2018 in British radio explained

This is a list of events taking place in 2018 relating to radio in the United Kingdom.

Events

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Station debuts

Programme debuts

Continuing radio programmes

1940s

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

Ending this year

Closing this year

Date Station Debut(s)
15 AugustNECR1994

Deaths

Notes and References

  1. News: Greening quits cabinet in PM's reshuffle. 9 January 2018. BBC. 9 January 2018. BBC News. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180108204709/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-42597785. 8 January 2018.
  2. News: New Culture Secretary's favourite song is Ed Sheeran's Galway Girl. 9 January 2018. The i newspaper. 9 January 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180109162210/https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/matt-hancock-new-culture-secretarys-favourite-song-ed-sheerans-galway-girl/. 9 January 2018.
  3. News: Radio 4 host off air after backing Gracie. 9 January 2018. BBC. 9 January 2018. BBC News. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180109175915/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-42623068. 9 January 2018.
  4. News: Jo Whiley moves to Radio 2 drivetime. Mark. Savage. 10 January 2018. BBC. 10 January 2018. BBC News. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180110113252/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-42633173. 10 January 2018.
  5. News: BBC 'deeply unimpressed' over pay jokes. 12 January 2018. BBC. 12 January 2018. BBC News. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180112000755/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42657438. 12 January 2018.
  6. Web site: BBC confirms local radio medium wave closures – RadioToday. radiotoday.co.uk. 9 January 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180103072409/https://radiotoday.co.uk/2018/01/bbc-confirms-local-radio-medium-wave-closures/. 3 January 2018.
  7. News: Maya Jama and celebrity guests join Radio 1 weekend line-up. BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat. 17 January 2018. BBC. 17 January 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180117230658/http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/42703116/maya-jama-and-celebrity-guests-join-radio-1-weekend-line-up. 17 January 2018.
  8. News: Aled Jones to return to the BBC . BBC News . BBC . 23 January 2018 . 23 January 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180123155244/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-42793716 . 23 January 2018 .
  9. News: Six male BBC presenters agree to pay cuts . BBC News . BBC . 26 January 2018 . 26 January 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180126024604/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42827333 . 26 January 2018 .
  10. News: The countdown begins – BBC Radio Cymru 2 takes to the airwaves in January 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171222044702/http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2017/bbc-radio-cymru-2-2018 . 22 December 2017 . BBC . 27 November 2017.
  11. News: Ian Skelly to join Susan Klein on Essential Classics . BBC . 3 August 2018.
  12. https://www.radioinfo.com.au/news/arn-secures-uk-radio-star-christian-oconnell-gold-1043 ARN secures UK radio star Christian O'Connell for Gold 104.3
  13. News: A new look for Sunday mornings on Radio 2. BBC. BBC Press Office. 20 December 2017. 12 January 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180322184630/http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2017/r2-good-morning-sunday. 22 March 2018.
  14. News: Comedian Jack Whitehall 'regrets lewd Queen joke' . BBC News . BBC . 4 February 2018 . 4 February 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180204050535/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-42935329 . 4 February 2018 .
  15. News: Noel Edmonds takes on Lloyds Bank with new radio station . BBC News . BBC . 6 February 2018 . 6 February 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180206182552/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-42963128 . 6 February 2018 .
  16. News: Silverstein . Adam . Nick Grimshaw's Radio 1 Breakfast Show surges to best ratings in two years . Digital Spy . 7 February 2018 . 9 February 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180210100818/http://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/news/a849461/nick-grimshaw-radio-1-breakfast-show-ratings/ . 10 February 2018 .
  17. News: Roisin . O'Connor . Nick Grimshaw bounces back with 800,000 extra listeners on Radio 1 show . Independent Print Limited . The Independent . 8 February 2018 . 9 February 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180210120947/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/bbc-radio-1-nick-grimshaw-breakfast-show-listening-figures-increase-chris-evans-today-programme-a8200096.html . 10 February 2018 .
  18. News: Glastonbury Festival plans plastic bottle ban . BBC News . BBC . 16 February 2018 . 18 February 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180218054303/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-43088751 . 18 February 2018 .
  19. Web site: Ex-Emmerdale star joins Minster FM Breakfast – RadioToday. radiotoday.co.uk. 19 July 2018.
  20. News: Global launches its own entertainment awards. Radio Today. 20 December 2017. 20 January 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180121071719/https://radiotoday.co.uk/2017/12/global-launches-its-own-entertainment-awards/. 21 January 2018.
  21. News: Global Awards categories revealed. Music Week. 20 December 2017. 20 January 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180121075013/http://www.musicweek.com/media/read/global-awards-categories-revealed/070947. 21 January 2018.
  22. https://radiotoday.co.uk/2018/01/plans-announced-for-the-bay-and-lakeland-radio/ Plans announced for The Bay and Lakeland Radio – RadioToday
  23. News: Global purchases The Bay and Lakeland Radio. 20 November 2017. Radio Today. 21 November 2017. BBC News. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171120135420/https://radiotoday.co.uk/2017/11/global-purchasesthe-bay-and-lakeland-radio/. 20 November 2017.
  24. News: Nick Drake enters folk hall of fame . BBC News . BBC . 7 March 2018 . 7 March 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180307142122/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-43315596 . 7 March 2018 .
  25. Web site: Small Scale DAB trial to be extended to 2020 – RadioToday. radiotoday.co.uk. 28 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180403051656/https://radiotoday.co.uk/2018/03/small-scale-dab-trial-to-be-extended-to-2020/. 3 April 2018.
  26. News: Lynn Bowles: 'I'm leaving Radio 2' says travel presenter . BBC News . BBC . 16 March 2018 . 16 March 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180316120611/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-43428561 . 16 March 2018 .
  27. News: Lynn Bowles leaves BBC Radio 2 – with a Land Rover . BBC News . BBC . 29 March 2018 . 30 March 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180330000850/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-43589271 . 30 March 2018 .
  28. Web site: Andrew Castle leaves Smooth weekend show – RadioToday. radiotoday.co.uk. 10 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180511083258/https://radiotoday.co.uk/2018/03/andrew-castle-leaves-smooth-radio-schedule/. 11 May 2018.
  29. News: BBC wants to keep FM radio for longer . BBC News . BBC . 19 March 2018 . 23 March 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180321005717/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-43458695 . 21 March 2018 .
  30. News: China Moses joins daily presenting lineup on Jazz FM. Jazz FM. 21 March 2018. 22 March 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180322184628/https://www.jazzfm.com/news/music-news/china-moses-joins-daily-presenting-lineup-on-jazz-fm/. 22 March 2018.
  31. News: Jazz songwriter China Moses joins Jazz FM . Radio Today . 23 March 2018 . 30 March 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331173349/https://radiotoday.co.uk/2018/03/jazz-songwriter-china-moses-joins-jazz-fm/ . 31 March 2018 .
  32. Web site: BBC – BBC Radio 3 announce new After Dark zone, refreshed weekend programmes and new presenter line-up – Media Centre. www.bbc.co.uk. 19 July 2018.
  33. News: Radio 1 told to play more new music . BBC News . BBC . 27 March 2018 . 27 March 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180327175141/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-43555787 . 27 March 2018 .
  34. https://radiotoday.co.uk/2018/03/northsound-2-to-switch-off-am-radio-service/ Northsound 2 to switch off AM radio service
  35. News: Jacob Rees-Mogg to host phone-in show on LBC – . BBC News . BBC . 3 April 2018 . 3 April 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180404061456/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-43631303 . 4 April 2018 .
  36. Web site: Lousie Redknapp lined up for two Heart shows . Radio Times . 6 April 2018 . 7 April 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180408073606/https://radiotoday.co.uk/2018/04/louise-redknapp-lined-up-for-two-heart-shows/ . 8 April 2018 .
  37. News: Mark . Sweney . BBC under fire over Enoch Powell 'rivers of blood' broadcast . Guardian Media Group . The Guardian . 12 April 2018 . 13 April 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180413075326/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2018/apr/12/bbc-to-air-reading-of-enoch-powells-rivers-of-blood-speech . 13 April 2018 .
  38. News: 'Toxic' Radar Radio suspends broadcasting after allegations . BBC News . BBC . 17 April 2018 . 21 April 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180421135104/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-43796946 . 21 April 2018 .
  39. http://www.bauermedia.co.uk/newsroom/press/bauer-to-launch-new-national-radio-station Bauer to launch new national radio station
  40. https://www.prolificnorth.co.uk/news/broadcasting/2018/04/key-103-become-hits-radio-part-major-rebrand Key 103 to become Hits Radio as part of major rebrand
  41. https://radiotoday.co.uk/2018/04/key-103-to-rebrand-as-hits-radio-and-go-national/ Key 103 to rebrand as Hits Radio and go national
  42. News: Gemma Atkinson and Comedy Dave get breakfast radio show . BBC News . BBC . 18 April 2018 . 21 April 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180420095940/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-43808391 . 20 April 2018 .
  43. News: Royal wedding: Dermot O'Leary and Scarlett Moffatt among BBC team . BBC News . BBC . 4 May 2018 . 4 May 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180504183534/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-44002420 . 4 May 2018 .
  44. Web site: Ed Sheeran song voted best ever by people who are wrong. 7 May 2018. 28 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180511151141/http://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/news/a856506/ed-sheeran-perfect-voted-greatest-song-of-all-time-smooth-radio-listeners/. 11 May 2018.
  45. Web site: BBC Radio 2 schedule 8 May 2018. BBC Radio 2. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180528222050/https://www.bbc.co.uk/schedules/p00fzl8v/2018/05/08. 28 May 2018.
  46. Web site: SDL to extend coverage of national DAB mux – RadioToday. radiotoday.co.uk. 28 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180516162101/https://radiotoday.co.uk/2018/05/sdl-to-extend-coverage-of-national-dab-mux/. 16 May 2018.
  47. Web site: UK Digital Radio listening overtakes analogue. 28 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180528222049/https://www.a516digital.com/2018/05/uk-digital-radio-listening-overtakes.html. 28 May 2018.
  48. Web site: The Smooth Late Show launches tonight!. 28 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180528152314/http://www.smoothradio.com/news/music/the-smooth-late-show/. 28 May 2018.
  49. Web site: BBC – Nick Grimshaw and Greg James to swap Radio 1 shows – Media Centre. www.bbc.co.uk. 19 July 2018.
  50. Web site: Hits Radio Manchester replaces Key 103 – RadioToday. radiotoday.co.uk. 19 July 2018.
  51. Web site: Key 2 on AM and DAB rebrands as Key Radio – RadioToday. radiotoday.co.uk. 19 July 2018.
  52. Web site: Ofcom awards the Ipswich commercial radio licence to Ipswich FM. Ofcom. 19 July 2018.
  53. News: Weekend starts early on Radio 1 . BBC Media Centre . BBC . 10 April 2018 . 17 June 2018.
  54. Web site: Scott Mills to replace Greg James as Official Chart host . 10 April 2018 . The Official UK Charts Company . 1 June 2018.
  55. News: Kylie to headline Radio 2 in Hyde Park . BBC News . BBC . 15 June 2017 . 17 June 2018.
  56. News: Radio 4's PM presenter Eddie Mair to leave BBC . BBC News . BBC . 1 July 2018 . 1 July 2018.
  57. News: Radio 4's PM presenter Eddie Mair to get new LBC show . BBC News . BBC . 2 July 2018 . 11 July 2018.
  58. Web site: Ellie Taylor and Anna Whitehouse host Sunday night's on Heart. 5 July 2018. 5 July 2018.
  59. News: Dame Barbara Windsor back on the BBC after Alzheimer's diagnosis . BBC News . BBC . 7 July 2018 . 11 July 2018.
  60. News: Actress Roxanne Pallett in stock car crash . BBC News . BBC . 19 July 2018 . 19 July 2018.
  61. News: Roxanne Pallett 'lucky to be here' after stock car crash . BBC News . BBC . 23 July 2018 . 23 July 2018.
  62. News: John Motson to come out of retirement to join Talksport . BBC Sport . BBC . 24 July 2018 . 24 July 2018.
  63. News: Logan Paul: Radio 1 won't play interview with YouTuber . BBC News . BBC . 26 July 2018 . 3 August 2018.
  64. News: Global expands in Lancashire after buying 2BR . Radio Today . 31 July 2018 . 3 August 2018.
  65. https://radiotoday.co.uk/2018/08/capital-brighton-to-launch-on-3rd-september/ "Capital Brighton to launch on 3rd September"
  66. News: James Whale suspended from Talk Radio over rape victim interview . BBC News . BBC . 3 August 2018 . 3 August 2018.
  67. Web site: BBC Radio 1 – Schedules, Saturday 4 August 2018. BBC. 6 August 2018.
  68. News: Eddie Mair leaves the BBC with 'no fuss or faff' . BBC News . BBC . 9 August 2018 . 9 August 2018.
  69. Web site: BBC Radio 1 – Schedules, Thursday 9 August 2018. BBC. 6 August 2018.
  70. News: Lauren Laverne to present 6 Music breakfast show . BBC News . BBC . 9 August 2018 . 9 August 2018.
  71. News: Roy . Martin . Bauer Media Group agrees to acquire Jazz FM . Radio Today . 16 August 2018 . 16 August 2018.
  72. Web site: Nick Grimshaw and Greg James to swap Radio 1 shows . BBC Media Centre. BBC. 31 May 2018. 14 July 2018.
  73. News: Greg James's Radio 1 Breakfast: What we learned from the first show . BBC News . BBC . 20 August 2018 . 20 August 2018.
  74. News: Chris Evans to leave Radio 2 breakfast show for Virgin . BBC News . BBC . 3 September 2018 . 3 September 2018.
  75. News: Eddie Mair goes head-to-head with PM programme on new show . BBC News . BBC . 28 August 2018 . 28 August 2018.
  76. News: Kylie and Jason dance again live in Hyde Park . BBC News . BBC . 9 September 2018 . 14 September 2018.
  77. News: Chris Evans' pay revelation a factor in his exit, says BBC director general . BBC News . BBC . 11 September 2018 . 14 September 2018.
  78. News: Evan Davis to replace Eddie Mair on BBC Radio 4's PM . BBC News . BBC . 20 September 2018 . 20 September 2018.
  79. News: Kylie Minogue becomes railway announcer for BBC Music Day . BBC News . BBC . 26 September 2018 . 26 September 2018.
  80. News: Charlie Sloth to leave BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra after nearly 10 years . BBC News . BBC . 3 October 2018 . 5 October 2018.
  81. News: Zoe Ball to present Radio 2 Breakfast Show. 3 October 2018. BBC. 3 October 2018. BBC News.
  82. News: Global pulls plug on TV stations. a516digital. 11 October 2018. 16 December 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191216102154/https://www.a516digital.com/2018/10/global-pulls-plug-on-tv-stations.html. dead.
  83. News: Charlie Sloth: Radio 1 and 1Xtra DJ leaving station immediately . BBC News . BBC . 20 October 2018 . 20 October 2018.
  84. News: Simon Mayo and Jo Whiley Radio 2 Drivetime show to end . BBC News . BBC . 22 October 2018 . 22 October 2018.
  85. Web site: JACK Radio will be first station with a 100% female playlist, from Adele to Aretha Franklin. 23 October 2018. News.co.uk. 24 October 2018.
  86. News: Chris Evans and BBC Radio 2 drop to six-year low in Rajar audience ratings . BBC News . BBC . 25 October 2018 . 26 October 2018.
  87. News: Matt Edmondson and Mollie King to host BBC Radio 1 weekend breakfast . BBC News . BBC . 26 October 2018 . 28 October 2018.
  88. News: Sara Cox to present Radio 2 Drivetime show . BBC News . BBC . 29 October 2018 . 29 October 2018.
  89. News: Jo Whiley: Radio 2 backlash made it hard to walk out of my front door . BBC News . BBC . 29 October 2018 . 29 October 2018.
  90. News: New BBC Sounds app aims to woo younger listeners . BBC News . BBC . 29 October 2018 . 29 October 2018.
  91. News: BBC Radio 2 Young Choristers of the Year 2018 winners revealed . BBC News . BBC . 30 October 2018 . 31 October 2018.
  92. Web site: Rylan slots into final part of Radio 2 schedule shuffle puzzle . 8 November 2018 . 8 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181108224536/https://www.a516digital.com/2018/11/rylan-slots-into-final-part-of-radio-2.html . dead .
  93. Web site: Emma Barnett to host Theresa May phone-in. 23 November 2018. 8 September 2020.
  94. News: Steven . McIntosh . Rickie, Melvin and Charlie leave Kiss to replace Charlie Sloth on BBC Radio 1 . BBC News . BBC . 26 November 2018 . 11 December 2018.
  95. News: Emma . Powell . Emma Bunton bids Heart Breakfast goodbye: 'I promise to call in with Spice Girls news' . London Evening Standard . 10 December 2018 . 10 December 2018.
  96. News: Kiss announces Tom Green and Daisy Maskell as new breakfast show hosts . BBC News . BBC . 11 December 2018 . 11 December 2018.
  97. News: Moira Stuart to join Classic FM . BBC News . BBC . 17 December 2018 . 22 December 2018.
  98. News: Iain Lee intervenes to help Plymouth overdose man . BBC News . BBC . 20 December 2018 . 28 December 2018.
  99. News: Iain Lee says 'dying' Plymouth man who called him is 'back home' . BBC News . BBC . 26 December 2018 . 28 December 2018.
  100. News: George Osborne: Conservatives must adapt to stay in power . BBC News . BBC . 22 December 2018 . 22 December 2018.
  101. News: Chris Evans: Radio 2 breakfast DJ bids emotional farewell . BBC News . BBC . 24 December 2018 . 28 December 2018.
  102. News: Angelina Jolie joins BBC Radio for Christmas . BBC News . BBC . 22 November 2018 . 22 November 2018.
  103. Web site: Ipswich 102 starts on DAB ahead of FM launch . Radio Today. 1 August 2018. 20 October 2018.
  104. News: BBC presenter Ed Doolan dies aged 76. 16 January 2018. BBC. 16 January 2018. BBC News. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180116162315/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-42701795. 16 January 2018.
  105. Web site: Midlands radio presenter Jeff Harris dies – RadioToday. radiotoday.co.uk. 28 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180511081134/https://radiotoday.co.uk/2018/02/midlands-radio-presenter-jeff-harris-dies/. 11 May 2018.
  106. Web site: Radio Shropshire DJ Vicki Archer dies aged 41. Sue. Austin. www.shropshirestar.com. 7 August 2018.
  107. News: BBC Radio Shropshire's Vicki Archer inquest opened . BBC News . BBC . 14 August 2018 . 14 August 2018.
  108. News: BBC presenter Rachael Bland dies aged 40 . BBC News . BBC . 5 September 2018 . 5 September 2018.
  109. News: TV host Denis Norden dies aged 96. BBC News. BBC. 18 September 2018. 19 September 2018.
  110. Web site: Groundbreaking sitcom writer Ray Galton dies. Sky News. 6 October 2018. 6 October 2018.
  111. Web site: Tributes paid to Jazz FM presenter Peter Young – RadioToday. radiotoday.co.uk. 22 November 2018.
  112. News: Former BBC newsreader Richard Baker dies aged 93. BBC News. 17 November 2018.
  113. News: Monica Sims, the first woman Controller of Radio 4, who championed ‘good stories and programmes with charm’ – obituary. The Daily Telegraph. London. 29 November 2018.