Radio speak (Part 2) Bots and AI on air… what could possibly go wrong?

I’m considering how radio-speak – the inane gabble of a mindless jock – is a constant danger for us presenters and DJs. In a previous article I wrote about the foot-in-mouth escapades of DJs who forgot to engage brain before opening the microphone fader. Yes, dear reader, it’s happened to me on many occasions. I … Continue reading Radio speak (Part 2) Bots and AI on air… what could possibly go wrong? →

Radio becomes visual – why “bi-media” is an eternal dream in the industry

A bit later on I’ve got a treat from the 1930s - a non-CGI, analogue recreation of a wireless set. That’s strangely important in this context. But first, I’ve written about how the word “visualisation” is being used in recent times in connection with the radio. Read more here… https://prefadelisten.com/2025/06/14/is-radio-just-all-about-the-sound/ Indeed, putting the visual into … Continue reading Radio becomes visual – why “bi-media” is an eternal dream in the industry →

The power of international radio. You won’t miss it ’til it’s gone.

Or to use the accurate quote by Joni Mitchell from 1970, “Don't it always seem to go / That you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone”. Well, now something’s gone. And it hurts. The late winter and early spring of 2025 have seen some seismic changes to international radio from the USA. My … Continue reading The power of international radio. You won’t miss it ’til it’s gone. →

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… →

Listening in – how Jesus gets on the radio. More about the work of the Christian missionary organisation Reach Beyond

For the last three months of 2024, from October to December, we’ve been broadcasting a 13-part radio series on TWR-UK called Voice and Hands with Reach Beyond. In the most recent episodes, we’ve heard about Christian radio around the world – crossing the continents. We’ve travelled to Africa, to Southern Europe, North Africa and the … Continue reading Listening in – how Jesus gets on the radio. More about the work of the Christian missionary organisation Reach Beyond →

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… →

The one about the paperback writer…

The paperback edition of my book about the history of radio is available from 27 July 2023. So, as I write this the BBC (originally a Company, later a Corporation) is 101 years old. Born on-air on a foggy November evening in 1922 in the Strand not far from the River (*See footnotes*) Thames, it … Continue reading The one about the paperback writer… →

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… →

The BBC century: what’s this thing called Radio?…

This article consists of some personal collections and recollections about radio broadcasting and journalism history. There is here a degree of nostalgia, some sarcasm, and a visual representation of the decay of new technological ideas. There is also sadness at recent announcements in the Autumn of 2022 about severe cutbacks to programming on the 39 … Continue reading The BBC century: what’s this thing called Radio?… →

Step up to the microphone: 100 years of British Radio…

In the previous two episodes of this mini-series of articles I have considered how technology has determined the progress of radio for the past century. Read here – because I am aware that technological determinism is regarded by some (not me) as academic heresy. https://prefadelisten.com/2022/07/14/the-bbc-at-100-how-radio-has-determined-technology-perhaps/ And in the second part you will find my thoughts … Continue reading Step up to the microphone: 100 years of British Radio… →