BLOG

Independent Media News
  • Home
  • About
  • Meet The Team
  • Content
    • Radio >
      • Interviews Sign Up
      • Comps Sign Up
      • Talking Features Sign Up
    • Digital
    • TV
  • Contact
    • Careers

Does TalkRadio deliver the Dialogue, Debate and Discourse it promised?

4/4/2016

0 Comments

 
Last month, TalkRadio was launched. As the sister station to talkSPORT, talkSPORT2 and Virgin Radio – the new station promises to ‘bring something new and fresh to the world of radio’.
 
TalkRadio promises to fill a controversial gap in the broadcasting market, claiming it will ‘shake-up’ the speech radio category – covering a wealth of subjects from celebrity culture to the big issues within politics. The presenters will hear opinions from listeners, politicians and celebrities.
Picture
The Presenters
In the run up to its launch, the most controversial aspect of the station has been the line-up of presenters. Paul Ross will be the new breakfast host, after he left the BBC following a drug scandal at the end of 2014. Former Member of Parliament for Bradford West – renowned for his Big Brother antics, George Galloway will be taking to the mic on Fridays and Iain Lee will also make a triumphant return to the airwaves after his contentious sacking from BBC three counties after he clashed with a Christian Lawyer live on air – calling her ‘bigoted’.

 
Also joining this ‘eclectic’ mix will be Eamon Holmes, Sam Delaney and Julia Hartley-Brewer.
So, apart from the presenters, what else will TalkRadio bring to listeners? The speech radio genre has existed for years in the UK and includes the likes of BBC4, LBC and Radio City.
 
Speech Radio
What makes TalkRadio different is its casual nature. Although it is renowned within the genre, I personally view stations such as BBC4 with a slight stigma. Although I don’t find them insufferable, I often think that they are aimed at an older audience and widely discuss conservative topics that can sometimes exclude certain listeners.
 
After listening to TalkRadio’s mid-morning show with Julia Hartley-Brewer, I came across an unusual debate between a roofer and an accountant, in which they were discussing which profession consisted of better drivers (I think they concluded that it is roofers, but accountants are more likely to claim on insurance – if you were interested).
 
What has been missing from the talk radio genre is something relatable for all ages and types of people. I think the UK needs a radio station that can discuss what profession has safer drivers, but can then seamlessly go on to discuss the threat of North Korea and the ‘nutter’ in charge (as Julia so profoundly described Kim Jong Un) – if this continues to be done right this station will fit a niche in the genre that has previously been vacant.  
 
Like any new radio station, it will in time come into its own, but this combination of outspoken presenters and ‘stimulating’ debate featuring on TalkRadio is well worth a listen. In time, I personally think these factors will put it up there with its sister station TalkSport in terms of its witty banter and serious debate.
 
Radio Spokespeople
Talk radio regularly needs spokespeople and interesting on-air guests. IMN Content are the UK’s lifestyle news and consumer content providers. IMN are able to provide any UK radio stations with spokespeople and guests so if you’re a member of the UK radio industry and would like free content then please click here to get in contact or call us on 020 7717 9696 or email hello@imngroup.co.uk

Chloe Shepherd - Digital Media Liaison @ Independent Media News
@IMNcontent ​
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Authors

    Filippo Cartoni
    Molly Treanor
    Chalice Cox-Hynd

    Archives

    October 2018
    June 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    August 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    November 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Keep in touch with the IMN team by phone, email or social media! 

Telephone

020 3958 7086

Email                                                                  Social 

news@imngroup.co.uk
IMN is a registered trademark and brand owned by Relations Group Ltd. Company No: 4619686. Registered Office: Grosvenor Studios, 197, Shenley Rd. Elstree. WD6 1AR. Copyright © 2017. All content on this site is the Copyright and I.P. of Relations Group Ltd and can only be used with written permission. For video production please visit TeleVisualise
  • Home
  • About
  • Meet The Team
  • Content
    • Radio >
      • Interviews Sign Up
      • Comps Sign Up
      • Talking Features Sign Up
    • Digital
    • TV
  • Contact
    • Careers