RadioCentre encourages backing for national independent programming

RadioCentre, the UK commercial radio industry body, is calling on production companies and media agencies to get behind plans to create more national programming. The body is working with radio operators and calling on independent productions ideas to develop “innovative” ideas.

The Radio Advertising Bureau, the customer arm of the body, is also inviting media agencies to put forward clients who want to be “actively involved” in shaping a cross network event next year.

RadioCentre chief executive, Andrew Harrison (pictured), says it is looking to create a schedule of “landmark programming” for the commercial radio industry, building on previous industry initiatives such as UK Music Week and UK Radio Aid.

He says: “These big events enable us to deliver the kind of programming for our listeners that no individual group or network could achieve on their own.”

Michael O’Brien, director of strategy and operations, says that commercial radio, which reaches more than 32 million listeners a week, can create more opportunities for advertisers wanting to reach “vast” numbers of listeners through collaborative industry initiatives.