Parfitt will step down as Controller of Radio 1 after 13 years to pursue other opportunities from the end of the month. Parfitt will also relinquish the roles of Controller of BBC 1Xtra and the BBC Asian Network.https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2011/07_july/21/parfitt.shtml Andy Parfitt leaves Radio 1 after 13 years as Controller BBC BBC Press Office 21 July 2011 4 March 2012 28 July – GMG Radio announces that the Manchester-based station 106.1 Rock Radio will be re-branded as 106.1 Real Radio XS, and that Glasgow-based 96.3 Rock Radio will be sold.RADIO TODAY – GMG drop Rock Radio for Real Radio XS August 28 August – Alan Titchmarsh presents the final edition of Radio 2's Melodies For You. The programme – dedicated to popular classic and light music, and part of the station's schedule since the 1960s – has been scrapped as the station wishes to change its format for representing the genres.https://radiotoday.co.uk/2011/08/radio-2-drops-titchmarshs-sunday-show/ Radio 2 drops Titchmarsh's Sunday show Radio Today 19 August 2011 11 February 2012 31 August – Traffic Radio closes at 15:00 as the project is axed following the government spending review. August – The forces broadcaster BFBS ceases transmissions in Belize. http://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/59064 British Forces radio, BFBS, end of an era—signing off permanently in Belize Channel5Belize.com 8 April 2012 4 May 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180504011357/http://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/59064 dead September 1 September – Protesters from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign disrupt a concert given by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra for the BBC Proms at London's Royal Albert Hall. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14756736 Protests disrupt Proms concert by Israel Philharmonic BBC BBC News 2 September 2011 8 September 2011 5 September – Manchester station 106.1 Rock Radio is replaced by Real Radio XS. 11 September Gary Barlow headlines Radio 2's inaugural Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park music festival in London's Hyde Park. Barlow is a last minute replacement for Lionel Richie, who was forced to cancel his appearance due to ill health.https://www.bbc.co.uk/corporate2/mediacentre/latestnews/090911barlow https://web.archive.org/web/20181031052509/https://www.bbc.co.uk/corporate2/mediacentre/latestnews/090911barlow dead 31 October 2018 Gary Barlow to headline Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park BBC Media Centre BBC 9 September 2011 11 September 2018 On the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks on the United States, Smooth airs a documentary featuring British people who were living in New York City at the time of the attacks. This is followed by live coverage of the remembrance service from Ground Zero, the former site of the World Trade Center, which was destroyed in the attacks.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2011/09/smooth-airs-911-special-this-weekend/ Smooth airs 9/11 special this weekend Radio Today 9 September 2011 4 October 2012 live https://web.archive.org/web/20130724021810/http://radiotoday.co.uk/2011/09/smooth-airs-911-special-this-weekend/ 24 July 2013 September – Simon Bates presents a week of programmes from South Australia as part of a promotion in which Smooth Radio gives away a holiday to the state.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2011/08/simon-bates-goes-down-under-with-smooth/ Simon Bates goes Down Under with Smooth Radio Today 9 August 2011 24 January 2012 live https://web.archive.org/web/20111219053521/http://radiotoday.co.uk/2011/08/simon-bates-goes-down-under-with-smooth/ 19 December 2011 October 25 October – The BBC announces that, from next season, it will axe the second commentator for football matches as a cost-cutting measure.BBC Radio 5 Live to axe second commentator for football matches 2011-10-25 The Guardian https://web.archive.org/web/20230405044532/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/oct/25/bbc-radio-5-live-commentator 2023-04-05 live https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/oct/25/bbc-radio-5-live-commentator 28 October – Ben Cooper is appointed as Controller of Radio 1 and 1Xtra, replacing Andy Parfitt who stepped down in July. https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2011/10_october/28/radio1.shtml Ben Cooper appointed Controller, BBC Radio 1 & 1Xtra BBC BBC Press Office 28 October 2011 1 March 2012 31 October – The Broadcasting Standards watchdog Ofcom issues radio stations with a reminder of the rules regarding the airing of songs with expletive lyrics after several recent instances of such songs being played. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15525591 Ofcom warns radio broadcasters over explicit lyrics BBC BBC News 31 October 2011 31 October 2011 November 1 November – GMG Radio launches a dedicated station playing nothing but Christmas music, under the brand "Smooth Christmas". The station has no news or advertisements but promotes Smooth Radio and broadcasts until 27 December 2011.http://www.ukdigitalradio.com/news/display.asp?searchnews=&year=&id=376 Have yourself a very Smooth Xmas Ukdigitalradio.com 23 December 2011 31 December 2011 Broadcasters Sir Jimmy Young, Jane Garvey, Peter Allen and Andy Peebles are inducted into the Radio Academy Hall of Fame. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15541182 Sir Jimmy Young enters Radio Hall of Fame BBC BBC News 2 November 2011 9 January 2012 The radio industry news website Radio Today publishes a preview edition of Radio Today: The Magazine with plans to launch it as a monthly magazine from 2012. The edition is distributed to delegates at the 2011 Radio Festival.https://radiotoday.co.uk/2011/11/radio-today-launches-features-magazine/ launches features magazine Radio Today 1 November 2011 12 February 2012 7 November – The World at One on BBC Radio 4 is extended from 30 to 45 minutes. 22 November – Blind actor Ryan Kelly, who plays Jack 'Jazzer' McCreary in Radio 4's The Archers is the inaugural recipient of the Tyzack Award at the Ability Media International awards. The award recognises writers, producers and performers who "transcend the stereotypical".https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/ouch/2011/11/archers_jazzer_wins_disability.html Archers' Jazzer wins disability media award BBC 23 November 2011 10 January 2012 December 2 December – The BBC apologises after a BBC Radio Scotland presenter is heard to swear on air during a morning news bulletin when a technical glitch led to the words "the Borders" being repeated 37 times.July 2020 6 December – BBC Radio Wales launches on FM across the south of the country when it begins broadcasting on 103.9 from the Wenvoe transmitting station. It replaces a much smaller transmitter at Wenallt Hill which had previously been used for BBC Radio Gwent. 7 December – BBC Radio 1 announces changes to its dance music schedule from April 2012. Skream & Benga, Toddla T, Charlie Sloth and Friction will take over from Judge Jules, Gilles Peterson, Kissy Sell Out and Fabio & Grooverider. This will include a shuffle of most late night shows Monday to Saturday to incorporate the new line up. A new rota of DJs for 'In New DJs We Trust' will also be announced in early 2012Ben Cooper https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/071211radio1.html https://web.archive.org/web/20120107074140/http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/071211radio1.html dead 7 January 2012 Media Centre – Radio 1 announces changes to dance music line-up BBC BBC Press Office 7 December 2011 16 February 2012 12 December – Simon Bates takes his Smooth Radio Breakfast show to Afghanistan for a week of programmes with British troops from Camp Bastion.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2011/12/afghanistan-trip-for-smooths-simon-bates/ Afghanistan trip for Smooth's Simon Bates Radio Today 6 December 2011 16 June 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120216075041/http://radiotoday.co.uk/2011/12/afghanistan-trip-for-smooths-simon-bates/ 2012-02-16 dead Lucy Goodwin http://www.radiocentre.org/latest-industry-news/bates-takes-smooth-breakfast-to-the-british-forces-in-afghanistan Bates takes Smooth Breakfast to the British Forces in Afghanistan Radiocentre.org 6 December 2011 16 June 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140222215805/http://www.radiocentre.org/latest-industry-news/bates-takes-smooth-breakfast-to-the-british-forces-in-afghanistan 22 February 2014 Elisabeth Mahoney https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2011/dec/13/radio Radio review: Simon Bates at Breakfast The Guardian 13 December 2011 16 June 2012 23 December – GMG Radio confirms plans to launch a station dedicated to music from the 1970s on trial basis. Smooth 70s will replace Smooth Christmas on the Digital One platform from 27 December.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2011/12/gmg-radio-trialling-new-all-70s-station/ GMG Radio trialling new all-70s station Radio Today 23 December 2011 24 January 2012 Undated National stations BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and BBC Radio 6 Music move to MediaCityUK in Salford.https://radiotoday.co.uk/2011/11/bbc-6-music-teams-move-into-mediacityuk BBC 6 Music teams move into MediaCityUK Radio Today November 2011 Station debuts 1 January – Gem 106 31 March – Academy FM (Folkestone) 1 November – Smooth Christmas 22 November – Absolute Radio 60s 29 November – Absolute Radio 70s 27 December – Smooth 70s Programme debuts 4 January – Simon Bates at Breakfast on Smooth Radio (2011–2014) 21 February Brian Gulliver's Travels on BBC Radio 4 (2011–2012) The Third Degree on BBC Radio 4 (2011–Present) 5 April – Ambridge Extra on BBC Radio 4 Extra (2011–2013) 7 April – Sounds of the 20th Century on BBC Radio 2 (2011–2012) 11 October – The Life Scientific on BBC Radio 4 (2011–Present) 4 November – In and Out of the Kitchen on BBC Radio 4 (2011–2015) Continuing radio programmes 1940s Sunday Half 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) The David Jacobs Collection (1996–2013) Sunday Night at 10 (1998–2013) 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) Kermode and Mayo's Film Review (2001–2022) A Kist o Wurds (2002–Present) Fighting Talk (2003–Present) Jeremy Vine (2003–Present) The Chris Moyles Show (2004–2012) Annie Mac (2004–2021) Fearne Cotton (2009–2015) Elaine Paige on Sunday (2004–Present) The Bottom Line (2006–Present) The Christian O'Connell Breakfast Show (2006–Present) The Unbelievable Truth (2006–Present) The Radcliffe and Maconie Show/Radcliffe & Maconie (2007–Present) Geoff Lloyd's Hometime Show (2008–2017) The Strand (2008–2013) 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 Weekend Wogan (2010–2015) The Chris Evans Breakfast Show (2010–2018) Graham Norton (2010–2020) Simon Mayo Drivetime (2010–2018) Ending this year 27 March – The Jo Whiley Show (2001–2011) 1 April – The Big Toe Radio Show (2002–2011) 11 September – Americana (2009–2011) Closing this year Date Station Debut17 FebruaryPerth FM (Perth)27 MarchBBC 648198731 AugustTraffic Radio27 DecemberSmooth Christmas2011 Deaths 10 February – Trevor Bailey, 87, cricket commentator, previously cricketer 11 February – Sam Plank, 62, broadcaster https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-12428088 Staffordshire radio host Sam Plank dies BBC BBC News 11 February 2011 21 February 2011 15 March – Keith Fordyce, 82, radio and television presenterhttps://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/keith-fordyce-unflappable-host-of-lsquoready-steady-gorsquo-2255628.html# https://web.archive.org/web/20110401040305/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/keith-fordyce-unflappable-host-of-lsquoready-steady-gorsquo-2255628.html 2011-04-01 subscription live Keith Fordyce: Unflappable host of 'Ready Steady Go!' Independent Print Limited The Independent 29 March 2011 4 March 2012 London Spencer Leigh 23 April – James Casey, 88, variety artist and radio comedy scriptwriter and producer May – Norman Thomas, 63, broadcasterhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-13438842 BBC News Former Radio Merseyside presenter Norman Thomas dies BBC 18 May 2011 12 February 2012 12 August – Robert Robinson, 83, presenter 29 October – Jimmy Savile, 84, disc jockey, television presenter, media personality, charity fundraiser and serial sex offender https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15507374 DJ and TV presenter Jimmy Savile dies, aged 84 BBC BBC News 29 October 2011 29 October 2011 References 30em Radio British Radio, 2011 In Category:Years in British radio