Radio Prague listeners send well-wishes on Radio Prague’s 75th birthday

Of course, Radio Prague would not have turned 75 if it wasn’t for our loyal listeners. We would like to thank you for your support and interest over the years, and for the many anniversary emails you have sent in. On the occasion of our 75th anniversary, we did something we usually don’t do – we called some of our listeners from around the world. Here’s one of them, Stan Schmidt. He listens to Radio Prague from Evansville, Indiana, in the United States. More

(Source : Radio Prague)

Radio Prague to suffer no budget cuts in 2012

Jan Bondy, photo: Kristýna Maková

Seventy five years ago today, at 10 AM on August 31, 1936, the foreign service of Czechoslovak Radio went on air for the first time ever. Today, Radio Prague is an independent broadcaster although it is still funded entirely by the Czech Foreign Ministry. Following severe budget cuts in recent years, some good news came on Wednesday from the Foreign Ministry which promises no further cuts for 2012. Radio Prague spoke to the head of the ministry’s public diplomacy department, Jan Bondy. More

(Source : Radio Prague)

Adapting to change: 75 years of Radio Prague broadcasts

Miroslav Krupička et Sarah Borufka

In the 75 years of its existence, Radio Prague has seen many changes – among them, unfortunately, the end of our shortwave broadcasts. On Wednesday, the station presented some of its programs live from a tent in the heart of the city, in an effort to propagate the international service locally. Sarah Borufka was at the site and spoke to Miroslav Krupička, who has served as Radio Prague’s director since 1998. She asked him about the important changes he had witnessed over the years. More

(Source : Radio Prague)

Radio Prague marks 75 years on air

Set up in 1936 primarily as a tool to counter propaganda from Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, Radio Prague itself long served as a mouthpiece for communist propaganda. Since the 1990s however, the station is the only Czech public news service, providing information about the Czech Republic in six languages to audiences around the world. Marking Radio Prague’s 75th anniversary, the Czech-born, UK-based writer, and former Radio Prague reporter Benjamin Kuras and Radio Prague’s own David Vaughan discuss the most interesting moments in the station’s history. More

(Source : Radio Prague)

Absolute Radio bring Kravitz to Soho

National station Absolute Radio are putting on an intimate gig for listeners featuring Lenny Kravitz.

The rocker will play his first solo headline show in three years at The Box, in the heart of the red light district in London’s Soho.

The exclusive gig will be in front of just 200 competition winners and feature Kravitz classics like Are You Gonna Go My Way as well as material from his new album, Black and White America. The performance will be filmed for the stations’ website.

Absolute Radio Breakfast Show DJ Christian O’Connell announced the gig on his breakfast show this morning. He said: “Lenny Kravitz is an incredible artist and the fans that are lucky enough to win tickets are in for a real treat. He oozes cool and with such an intimate audience the gig promises to be very special indeed.” 

The latest ‘Absolute Radio presents’ show follows other unique performances in unusual places put on by the station. Others have included Elbow at St Paul’s Cathedral, Elton John in the Union Chapel and the first ever rock gig in the Houses of Parliament with Biffy Clyro.

(Source : Radio Today, UK)

FRS seek advertiser for major promotion

First Radio Sales has announced a new national sponsorship and promotions solution which it says will reach an audience of 3 million adults across 50 local radio stations.

The sales house – which represents stations from groups inlcuding UTV Radio, Celador, Tindle and Lincs – says the idea will allow national brands to use the power of local radio on a ‘collective and convenient scale’.

Called ‘The Pr1me Connection network’, FRS says the 2-week long promotion will feature a famous voice who’ll push listeners to the station websites to enter a branded microsite for the chance to win a major UK-wide prize. The celebrity voice will also provide entertaining content broadcast each morning on each of the 50 stations – making it engaging for listeners and brands alike.

It’ll run on stations from UTV Radio, Town and Country Broadcasting, Celador, KM Group, Tindle Radio, The Lincs Group and ARI.

Tony Mellor, Managing Director of First Radio Sales said: “In today’s world of networked and syndicated radio we wanted to bring national advertisers the opportunity to engage with stations that are proud of being local, and to deliver a fun and engaging national promotion that is creative, efficient and above all, simple.”

(Source : Radio Today, UK)

Trafficlink launch Travel Radio service

After the closure of the Highways Agency’s Traffic Radio yesterday, travel news provider Trafficlink have announced the start of a new online station called Travel Radio.

The service is providing updates on live traffic information on all roads around the UK, as well as problems on public transport.

The Traffic Radio service previously only reported on the Highways Agency’s network of trunk roads in England. Until its closure yesterday it was available on digital multiplexes across the country as well as online and via UK Radioplayer.

Travel Radio is only available as a web stream initially but the people behind it say they hope to make it available in mobile application in the future as well as exploring other options for delivering the audio. People can tune in via the Trafficlink website, and we’re told content will be updated regularly between 6am and 10pm on weekdays and 8am-8pm at weekends. 

Trafficlink’s Communications Manager Andrea Day told RadioToday.co.uk: “As the Highways Agency withdrew the funding for Traffic Radio as of the 31st of August, we felt that we were ideally placed to create a new and alternative service. Trafficlink has a pool of skilled professional travel news broadcasters and an exclusive set of data which is primarily targeted for radio use. It’s just a case of a private company picking up a service from the public sector. The service is only in its infancy at the moment; we have lots of ideas to develop it in the future.”

(Source : Radio Today, UK)

Stellar line-up announced for BBC Proms in the Park at Castle Park, Bangor

Popular soprano Lesley Garrett and Belfast-born pianist Barry Douglas appear alongside other well known names in classical and contemporary music at this year's BBC Proms in the Park event in the grounds of Castle Park, Bangor on Saturday 10 September, as part of the world-famous Last Night of the Proms celebrations. 

Also lined up to perform at this year's event are internationally acclaimed Australian guitarist Craig Ogden and multi-talented singer/songwriter Declan O'Rourke.

BBC Proms in the Park Northern Ireland is now in its 10th year. This year with support from North Down Borough Council, BBC Proms in the Park teams up once again with the Ulster Orchestra on a grand scale to present a night of popular classics.

The event is part of the BBC's prestigious Last Night of the Proms celebrations across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales who host ambitious live events to mark the end of the world's largest classical music festival.

The concert will be presented by Noel Thompson and Claire McCollum, joining the Ulster Orchestra under the baton of acclaimed conductor, David Brophy.

Lighting displays and a big screen are all part of a three-hour music extravaganza to be enjoyed by enthusiasts from all over Northern Ireland.

Complimentary tickets for the Bangor event which were issued through a random draw have all been allocated.

For those attending the event full details of terms and conditions will be included with tickets.

Alternatively audiences can listen to, or view, BBC Proms in the Park as it will be broadcast live on BBC Radio Ulster, from 7.30pm, introduced by John Toal.

A selection of options will be available via the red button for television viewers on Digital Satellite and Freeview.

BBC Proms in the Park from the grounds of Castle Park, Bangor will be recorded and shown on BBC Northern Ireland television later in the year.

Concert goers will be able to view sections of the Last Night of the Proms from the Royal Albert Hall throughout the night on a giant video screen in the grounds of the Castle Park.

Peter Johnston, Director BBC Northern Ireland, said: "Proms in the Park in Northern Ireland is one of the most prestigious and large-scale events we undertake each year. We are looking forward to bringing it for the first time to the grounds of Castle Park, Bangor. Music lovers can be assured of a very special evening of musical entertainment from a mix of talented local and international artists – all set against the stunning backdrop of Bangor Castle."

Mayor of North Down, Councillor James McKerrow, commented: "We are absolutely delighted to host the BBC Proms in the Park this year and I believe the beautiful grounds of Castle Park, with the backdrop of the Edwardian Bangor Castle building, will make a very special setting for this prestigious event. Concerts don't come much bigger than the Last Night of the Proms and we are pleased that Bangor will represent Northern Ireland at this acclaimed event."

A special return Proms train service with live music on board is being run by Translink from Belfast Central Station. Tickets must be pre booked at translink.co.uk. Buses to Donaghadee and Newtownards will leave Bangor Station at 11pm. 

(Source : BBC Press Release)

Songs Of Praise celebrates its 50th Anniversary

Songs Of Praise was first broadcast on BBC Television on Sunday 1 October, 1961. Fifty years on the programme, the longest running religious TV programme in the world, continues to showcase the very best in congregational hymn singing and inspirational music, featuring the very best choirs and soloists from across the UK and beyond.

In 1961 the first ever Songs Of Praise came from the Tabernacle Welsh Baptist Church in Cardiff. For the first anniversary programme, 50 Years Ago, Songs of Praise turns the clock back as Pam Rhodes returns to the chapel to join the congregation as they sing the hymns chosen for that first broadcast. A children's choir will recreate the ever-popular hymn All Things Bright And Beautiful, there's a performance from Welsh soprano Elin Manahan Thomas, former presenter Geoffrey Wheeler talks about his role and Sir Cliff Richard recalls life in the Sixties when Songs Of Praise was in its infancy.

For the second programme, Aled Jones introduces a special edition that features many of the magic moments from half a century of Songs Of Praise. 50 Amazing Years will be a fascinating look at the most inspiring music, the most surprising places, the most extraordinary people and the most incredible stories of personal faith – a unique snapshot that illustrates why Songs Of Praise is a television institution that means so much to so many.

And in the third programme, Celebrating 50 Years country music legend LeAnn Rimes and gospel diva Beverley Knight join superstar tenor Andrea Bocelli and voice of an angel Katherine Jenkins for the Songs Of Praise 50th Birthday Celebration, to be recorded at Alexandra Palace in London on Sunday 25 September. Almost 7000 voices will aim to raise the roof of the iconic building where television broadcasting first began, singing some of the most popular hymns featured over the years – including Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer, Angel-Voices Ever Singing and Jerusalem.

(Source : BBC Press Release)

Jazz FM leaves regional DAB multiplexes

Regional DAB transmissions from Jazz FM in the West Midlands, North West, London and Glasgow have now ended.

The station had been duplicating coverage in these areas since appearing on Digital One in March this year, and will now be replaced by GMG’s rock station Real XS.

A continuous loop has now appeared advising listeners to press Autotune on their DAB radio sets, and tune in to “Jazz FM National” from Monday (5 September).

GMG Radio, who own the space on the regional and local multiplexes that was being used by Jazz FM, say they will replace it in London, the North West and West Midlands with Real XS, the new sister brand of Real Radio which launches on Monday in place of 106.1 Rock Radio in Manchester. In Scotland, however, it’s understood Real XS will go on the Central Scotland (Switchdigital) multiplex, rather than the Glasgow (Bauer) multiplex where Jazz FM currently is.

Rock Radio Manchester is already broadcasting on the North East, Yorkshire and South Wales & Severn Estuary so these services will change to Real XS from next week too.

(Source : Radio Today, UK)