It’s been a rocky year for radio and for a couple of my favourite internet stations in particular. After a very promising start, Wight FM appears to have all but disappeared down the tubes, while multi-genre Play Radio UK has ditched its live output in order to prop up costly new FM services in Southampton and Winchester. On the other hand though, SunTalk sounds to me like it’s going from strength to strength.
The online radio revolution gathers yet more pace this week with news that The Sun is to launch its own talk radio channel in April. Sun Talk is part of a £1m investment in video & radio services at News International’s best-selling daily tabloid and headlining the schedule will be former Talk Sport presenter, Sun columnist and general tub-thumper of the parish, Jon Gaunt. Now, while some will be quick to dismiss the venture as either a marketing ploy or perhaps an attempt at breathing new life into Gaunt’s colourful radio career, I think this could mark the start of a bold new synergy between print and radio that may end up posing a significant challenge to traditional broadcast outlets.
The media press today is full of news about Jon Gaunt’s sacking from national talk station Talk Sport. In a nutshell, during an interview on air about Redbrige Council’s plans to ban placing foster children with parents who smoke (indoors, outdoors or anywhere else for that matter), Gaunt called the council official "a nazi". All hell broke loose and the station received 48 complaints. Yes, 48 complaints from a recorded audience of around 2.5 million.