The story so far. Radio and its cultural places in British life…

I’ve written over the years here about how important radio has been in Britain during the past century. Radio Culture is the central theme of this website resource. Here’s some reflections based on my research. In this piece there’s memories of Wogan, the pirates, the joys of AM and FM, and modern tech stuff too, … Continue reading The story so far. Radio and its cultural places in British life… →

When you miss the local voices from home. Why we used to listen to radio… and why we still do…

Poets, pop singers and radio listeners tuning in to home across the airwaves. But first, the joys of reading a newspaper... I’m of the generation that still enjoys a good print version. It’s the feeling of it between the fingers, the rustle of the pages, the ease of turning it back and creasing the page … Continue reading When you miss the local voices from home. Why we used to listen to radio… and why we still do… →

Making a noise… on the radio…

In this month’s article I’ll be mostly thinking about the noise that transmitters make (“hum”), the sound of journalists harrumphing (“tut tut”), and the agitation of local radio football commentators (“rising like a salmon to save the ball…”**). Do read this book if football culture interests you. Early radio was, of course, analogue. Although at … Continue reading Making a noise… on the radio… →

Got the FM radio on…**

This piece celebrates analogue radio on the FM band. In light of recent events it seems fitting to put down some memories and promises of VHF frequency-modulated broadcasting. A colleague in Chile, a radio historian and researcher, asked me for any books I knew that charted the story of FM broadcasting in Britain. His request … Continue reading Got the FM radio on…** →

Radio listeners, TV trailers, voice-overs and book reviews…

In which I offer some useful readings about the art and practice of journalism and why it matters. I’ll ask about whether small-scale radio stations can get an idea of how many people are listening without having to shell out a shed-load of cash to an audience research company. I’ll consider whether voice-over artists have … Continue reading Radio listeners, TV trailers, voice-overs and book reviews… →

Radio: What’s Another Year?

In which I reflect on the events of 2023, consider some of the challenges ahead in the UK radio industry, and listen to a song and watch a TV sitcom about the wireless. To start with, here’s an excellent summary of 2023, the Beeb’s latest annus horribilis. https://bylinetimes.com/2023/12/13/ministers-accused-of-waging-culture-war-on-bbc-amid-licence-review-and-more-cuts/ Meanwhile, a view from Rhodri Talfan Davies, … Continue reading Radio: What’s Another Year? →

Radio on the telly (and the movies too…)

Last month I wrote about some of my favourite radio moments on TV and in the movies. I'd now like to share some more. Also, I'll provide an update on the changes to the BBC's Local Radio services in the autumn/winter of 2023, I’ll have some memories of working in England's smallest county, and I’ll … Continue reading Radio on the telly (and the movies too…) →

When they put radio on the TV and movie screens…

I am a journalist and radio presenter by trade, an academic historian by training, and a writer by vocation. All together they just about pay the rent and put food on the table. They also feed my passion for broadcasting. But I’ve spent the summer and autumn of 2023 sharing the sadness of the BBC’s … Continue reading When they put radio on the TV and movie screens… →

The art of radio self-satire | Part 5…

Over the past few months, in part to recognise the centenary of the BBC, I’ve been reflecting on a history of comedy at the Beeb – and in particular on shows during the past one hundred years that have poked fun at the Corporation itself. But whilst you may consider it to be a perverse … Continue reading The art of radio self-satire | Part 5… →

100 memories: radio in the rear view mirror

So, 2022 was the centenary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (née Company). Have the celebrations marking events in 1922 passed by unduly quietly? In this article I'll mention a couple of contrasting views about radio broadcasting's first one hundred years. I've spent the last four decades in the industry, and like many of my generation … Continue reading 100 memories: radio in the rear view mirror →