ARQIVA COMMERCIAL RADIO AWARDS 2016 WINNERS ANNOUNCED

The winners of the 2016 Arqiva Commercial Radio Awards were announced this evening (17 May) at a star-studded ceremony at London’s Roundhouse in Camden.

The awards, now in their 21st year and organised by Radiocentre, are the biggest annual celebration of commercial radio. They honour the best in all aspects of the original broadcast medium, from presentation and programming to advertising and marketing. The ceremony was hosted by comedian Jon Holmes and the atmosphere enhanced by blistering live sets from BB Diamond, Jack Savoretti and Fleur East.

Both Global and Bauer scooped scores of awards. Global’s Gold winners included Iain Dale of LBC, who took home Presenter of the Year (over 2 million TSA) and Ella Griffith of Global’s Newsroom Yorkshire, who won Journalist of the Year (Ali Booker Memorial Award). Heart’s 100 Happy Days on the Heart Network scooped Feature of the Year and Global’s Make Some Noise campaign took Gold in the Social Action Initiative category.

Bauer’s Gold gongs winners included Paul Sylvester of Absolute Radio who won Programmer of the Year. Radio Borders was hailed Station of the Year (500,000 TSA), while Absolute Radio were awarded Gold in the Station of the Year (2 million + TSA) category. The Christian O’Connell Breakfast Show won Breakfast Show of the Year (over 2 million TSA).

Independents did themselves proud once again, scooping handfuls of glittering prizes: 106JACKfm Oxfordshire took the Gold for not only Station Imaging Award, but also Presenter of the Year (under 2 million TSA) with a stellar performance by Trevor Marshall and Caroline Verdon.

No one was surprised when The Bay’s Robin Duff won the Gold award for Unsung Hero of the Year, for his work during Storm Desmond. The Bay also took home the Silver Award in the Social Action Initiative for The Bay Action Desk’s sterling efforts for the local community in its hour of need.

Jess Glynne was awarded the PPL Breakthrough UK Artist of the Year Award, while Ed Sheeran won the PPL Most Played Artist on Commercial Radio. Global’s Stephen Miron took the inaugural Arqiva Industry Leader of the Year Award and broadcasting stalwart Gillian Reynolds was presented with the 2016 Arqiva Lifetime Achievement Award.

Siobhan Kenny, CEO of Radiocentre, says: “huge congratulations to all our Gold, Silver and Bronze winners this evening. The Arqivas came of age tonight. As the media landscape grows increasingly complex, commercial radio not only remains but goes from strength to strength, producing compelling content, curated by DJs and presenters who are trusted by legions of listeners. Everyone here tonight should be very proud.”

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