British radio industry awards (1983–2014)
Radio Academy Awards Sony Radio Award, presented to Virgin Radio in 1996
Awarded for Excellence in the radio industry Sponsored by Sony (until 2013) Country United Kingdom Presented by ZAFER Associates The Radio Academy Formerly called The Sony Radio Awards First awarded 1983; 41 years ago (1983 ) Last awarded 2014; 10 years ago (2014 ) Website www .radioacademy .org Related The ARIAS
The Radio Academy Awards , started in 1983, were the most prestigious awards in the British radio industry.[ 1] For most of their existence, they were run by ZAFER Associates, but in latter years were brought under the control of The Radio Academy .
The awards were generally referred to by the name of their first sponsor, Sony , as The Sony Awards , The Sony Radio Awards or variations. In August 2013, Sony announced the end of its sponsorship agreement with The Radio Academy after 32 years. Consequently, the awards were named simply The Radio Academy Awards .[ 2] In November 2014, it was announced that The Radio Academy would not be holding the awards in 2015, and would be looking for other ways to recognise achievement in the future.[ 3]
The awards were relaunched in 2016 as the Audio & Radio Industry Awards (ARIAS).[ 4] [ 5]
The awards were organised into various categories, with nominees being announced a few weeks before the main awards ceremony. The categories varied slightly each year, and were decided by an annual committee, with the aim to include all the main areas from music, news and speech through to radio drama , comedy and sport, and not discriminating against station size, or niche categories.[ 6]
In most categories, five entries were shortlisted with the top three awarded Bronze, Silver and Gold. Some categories (such as the Station of the Year categories) only three entries were shortlisted, with only a Gold winner awarded. In a number of special categories (such as The Gold Award or Special Award) there was no shortlist, merely a winner.
1983 Gold Award winners [ edit ]
^ A play by Catherine Hughes, telling the story of a young girl whose life is changed by the tragedies of the Gresford Colliery disaster in 1934 and, many years later, the Aberfan disaster in 1966. First broadcast on 29 March 1982. The play combines two of Hughes' poems about the disasters.
^ A play by Martyn Wade, celebrating the life of the composer Percy Grainger , portrayed by David Healy . First broadcast on 27 December 1982.
1984 Gold Award winners [ edit ]
1985 Gold Award winners [ edit ]
1986 Gold Award winners [ edit ]
1987 Gold Award winners [ edit ]
Category
Winner
Station/Organisation
Refs
Best actress
Billie Whitelaw for Vassa Zhelyeznova
BBC Radio 3
Best actor
Ronald Pickup for The Awful Insulation of Rage
BBC Radio 3
Outstanding contribution to radio over the years
The Archers
Outstanding service to the community by a local radio station
Build a Bungalow Appeal
Radio Aire
Radio personality of the year
Derek Jameson
Local radio personality of the year
Andy Radford
Severn Sound
Special award for services to radio
Brian Hayes
Local DJ of the year
David Jensen
Capital Radio
National DJ of the year
Mike Smith
BBC Radio 1
Radio reporter of the year
Graham Leach
BBC Radio
Radio sport broadcaster of the year
Derek Rae
BBC Radio Scotland
Technical excellence and achievement
Breakdown
Capital Radio
Most creative use of radio
Breakdown
Capital Radio
Best children's programming
The Speaking Clock
BBC Radio Merseyside
Best classical music programme
The Immortal Bohemiam
BBC Radio 4
Best community service programming
Community Service Volunteers Compilation
Suffolk Group Radio
Best current affairs programme
The Aids Plague in East Africa
BBC Radio 4
Best documentary/feature programme
Hopping Down in Kent
BBC Radio 4
Best drama production
Mischief
BBC Radio 4
Best dramatisation
Jude The Obscure
BBC Radio 4
Best local radio programme
Aberfan – An Unknown Spring
Swansea Sound
Best magazine programme
Loose Ends
BBC Radio 4
Best original script
The Awful Insulation of Rage
BBC Radio 3
Best outside broadcast
The Mammouth Mail Couch Drive
BBC Radio 1
Best pop music programme
The Network Chart Show
Capital Radio
Best popular music programme
World Popular Song Festival
BBC Radio 1
Best specialist music programme
Andy Kershaw
BBC Radio 1
Best use of comedy
Huddwinks
BBC Radio 2
1988 Gold Award winners [ edit ]
^ A comedy by Douglas Livingstone about the Romería de El Rocío , with James Bolam , Sara Kestelman , and Michael Kitchen . First broadcast on 16 May 1983,[ 14] produced by Jane Morgan
^
Radio feature written and presented by Ray Gosling , describing the work of Rev Kenneth Forrester who tends an ageing and declining Anglican community in Pau in south-west France. Described by Piers Plowright as "an absolute masterpiece".
1989 Gold Award winners [ edit ]
Category
Winner
Station/Organisation
Refs
Outstanding contribution to radio over the years
Tony Blackburn
Outstanding service to the community
You and Your Benefit Presented by John Howard
BBC Radio 4
Best actress
Kate Murphy for Elephant Dances
Radio Clyde
Best actor
Andrews Sachs for The Heart of a Dog
BBC World Service
Radio personality of the year
Sue Lawley
Local radio personality of the year
Susie Mathis
BBC GMR
Special award for services to radio
John Whitney
National DJ of the year
Bruno Brookes
BBC Radio 1
Local DJ of the year
David Jensen
Capital Radio
Radio reporter of the year
John Alcock
LBC
Local station of the year
BRMB (now called Free Radio Birmingham)
BRMB
Most creative use of radio
The Dream
BBC Radio 1
Society of Authors award for best dramatisation/adaptation
The Dippers
BBC Radio 4
Society of Authors award for best original script
Excess Baggage
BBC Radio 4
Best breakfast show
The Les Ross Breakfast Show
BRMB
Best children's programme/programming/series
Down Our Way
BBC Radio Bristol
Best classical music programme
Meridian: Bartok Quartets
BBC World Service
Best current affairs programme
Today
BBC Radio 4
Best daily news programme
210 Reports
Radio 210
Best documentary feature: general
Cheltenham, The Irish Favourite
BBC Radio 4
Best documentary feature: music/arts
Insect Musicians
BBC Radio 3
Best documentary feature: news and current affairs
I Want to be Normal Again
BBC Radio 4
Best drama production
Cigarettes and Chocolate
BBC Radio 4
Best education programme/programming/series
Community Matters: The Case Conference
BBC Radio 4
Best magazine programme
Third Ear
BBC Radio 3
Best outside broadcast
Give A Child A Chance – Live from Disney World
Radio Aire
Best response to a news event
The Lockerbie Air Disaster
Radio Forth
Best response to a news event
Today of 22.12.88
BBC Radio 4
Best rock/pop programme
The Beeb's Lost Beatles Tapes
BBC Radio 1
Best sequence programming
Morning Call
Moray Firth Radio
Best specialist music programme
Kershaw in Zimbabwe
BBC Radio 1
Best sports programme
Mid Week Sportsound
BBC Radio Ulster
Best technical achievement
BBC Radio Show
BBC Network and Local Radio
Best use of comedy
Whose Line Is it Anyway?
BBC Radio 4
1990 Gold Award winners [ edit ]
Category
Winner
Station/Organisation
Refs
Outstanding contribution to radio over the years
Roy Hudd
Outstanding service to the community
Face The Facts – the Series
BBC Radio 4
[ 25]
Outstanding service to the community
Varying Degrees
BBC Radio Ulster
[ 25]
Best actress
Marsha Mason for Visitor from Hollywood Plaza Suite
BBC Radio 4
[ 25]
Best actor
Timothy West for The Price
BBC Radio 4
[ 25]
Radio personality of the year
Chris Tarrant
Capital Radio
Local radio personality of the year
Gerry Anderson
BBC Radio Ulster
[ 25]
Smash Hits [ i] best national DJ
Bruno Brookes
BBC Radio 1
[ 25]
Smash Hits best local DJ
Ally Bally
Radio Tay
Radio reporter of the year
James Miles
BBC Radio 1 , Radio 2 and Radio 4
[ 25]
Local station of the year
BBC Radio Foyle
BBC Radio Foyle
[ 25]
Special award for services to radio
BBC Radio Drama Company
BBC
Radio Academy creative award
My Dog Has Fleas
BBC Radio 4
[ 25]
Best technical achievement
Swansong
BBC Radio 3
[ 25]
Society of Authors award: best original script
The Rime of the Bounty
BBC Radio 4
[ 25]
Society of Authors award: best dramatisation/adaptation
A Tale of Two Cities
BBC Radio 4
[ 25]
Best breakfast show
Breakfast Live
BBC Hereford & Worcester
[ 25]
Best children's programme
In The News
BBC Radio 4
[ 25]
Best classical music programme
Tasting Notes
BBC Radio 3
[ 25]
Best current affairs programme
The World Tonight
BBC Radio 4
[ 25]
Best daily news programme
Today
BBC Radio 4
[ 25]
Best documentary feature: general
Never The Same Again
BBC Radio 4
[ 25]
Best documentary feature: music and arts
Dear Miss Pym, Dear Mr Larkin
BBC Radio 4
[ 25]
Best documentary feature: news and current affairs
The Indissoluable Union – Cotton, Chemicals & Corruption – The Russians Special
BBC Radio 4
[ 25]
Best drama production
The Bass Saxophone
BBC Radio 3
[ 25]
Best education programme
The Health Show
BBC Radio 4
[ 25]
Best magazine programme
Country Matters
BBC Radio Gloucestershire
[ 25]
Best outside broadcast
The Radio 1 Around the World Challenge [ a]
BBC Radio 1
[ 25]
Best response to a news event
Hillsborough
Radio City
Today – The Romanian Revolution
BBC Radio 4
[ 25]
Best rock and pop programme
Not Fade Away – A Tribute to Buddy Holly
BBC Radio 1
[ 25]
Best sequence programming
Morning Call
Moray Firth Radio [ b]
Best specialist music programme
Electric Youth
BRMB /Essex Radio
Best sports programme
Capital Gold Sports Show
Capital Gold
Best use of comedy
Dick Tarrant
Capital Radio
^ DJ Simon Bates travelled the world with producer Jonathan Ruffe, and transmitted 57 live broadcasts over 77 days, using a portable satellite dish and generator.
^ Moray Firth Radio was the UK's smallest commercial radio station at the time.
1991 Gold Award winners [ edit ]
1992 Gold Award winners [ edit ]
1993 Gold Award winners [ edit ]
^ The award was for Glenny's coverage of the collapse of communism and the following wars in the former country of Yugoslavia.
^ Sue Townsend 's novel The Queen and I was abridged by Elizabeth Proud and read by Margolyes on Book at Bedtime .
^ A play by Trevor Hoyle about Lancashire comedian Frank Randle .
^ MCM linked 41 independent local radio stations with several venues for the event.
^ Six part series celebrating songwriters who write for others.
1994 Gold Award winners [ edit ]
^ The award was for the two stations' coverage of life in Northern Ireland over the past 18 years.
^ The station broadcast a special edition of the show in the wake of the Shankill Road bombing and Greysteel massacre .
1995 Gold Award winners [ edit ]
1996 Gold Award winners [ edit ]
1997 Gold Award winners [ edit ]
1998 Gold Award winners [ edit ]
1999 Gold Award winners [ edit ]
The 17th Sony Radio Academy Awards ceremony was held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on 28 April 1999 and was hosted by Kirsty Young and Paul Gambaccini .
^ The Gold Award was presented by Marianne Faithfull .
^ This was the fourth year in a row that Moray Firth had won the local station award.
^ The Rt Rev James Jones was enthroned on 7 November 1998.
^ A two part exploration of funk, presented by Ice-T .
^ An experimental radiophonic feature exploring the impact of redundancy.
^ As well as the three gold awards for Home Truths Peel also received a silver award in the talk/news broadcaster category.
^ In 1998 Middlesbrough played Chelsea in the Football League Cup Final and Newcastle United played Arsenal in the FA Cup Final .
^ A day after winning the award Mann's slots on Classic FM (weekday nights and Sundays) were reduced to one Wednesday night slot of one hour.
2000 Gold Award winners [ edit ]
The 18th Sony Radio Academy Awards ceremony was held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on 2 May 2000. BBC Radio 4 was the most nominated station, with 24 entries, and received four awards. Guests included the actors Jenny Agutter and Christopher Lee , Chris Smith (Secretary of State for Culture ), and Dale Winton , who all presented awards.
Category
Winner
Station/Organisation
Refs
Gold award
Ralph Bernard
Classic FM /GWR
Lifetime achievement award
Alan "Fluff" Freeman [ a]
Music broadcaster award
Pete Tong
Wise Buddah for BBC Radio 1
News and talk broadcaster award
Roger Phillips
BBC Radio Merseyside
Station of the year (UK)
Classic FM
Classic FM
Station of the year (500,000 – 12 million)
Kiss 100
Kiss 100
Station of the year (up to 500,000)
BBC Radio Foyle
BBC Radio Foyle
Breakfast music award
Bam Bam Breakfast
Kiss 100
Breakfast news and talk award
The Morning Programme
BBC Radio Foyle
Comedy award
Blue Jam
Talkback Productions for BBC Radio 1
Competition award
Jono's Australian Experience
Heart 106.2
Drama award
Plum's War ,[ b] written by Michael Butt
The Fiction Factory for BBC Radio 4
Entertainment award
Jon & Andy
103.2 Power FM
Event award
coverage of The Open golf tournament
BBC Sport for BBC Radio 5 Live
Feature award
Out of the Darkness: The Triumph of Nelson Mandela [ c]
Radio 4 Home Current Affairs for BBC Radio 4
Interactive award
On The Ball
BBC Scotland
Music presentation award: UK
Jonathan Ross Show
BBC Music Entertainment andOff The Kerb Productions for BBC Radio 2
Music presentation award: regional[ d]
Bam Bam Breakfast
Kiss 100
'Music Special' award
For Your Ears Only , presented by Honor Blackman
BBC Music Entertainment for BBC Radio 2
News award
Late Night Live : Soho Bomb ,[ e] presented by Brian Hayes
BBC News and Current Affairs for BBC Radio 5 Live
Public service award
Sunday Surgery , presented by Sara Cox and Dr. Mark Hamilton
BBC Music Entertainment for BBC Radio 1
Out of the Red , presented by Sara Cox
Chemical Beats , presented by Danny Dyer
Short form award
Woman's Hour inserts
BBC Features & Events for BBC Radio 4
Specialist music award
Worldwide with Gilles Peterson
Somethin' Else for BBC Radio 1
Speech award
The Evacuation: The True Story ,[ f] presented by Charles Wheeler
Martin Weitz Assoc. for BBC Radio 4
Sports award
Super Sunday , presented by Gideon Coe and Pete Stevens
BBC GLR
Station sound award
Classic FM
Classic FM
2001 Gold Award winners [ edit ]
The 19th Sony Radio Academy Awards ceremony, hosted by Paul Gambaccini , was held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on 30 April 2001. The BBC won gold awards in 23 out of 30 categories. A new category, Digital Terrestrial Station, (won by OneWord Radio ) was introduced. The winner of the lifetime achievement award, Chris Tarrant , criticised the commercial sector for suppressing spontaneity in radio.
Category
Winner
Station/Organisation
Refs
Gold award
Chris Tarrant
2000 award
Terry Wogan
BBC Radio 2
Special award
Derek Cooper OBE
BBC Radio 4
Speech broadcaster award
Peter White
BBC Radio 4
Music broadcaster award
Stuart Maconie
BBC Radio 2
News broadcaster award
Jon Gaunt
BBC Three Counties Radio
UK Station of the year
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2
Station of the year: 500,000 – 12 million
Clyde 1
Clyde 1 (Glasgow)
Station of the year: up to 500,000
BBC Radio Foyle
BBC Radio Foyle (Londonderry)
Digital terrestrial station of the year
OneWord Radio
OneWord Radio
Breakfast music award
Daryl Denham in the Morning
100.7 Heart FM (Birmingham)
Breakfast news and talk award
The Jon Gaunt Breakfast Show
BBC Three Counties Radio
Comedy award
Dead Ringers
BBC Radio 4
Community award
Floodwatch 2000
BBC Radio York
Competition award
Hey Sexy
Kiss 100
Drama award
Alpha , written by Mike Walker
BBC World Service
Entertainment award
Bitz and Pieces CD
Murf Media for local UK stations
Event award
coverage of The Olympics
BBC Radio 5 Live
Feature award
Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird
BBC Radio 3
Interactive award
The Stephen Rhodes Consumer Programme
BBC Three Counties Radio
Music programming award – daily sequences
The Mark Radcliffe Show
BBC Radio 1
Music programming award – single programmes
Smash Hits , presented by Darren Proctor
Emap Big City Network
'Music Special' award
Hymnus Paradisi , written by Eric Pringle
BBC Radio 4
News coverage award
The Jon Gaunt Breakfast Show
BBC Three Counties Radio
News programme award
On Your Farm , presented by Anna Hill
BBC Radio 4
Short form award
Colloquies – Thomas Lynch
BBC Radio 4
Specialist music award
A Beginner's Guide To Reggae , presented by Mark Lamarr
BBC Radio 2
Speech award
Girl Talk , presented by Heidi Williams
BBC Radio Wales
Sports award
Wembley Live Obituary Show , presented by Jim White
BBC Radio 5 Live
Station sound award
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2
2002 Gold Award winners [ edit ]
The 20th Sony Radio Academy Awards ceremony, hosted by Paul Gambaccini , was held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on 2 May 2002. BBC Radio 4 won the most awards (six).[citation needed ] Guests included the singers Jarvis Cocker and Feargal Sharkey , actress Janet Suzman , and the girl group Sugababes who all presented awards.
2003 Gold Award winners [ edit ]
The 21st Sony Radio Academy Awards ceremony, hosted by Paul Gambaccini , was held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on 8 May 2003. BBC Radio 4 won six awards including UK Station of the Year. Guests included Grace Jones , Sam Fox , Tony Blackburn , and Meatloaf who all presented awards.
2004 Gold Award winners [ edit ]
The 22nd Sony Radio Academy Awards ceremony, hosted by Paul Gambaccini , was held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on 12 May 2004. Commercial radio won a number of the top awards but BBC Radio 4 retained the UK Station of the Year award. Guests included Sir Elton John , Penny Lancaster , and Amy Winehouse who all presented awards.
Category
Winner
Station/Organisation
Refs
Gold award
Johnnie Walker
2003 award
Ian Robertson
Speech broadcaster of the year
Ian Robertson
BBC Radio Sport for BBC Radio 5 Live
Music broadcaster of the year
David Rodigan
Kiss 100
News journalist of the year
Hugh Sykes
BBC Radio News: The World at One and PM for BBC Radio 4
DJ of the year
Christian O'Connell
Xfm
Station programmer of the year
John Simons , group programme director
GMG Radio
Station of the year: UK
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
Station of the year: 1 million plus
Heart 106.2
Heart 106.2
Station of the year: 300,000 – 1 million
BBC Radio Suffolk
BBC Radio Suffolk
Station of the year: under 300,000
BBC Radio Foyle
BBC Radio Foyle
Station of the year: digital terrestrial
PrimeTime Radio
PrimeTime Radio
Breakfast show of the year
JK & Joel @ Breakfast
Key 103
Daily music show of the year
Lunchtime with Ace and Invisible
1Xtra for the BBC
Weekly music show of the year
Jonathan Ross
Off The Kerb Productions /BBC Radio 2
News programme of the year
Crossing Continents : India
BBC Radio Current Affairs for BBC Radio 4
Promotional campaign of the year
8 Mile
BBC Broadcast for BBC Radio 5 Live
Comedy award
I'm Sorry I Haven't a Christmas Carol
BBC Radio Entertainment for BBC Radio 4
Community award
No Buts , a quit smoking campaign, hosted by Chris Ashley
BBC Radio Shropshire
Competition award
Live With Matt and H
GWR FM Wiltshire
Drama award
The Loneliest Road , written and directed by Gregory Whitehead
BBC Radio Drama for BBC Radio 3
Entertainment award
Jono and Harriet at Breakfast
Heart 106.2
Event award
The State Visit of President Bush
BBC Radio Cleveland
Feature award
The Archive Hour: Lance Corporal Baronowski's Vietnam
Loftus Productions for BBC Radio 4
Information award
Life Matters
Forth One
Interaction award
The Stephen Nolan Show
City Beat
'Music Special' award
For One Night Only: Bob Marley Live at the Lyceum , presented by Paul Gambaccini
BBC Radio & Music/Factual for Radio 4
News output award
Drive , presented by Peter Allen and Jane Garvey
BBC Radio News for BBC Radio 5 Live
News story award
Jeremy Bowen : The Capture of Saddam Hussein
Ten Alps /BBC Radio 5 Live
Short form feature award
Stuck in the Middle
BBC Radio & Music Factual for BBC Radio 4
Specialist music award
Andy Kershaw , Festival in the Desert
BBC Radio 3
Speech award
The Stephen Nolan Show
City Beat
Sports award
The Real Alex Ferguson , presented by Clive Anderson
Unique the Production Co. for BBC Radio 5 Live
Station sound award
BBC Radio 5 Live
BBC Radio 5 Live
2005 Gold Award winners [ edit ]
The 23rd Sony Radio Academy Awards ceremony, hosted by Paul Gambaccini , was held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on 9 May 2005. The BBC won 22 awards including 5 awards for BBC Radio 1 . Guests included Alice Cooper , the tennis player Annabel Croft , TV presenter Kirsty Gallacher , BBC Radio 4 's Sue MacGregor , Ulrika Jonsson , Heather McCartney and Shakin Stevens who all presented awards.
Category
Winner
Station/Organisation
Refs
Gold award
Steve Wright
2004 award
UK Radio Aid
Speech broadcaster of the year
Jeremy Vine
BBC Radio 2
Music broadcaster of the year
Zane Lowe
BBC Radio 1
News journalist of the year
Eddie Mair
BBC Radio 4
DJ of the year
Danny Baker
BBC London 94.9
Station programmer of the year
Richard Maddock
Radio City 96.7
UK station of the year
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2
Station of the year: 1 million plus
Radio City 96.7
Radio City 96.7
Station of the year: 300,000 – 1 million
BBC Three Counties Radio
BBC Three Counties Radio
Station of the year: under 300,000
BBC Radio Foyle
BBC Radio Foyle
Digital terrestrial station of the year
Capital Disney
Capital Disney
Breakfast show of the year
Christian O'Connell 's Breakfast Show
Xfm
Daily music show of the year
Drivetime with Lucio
Kerrang! 105.2
News programme of the year
Vote Friction , an investigation into the BNP
Unique the Production Co. for BBC Radio 1
Weekly music show of the year
The Selector
FCUK FM
Comedy award
Complete and Utter History of the Mona Lisa , performed by the National Theatre of Brent
Above the Title for BBC Radio 4
Community award
The Stephen Nolan Show
BBC Radio Ulster
Competition award
Christian O'Connell's Rock School
Xfm
Drama award
Laughter in the Dark , an adaptation of Nabokov 's novel dramatised by Craig Higginson
BBC Radio 3
Entertainment award
Christian O'Connell's Breakfast Show
Xfm
Event award
The Drive Show: D-Day Anniversary
BBC Radio Kent
Feature award
Missing The Message , documentary about AIDS and young people
Unique the Production Co. for BBC Radio 1
Information award
Unhappy Hour
Viking FM and Magic 1161
Interactive radio award
Three Counties Breakfast
BBC Three Counties Radio
'Music Special' award
Teenage Dreams So Hard To Beat , documentary about John Peel presented by Jarvis Cocker
BBC Radio 1
News output award
coverage of the Beslan Siege
BBC World Service
News story award
coverage of the Asian Tsunami , presented by Christian Fraser , Ross Hawkins, Shelagh Fogarty and Lesley Ashmall
BBC Radio 5 Live
Promo award
A77 Guardian Angel Campaign
West Sound , West FM andSouthWest Sound FM
Short form feature award
Blind Man's Beauty
BBC Radio 4
Specialist music award
Zane Lowe
BBC Radio 1
Speech award
Beyond Belief : Islam and Women
BBC Radio 4
Sports award
City Till I Die , documentary on York City F.C. by journalist Colin Hazelden
BBC Radio York
Station sound award
Kiss 100
Kiss 100
2006 Gold Award winners [ edit ]
The 24th Sony Radio Academy Awards ceremony, hosted by Paul Gambaccini , was held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on 8 May 2006. Stephen Nolan became the first person to win seven gold Sony awards. Guests included Andrea Corr , Dame Edna Everage , Lenny Henry and Jeff Wayne who all presented awards.
2007 Gold award winners [ edit ]
The 25th Sony Radio Academy Awards ceremony, hosted by Paul Gambaccini and Terry Wogan , was held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on 30 April 2007. The Sony Broadcasters' Broadcaster Award, a special prize to mark the 25th year of the awards, was given to John Peel , who died in 2004. The award was received by Sheila Ravenscroft, Peel's widow. Guests included a selection of actors, singers and broadcasters (Natasha Bedingfield , Katie Derham , Fred and Richard Fairbrass (Right Said Fred ), Sir David Frost ,
Amanda Holden , Jamelia , Carol Vorderman , Konnie Huq (Blue Peter ), Melinda Messenger , Dolores O'Riordan , and Richard Park ) who all presented awards.
^ Drama portraying the story of Lorilei Guillory who testified against the death penalty for her son's killer. Adapted from a stage play of the same name by Thomas Wright, which also used Guillory's words.
^ Programme looking at the decline of the steel industry in Sheffield with social commentary, sound effects, and newly commissioned music. The series was inspired by the documentaries made by Ewan MacColl , Peggy Seeger and Charles Parker in 1956. Music by John Tams , Kate Rusby , Julie Matthews and Ray Hearne.
2008 Gold Award winners [ edit ]
The 26th Sony Radio Academy Awards ceremony, hosted by Paul Gambaccini , was held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on 12 May 2008. The BBC World Service won four awards, including Journalist of the Year for Owen Bennett-Jones . Guests included Edwyn Collins , Joan Collins , Boris Johnson , Al Murray , and Will Young who all presented awards.
Category
Winner
Station/Organisation
Refs
special Gold award
Brian Matthew
BBC Radio 2
Special award
Jenny Abramsky
BBC Audio and Music
Local and regional lifetime achievement
Eamonn Mallie, for reporting The Troubles in Northern Ireland
Downtown Radio
Music radio personality of the year
Jonathan Ross
BBC Radio 2 (BBC Radio 2 and Off the Kerb )
Music broadcaster of the year
Andi Durrant
Galaxy Network (Distorted Productions and Galaxy Network Programming)
News journalist of the year
Owen Bennett-Jones
BBC World Service (BBC World Service News Programmes)
Speech broadcaster of the year
Simon Mayo
BBC Radio 5 Live (BBC News Programmes)
Station programmer of the year
Mary Kalemkerian[ a]
BBC7
Rising star
George Lamb
BBC 6 Music
Station of the year: UK
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
Station of the year: 1 million plus
Key 103
Key 103 (Manchester)
Station of the year: 300,000 – 1 million
GWR Bristol
GWR Bristol
Station of the year: digital
Planet Rock
Planet Rock
Station of the year: under 300,000
Silk FM
Silk FM
Breakfast show
The Chris Moyles Show
BBC Radio 1
Breaking news
coverage of the Omagh fire tragedy[ b]
BBC Radio Ulster (BBC Radio Current Affairs)
Comedy
Down The Line (series 2, episode 2)
BBC Radio 4 (Down The Line Productions)
Community
Lights Out London [ c]
Capital 95.8
Competition
Sell Me The Answer
Key 103
Drama
Q&A [ d]
BBC Radio 4 (Goldhawk Essential)
Entertainment
The Russell Brand Show
BBC Radio 2
Feature
Malcolm McLaren 's Life and Times in LA: A Radio Movie[ e]
BBC Radio 2 (Just Radio)
Internet programme
The Book Slam Podcast
The Book Slam Website (Karen P Productions/Patrick Neate)
Listener participation
World Have Your Say
BBC World Service (BBC World Service News & Current Affairs)
Live event coverage
Gosnold 400 [ f]
BBC Radio Suffolk
Multiplatform radio
The Bangladesh Boat Project [ g]
BBC World Service
Music programme
The Dermot O'Leary Show
BBC Radio 2 (Murfia Productions)
Music special
The Feelgood Factor [ h]
BBC Radio 2 (Smooth Operations)
News and current affairs programme
Newshour
BBC World Service (BBC World Service News & Current Affairs)
News feature
Britain's Missing Girls [ i]
BBC Asian Network (BBC News, BBC Investigations Unit and BBC Birmingham)
Promo
96.3 Radio Aire's Green Project
Radio Aire (Aire Creative)
Specialist music programme
Friday Night Floorfillers with Krystle , presented by Krystle Weaver
97.3 Forth One
Speech programme
Saturday Live
BBC Radio 4 (BBC General Factual)
Sports programme
All The Tickets Are in the Wrong Hands [ j]
Radio City (Radio City News & Sport)
Station imaging
Magic 105.4
Magic 105.4 (Magic 105.4 Production)
^ Mary Kalemkerian was a teacher before joining the BBC in 1979. She became head of programming at BBC7 in March 2002 before its launch in December. She later oversaw the station's rebranding as Radio 4 Extra in 2011 before announcing her retirement from the BBC in 2012.
^ A house fire in Omagh where a family of seven died in what at first seemed to be an accident. Later, investigations pointed to arson, most likely by the father of the family, a convicted sex offender. A later inquiry also highlighted failings in the region's social services.
^ A campaign to raise awareness of environmental issues by encouraging Londoners to turn of unused lights for an hour on the longest day of the year.
^ 10 part dramatisation of Vikas Swarup 's novel Q & A (also adapted for the film Slumdog Millionaire ). The radio adaptation remained more faithful to the original book than the film. It was recorded on location in India and was adapted by Ayeesha Menon and produced by John Dryden .
^ A vivid, music driven, sound picture of Los Angeles. Mclaren visited the city for a promotional tour and stayed for four years. Produced by Kate Bland.
^ Coverage of the celebration of 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, Virginia. Suffolk explorer Bartholomew Gosnold was involved in setting up the colony.
^ A month long journey through the Bangladesh wetlands looking at the effects of climate change.
^ Mark Radcliffe and Phil Walmsley on a radio road trip to visit locations associated with Dr. Feelgood 's LP Down by the Jetty from 1975. Produced by John Leonard .
^ Investigation of pregnant British asian women who travel to India for gender testing and abortions for female foetuses.
^ Investigation into how touts obtained hundreds of football tickets for the 2007 Champions league final between Liverpool FC and AC Milan. The programme also won the IRN News Award (Best Sports Coverage) in April 2008.
2009 Gold Award winners [ edit ]
Category
Winner
Station/Organisation
Refs
Gold award
Neil Fox
Special award
Paul Brown[ a]
Local and regional lifetime achievement
Colin Slater
BBC Radio Nottingham
Music broadcaster of the year
Mark Radcliffe
BBC Radio 2 (Smooth Operations)
News journalist of the year
Gavin Lee
BBC Radio 5 Live (BBC News)
Speech broadcaster of the year
Nick Ferrari
LBC 97.3
Music radio personality of the year
Chris Evans
BBC Radio 2
Speech radio personality of the year
Vanessa Feltz
BBC London 94.9
Sony DAB rising star
Singing Henry (aka Henry Evans)
Kerrang! Radio
Station of the year: UK
BBC Radio 3
BBC Radio 3
Station of the year: 1 million plus
Kerrang 105.2
Kerrang 105.2
Station of the year: 300,000 – 1 million
BBC Hereford & Worcester
BBC Hereford & Worcester
Station of the year: under 300,000
Beacon Radio (Shropshire)
Beacon Radio (Shropshire)
Station of the year: digital
Fun Kids
Fun Kids
Breakfast show
5 Live Breakfast , presented by Nicky Campbell and Shelagh Fogarty
BBC Radio 5 Live
Breaking news
coverage of The Rangers riots in Manchester
BBC Radio Manchester
Comedy
Count Arthur Strong's Radio Show
BBC Radio 4 (Komedia Entertainment and Smooth Operations)
Community
A Sound Fix (Spots)
Electric Radio Brixton (Prison Radio Association)
Competition
Facebuck$
Galaxy (Manchester, Birmingham, Yorkshire & North East)
Drama
Mr Larkin's Awkward Day
BBC Radio 4 (BBC Radio Drama)
Entertainment
Chris Evans Drivetime
BBC Radio 2
Feature
Between The Ears: Staring At The Wall , presented by Alan Dein
BBC Radio 3 (BBC Radio Documentaries)
Internet programme
The Budgerigar and the Prisoner
Clifton Diocese
Interview
Taking A Stand , Fergal Keane interviews Lana Vandenberghe[ b]
BBC Radio 4 (BBC Radio Current Affairs)
Listener participation
Electric Radio Brixton: Daily Show
Electric Radio Brixton (Prison Radio Association and Electric Radio Brixton)
Live event coverage
Absolute Coldplay [ c]
Absolute Radio (Absolute Radio and TBI Media)
Multiplatform radio
coverage of Wimbledon
BBC Radio 5 Live (BBC Radio 5 Live interactive)
Music programme
Words and Music , a themed sequence of music, poetry and prose
BBC Radio 3 (BBC Radio Arts/BBC Radio 3)
Music programming
Classic FM
Classic FM
Music special
Vaughan Williams : Valiant for Truth , portrait of the composer, presented by Stephen Johnson
BBC Radio 3
News and current affairs
The World Today
BBC World Service (BBC World Service News and Current Affairs)
News special
The Investigation: Never Too Old To Care
BBC Radio Scotland (Stark Production)
Promo
Kiss The Planet – What Will You Do?
Kiss Network (Kiss Imaging Team)
Specialist music programme
David Rodigan
Kiss Network (Kiss Specialist Production Team)
Speech
Simon Mayo and Mark Kermode
BBC Radio 5 Live (BBC News)
Sports
5 Live Olympic Breakfast
BBC Radio 5 Live (BBC News Programmes and BBC Sport)
Station imaging
1Xtra
BBC 1 Xtra
Themed programming
Family Life
BBC Hereford & Worcester
2010 Gold Award winners [ edit ]
Category
Winner
Station/Organisation
Breakfast Show of the Year (10 million plus)
Today
BBC Radio 4
Breakfast Show of the Year (under 10 million)
Dixie & Gayle, The Real Breakfast Show
Real Radio Yorkshire
Best Music Programme
Dermot O'Leary
BBC Radio 2
Best Specialist Music Programme
Zane Lowe
BBC Radio 1
Best Entertainment Programme
Capital Breakfast
Capital London
Best Speech Programme
Nihal on BBC Asian Network
BBC Asian Network
Best Sports Programme
Sportsound
BBC Radio Scotland
Best News & Current Affairs Programme
Newshour
BBC World Service
Best Breaking News Coverage
Alzheimer's Tragedy
BBC Radio Ulster
Best Live Event Coverage
Absolute Blur
Absolute Radio
Best Community Programming
The New Ballads of Reading Gaol
BBC Radio Berkshire
Best Internet Programme
Hackney Podcast
Hackney Podcast
Music Radio Personality of the Year
Scott Mills
BBC Radio 1
Music Broadcaster of the Year
Zane Lowe
BBC Radio 1
Speech Radio Personality of the Year
Frances Finn
BBC Radio Nottingham
Speech Broadcaster of the Year
Sir David Attenborough
BBC Radio 4
News Journalist of the Year
Lyse Doucet
BBC World Service
Best Specialist Contributor
Mark Kermode
BBC Radio 5 live
Best Interview
Jenni Murray interviews Sharon Shoesmith
BBC Radio 4
Station Programmer of the Year
Euan McMorrow
Radio City 96.7
Best Use of Branded Content
NME Radio for Skins Radio
NME Radio
Best Single Promo/Commercial
Dear Stan
talkSPORT
Best Promotional/Advertising Campaign
Vote Joe
Real Radio North East
Best Competition
Who's Calling Christian'
Absolute Radio
Best Station Imaging
Oxfordshire's 106 JACK fm
Oxfordshire's 106 JACK fm
Best Music Special
Elvis By Bono
BBC Radio 4
Best News Special
Crossing Continents: Chechnya
BBC Radio 4
Best Feature
Archive on 4: Working for Margaret
BBC Radio 4
Best Comedy
Adam and Joe
BBC 6 Music
Best Drama
People Snogging in Public Places
BBC Radio 3
Station of the Year (up to 300,000)
Moray Firth Radio (MFR)
Moray Firth Radio (MFR)
Station of the Year (300,000 – 1 million)
BBC Radio Derby
BBC Radio Derby
Station of the Year (1 Million plus)
Kiss 100
Kiss 100
Digital Station of the Year
Planet Rock
Planet Rock
UK Station of the Year
BBC Radio 5 live
BBC Radio 5 live
The Special Gold Award
Trevor Nelson
The Special Award
BFBS Radio
2011 Gold Award winners [ edit ]
Category
Winner
Station/Organisation
Breakfast Show of the Year (10 million plus)
5 live Breakfast
BBC Radio 5 live
Breakfast Show of the Year (under 10 million)
The Graham Mack Breakfast show
BBC Wiltshire
Best Music Programme
Simon Mayo Drivetime
BBC Radio 2
Best Specialist Music Programme
Jazz on 3
BBC Radio 3
Best Entertainment Programme
The Frank Skinner Show
Absolute Radio
Best Speech Programme
The Infinite Monkey Cage
BBC Radio 4
Best Sports Programme
Fighting Talk
BBC Radio 5 live
Best News & Current Affairs Programme
Victoria Derbyshire
BBC Radio 5 live
Best Breaking News Coverage
5 live Drive: Birth Of The Coalition
BBC Radio 5 live
Best Live Event Coverage
The Ryder Cup on 5 live
BBC Radio 5 live
Best Community Programming
Warning: May Contain Nuts
BBC Radio Berkshire
Best Internet Programme
Answer Me This!
Answer Me This!
Music Radio Personality of the Year
Ronnie Wood
Absolute Radio, Absolute Classic Rock
Music Broadcaster of the Year
Zane Lowe
BBC Radio 1
Speech Radio Personality of the Year
Danny Baker
BBC Radio 5 live, BBC London 94.9
Speech Broadcaster of the Year
Jeremy Vine
BBC Radio 2
News Journalist of the Year
Matthew Price
BBC Radio 4
Best On-Air Contributor
Annabel Port
Absolute Radio
Best Interview
Jeremy Vine interviews Gordon Brown
BBC Radio 2
Best Use of Branded Content
Alex Masterley on Classic FM with Towry
Classic FM
Best Single Promo/Commercial
Capital's Summertime Ball Mash-up
95.8 Capital FM
Best Promotional/Advertising Campaign
The FIFA World Cup 2010, South Africa on talkSPORT
talkSPORT
Best Competition
Beat The Star
Heart West Midlands
Best Station Imaging
Kiss 100
Kiss 100
Best Music Special
The John Bonham Story
BBC 6 Music
Best News Special
Raoul Moat – The Final Hours
Real Radio
Best Feature
Heel, Toe, Step Together
BBC Radio 4
Best Comedy
The Jason Byrne Show
BBC Radio 2
Best Drama
Every Child Matters
BBC Radio 4
Best Use of Multiplatform
BBC Introducing
BBC Radio 1, BBC 6 Music, BBC Asian Network, BBC Radio 1Xtra, BBC Radio 3, BBC Local Radio, BBC Radio 2
Station of the Year (Under 300,000)
Central FM (103.1 FM)
Central FM (103.1 FM)
Station of the Year (300,000 – 1 million)
BBC Radio Derby
BBC Radio Derby
Station of the Year (1 Million plus)
105.4 Real Radio North West
105.4 Real Radio North West
Digital Station of the Year
Fun Kids
Fun Kids
UK Station of the Year
talkSPORT
talkSPORT
Station Programmer of the Year
Moz Dee
talkSPORT
The Special Gold Award
Annie Nightingale
BBC Radio 1
The Gold Award
Jenni Murray
2012 Gold Award winners [ edit ]
Category
Winner
Station/Organisation
Breakfast Show of the Year (10 million plus)
KISS Breakfast with Rickie, Melvin and Charlie
Kiss 100
Breakfast Show of the Year (under 10 million)
Real Radio Breakfast with Gary and Lisa
Real Radio North East
Best Music Programme
Fearne Cotton
BBC Radio 1
Best Specialist Music Programme
David Rodigan
BBC Radio 2
Best Entertainment Programme
Beryl and Betty
BBC Radio Humberside
Best Speech Programme
Stephen Nolan
BBC Radio 5 Live
Best Sports Programme
Keys & Gray
talkSPORT
Best News & Current Affairs Programme
5 live Drive
BBC Radio 5 Live
Best Breaking News Coverage
PM
BBC Radio 4
Best Live Event Coverage
The Royal Wedding
BBC World Service
Best Community Programming
Face to Face
National Prison Radio
Best Internet Programme
Science Weekly: Sounds of the Space Shuttle – An Acoustic Tribute
The Guardian
Music Radio Personality of the Year
Chris Evans
BBC Radio 2
Music Broadcaster of the Year
Jools Holland
BBC Radio 2
Speech Radio Personality of the Year
Danny Baker
BBC Radio 5 Live
Speech Broadcaster of the Year
Victoria Derbyshire
BBC Radio 5 Live
News Journalist of the Year
Mike Thomson
BBC Radio 4
Best Interview
Eddie Mair interviews Julie Nicholson
BBC Radio 4
Station Programmer of the Year
Andy Roberts
KISS
Best Use of Branded Content
Danny Wallace's Naked Breakfast
Xfm
Best Single Promo/Commercial
Geoff Lloyd's Hometime Show – The Complaints
Absolute Radio
Best Promotional/Advertising Campaign
Wimbledon 2011
BBC Radio 2
Best Competition
2 Strangers and a Wedding
106 JACKfm Oxfordshire and glide FM 107.9 Oxfordshire
Best Station Imaging
BBC Radio 1Xtra
BBC Radio 1Xtra
Best Music Feature/Special/Documentary
Feeling Good – The Nina Simone Story Part 1
BBC Radio 2
Best News Feature/Special/Documentary
Child of Ardoyne
BBC Radio 3
Best Feature/Special/Documentary
Walking with the Wounded
Smooth Radio
Best Comedy
Mark Steel's in Town
BBC Radio 4
Best Drama
On It
BBC Radio 4
Best Use of Multiplatform/Social Media
Now Playing@6Music
BBC Radio 6 Music
Station of the Year (Under 300,000)
KL.FM 96.7
KL.FM 96.7
Station of the Year (300,000 – 1 million)
107.6 Juice FM
107.6 Juice FM
Station of the Year (1 Million plus)
Radio City 96.7
Radio City 96.7
UK Station of the Year
BBC Radio 6 Music
BBC Radio 6 Music
The Gold Award
Nicholas Parsons
2013 Gold Award winners [ edit ]
Category
Winner
Station/Organisation
Breakfast Show of the Year (10 million plus)
Today Programme
BBC Radio 4
Breakfast Show of the Year (under 10 million)
Sam & Amy
Gem 106
Best Music Programme
The Dermot O'Leary Show
BBC Radio 2
Best Entertainment Programme
The Danny Baker Show
BBC Radio 5 Live
Best Speech Programme
Witness
BBC World Service
Best Sports Programme
5 live Olympics with Peter Allen and Colin Murray
BBC Radio 5 live
Best News & Current Affairs Programme
BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat
BBC Radio 1
Best Coverage of a Live Event
London 2012: The Olympic & Paralympic Games
BBC Radio 5 live
Best Community Programming
Ciaran's Cause
Real Radio North West
Music Radio Personality of the Year
Christian O'Connell
Absolute Radio
Music Radio Broadcaster of the Year
Cerys Matthews
BBC Radio 6 Music
Speech Radio Broadcaster of the Year
Eddie Mair
BBC Radio 4
Radio Journalism of the Year
John Humphrys
BBC Radio 4
Best Use of Branded Content
The Christian O'Connell Breakfast Show with Wickes
Absolute Radio
Best Promotional/Advertising Campaign
The Gothic Imagination
BBC Radio 4 & 4 Extra Presentation for BBC Radio 4
Best Competition
Coca-Cola Fan Reporter
talkSPORT
Best Station Imaging
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2
Best Music Feature or Documentary
The Story of Ed Sheeran
BBC Radio 1
Best News Feature or Documentary
The Bombardment of Homs
BBC World Service
Best Feature or Documentary
Bruising Silence
BBC Radio 1
Best Comedy
Isy Suttie : Pearl and Dave
BBC Radio 4
Best Drama
The Resistance of Mrs Brown
BBC Radio 4
Best Use of Multiplatform
Radio 1's Review Show
BBC Radio 1
Station of the Year (Under 300,000)
KL.FM 96.7
KL.FM 96.7
Station of the Year (300,000 – 1 million)
BBC Radio Humberside
BBC Radio Humberside
Station of the Year (1 Million plus)
Metro Radio
Metro Radio
UK Station of the Year
BBC Radio 5 live
BBC Radio 5 live
UK Radio Brand of the Year
Classic FM
Classic FM
The Gold Award
Richard Park
The Special Gold Award
Steve Lamacq
BBC Radio 6 Music
2014 Gold Award winners [ edit ]
Category
Winner
Station/Organisation
Breakfast Show of the Year (10 million plus)
The Capital Breakfast Show with Dave Berry & Lisa Snowdon
95.8 Capital FM
Breakfast Show of the Year (under 10 million)
Iain Lee
BBC Three Counties Radio
Best Music Programme
The Jazz Show with Jamie Cullum
BBC Radio 2
Best Specialist Music Programme
The Beatdown on XFM with Scroobius Pip
XFM London & XFM Manchester
Best Entertainment Programme
Greg James
BBC Radio 1
Best Speech Programme
The Frank Skinner Show
Absolute Radio
Best Sports Programme
The Day We Won Wimbledon
BBC Radio 5 live
Best News & Current Affairs Programme
PM
BBC Radio 4
Best Coverage of a Live Event
The Death of Nelson Mandela
BBC World Service
Best Community Programming
Slavery on our Streets
LBC 97.3
Music Radio Personality of the Year
Sam & Amy
Gem 106
Music Radio Broadcaster of the Year
Zane Lowe
BBC Radio 1
Speech Radio Personality of the Year
Danny Baker
BBC Radio 5 live
Speech Radio Broadcaster of the Year
Victoria Derbyshire
BBC Radio 5 live
National Radio Journalist of the Year
Tom Swarbrick
LBC 97.3
Local Radio Journalist of the Year
BBC Radio Norfolk News Team
BBC Radio Norfolk
Best Interview of the Year
Winfred Robinson interviews Ralph Bulger
BBC Radio 4
Best Use of Branded Content
The Christian O'Connell Breakfast Show with Wickes
Absolute Radio
Best Promotional Campaign
Wimbledon 2013
BBC World Service
Best Competition
The Heart House
Heart West Midlands
Best Station Imaging
KISS FM (UK)
KISS FM (UK)
Radio Brand of the Year
The Absolute Radio Network
The Absolute Radio Network
Best Music Feature or Documentary
Soul Music: Strange Fruit
BBC Radio 4
Best News Feature or Documentary
Tempted by Teacher
BBC Radio 1
Best Feature or Documentary
Between the Ears: Mighty Beast
BBC Radio 3
Best Comedy
The Secret World
BBC Radio 4
Best Drama
The Morpeth Carol
BBC Radio 4
Best Creative Innovation
#Lipdublincoln
BBC Radio Lincolnshire
Best Technical Innovation
InStream for Absolute Radio
Absolute Radio
Station of the Year (under 1 million)
BBC Tees
BBC Tees
Station of the Year (1 million plus)
BBC Radio Ulster
BBC Radio Ulster
UK Station of the Year
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2
The Special Gold Award
Tony Blackburn
BBC Radio 2
The Special Award
The Production and Presentation Team for Call Clegg & Ask Boris
LBC
^ a b c The awards for best national and local DJs were voted for by the readers of Smash Hits magazine.
"Sue MacGregor" . www.knightayton.co.uk . London: Knight Ayton Management. Retrieved 31 January 2018 .
"The Radio Stars" (PDF) . Studio Sound and Broadcast Engineering . Vol. 35, no. 5. Spotlight. May 1993. pp. 7–8. ISSN 0144-5944 . Retrieved 18 January 2018 .