The nominations for the annual Sony Radio Academy Awards, the UK’s most prestigious and coveted radio awards, were announced today via a live webcast presented by KISS Breakfast’s 2012 Sony Gold winners, Rickie, Melvin & Charlie. The 31st Sony Radio Academy Awards takes place on 13th May at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel, hosted by Chris Evans.The Radio Academy will shortly be announcing some superstar live performances for the Awards night. 

Radio hit the gold standard in its coverage of what was a landmark year, with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee followed by the massive success of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.  This is reflected in the 10 nominations for Radio 5 live, including the blue riband UK Station of the Year, which is also contested by the digital station BBC Asian Network, just two years after it was threatened with closure, and niche music station Classic FM.   For Classic FM, last year’s ‘Special Award’ winner, 2013 brings further sweet music with five nominations, including the new award category UK Radio Brand of the Year. 

The four top Station of the Year Awards see commercial radio dominating with a Station of the Year (under 300,000) tussle between KL.FM 96.7, National Prison Radio and Touch FM.Station of the Year (300,000 to 1 million) pits JACKfm Oxfordshire against BBC Tees and BBC Radio Humberside, while Fun Kids, Metro Radio and BBC Newcastle challenge for Station of the Year (1 million plus). UK Radio Brand of the Year is an all-commercial affair, between Classic FM, KISS and Smooth Radio UK. Best Station Imaging scores another nod for Classic FM, with tough competition coming from 106Jackfm (South Coast), BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 6 Music and the Capital FM network. 

Prison Radio Association continues its remarkable Sonys success and proves that quality will ‘breakout’, with an unprecedented triple nomination in Best Community Programming, one of which was made for and broadcast on BBC Radio 1Xtra.  Real Radio North West and Free Radio (Birmingham) will be fighting to ensure that the top honours are theirs.

Breakfast Show of the Year (10 million plus) has nominations for old adversaries, Absolute Radio’s Christian O’Connell, Radio 2’s Chris Evans and reigning champions KISS’s Rickie, Melvin & Charlie, with strong challenges also coming from Radio 4’s Today Programme and BBC Radio 3’s Breakfast.  Christian O’Connell’s Sony winning streak is impressive - could he be adding to his Sony trophy cabinet? He is the only presenter with three nominations, also challenging for Music Radio Personality of the Year and Best Use of Branded Content. 

Radio 1’s new breakfast show host, Nick Grimshaw, earns a debut Sony nomination for Best Use of Multiplatform. The broadcast muscle assembled for Music Radio Personality of the Year makes for a very tough contest between Radio 2’s Ken Bruce, Absolute Radio’s Christian O’Connell, Charlie Sloth from BBC Radio1 & 1Xtra, Lauren Laverne from 6 Music and Classic FM’s John Suchet.  Charlie Sloth also receives a nod for Best Entertainment Programme and 6 Music’s Lauren Laverne has a second nomination for Best Music Programme. 

The nominations for Best Entertainment Programme offer an intriguing tussle between new faces in radio and seasoned operators. In the former camp there’s 1Xtra’s Charlie Sloth, Kerrang! Radio’s Kate Lawler and Radio 1’s Greg James and looking to take on last year’s Beryl and Betty’s winning ways are the sprightly Geoff Lloyd’s Hometime Show for Absolute Radio and The Danny Baker Show, BBC Radio 5 live. 

The Best Music Programme sees two musicians taking on the ‘professional broadcasters’, with Jarvis Cocker for 6 Music and Absolute’s Ronnie Wood challenging multi-Sony winner Zane Lowe for Radio 1, Dermot O’Leary for Radio 2 and Lauren Laverne for 6 Music. 

Proving that you can’t keep a good man down, Radio 5 live’s Danny Baker makes his point to ex-employee Radio London with two nominations, including Speech Broadcaster of the Year, but will he be trounced by Boris Johnson’s nemesis Eddie Mair for Radio 4, or will Radio 5 Live’s Nicky Campbell and Victoria Derbyshire triumph? Or will the World Service have the last word with Stephen Sackur? 

Women make a strong challenge for the coveted Radio Journalism of the Year, with Radio 4’s Becky Milligan and Key 103’s Michelle Livesey, up against Jon Donnison for BBC Radio 4 and BBC World Service, Capital East Midlands News Team and the indomitable John Humphrys for BBC Radio 4. 

The team list for Best Sports Programme shows that the Olympics was not the only game in town last year, as talkSPORT’s Keys and Gray get a chance to defend their title against BBC Radio 5 live’s Not Just Cricket, Rugby Nation for Nation Radio, Radio Pembrokeshire, Radio Carmathenshire, Bridge FM and Nation Hits!, BBC Radio York’s Mary and the Minstermen and 5 live Olympics with Peter Allen and Colin Murray for BBC Radio 5 live. Best Coverage of a Live Event sees sport dominate the nominations list with talkSPORT and Radio 5 live teams on the pitch, but Radio 1’s Hackney Weekend makes a strong argument for a music win. 

UK radio is heralded as the best in the world, and its strength and depth of talented presenters is unique with thenames nominated this year reflecting this fact.  In addition to those already mentioned, there are nominations for Jamie Cullum (Radio 2), Nick Ferrari (LBC 97.3), Cerys Matthews (6 Music), Johnnie Walker (Radio 2), Mark Radcliffe and Stuart Maconie (6 Music). 

The Sony Radio Academy Awards are judged by industry and media professionals and are organised by The Radio Academy.  This year’s judges include Sky News’s Kay Burley, presenters Janet Ellis, Sarah Greene and John Inverdale, journalist Miranda Sawyer, EMI’s Andrea Vidler and Roxy Music’s Phil Manzanera. The judges are required to make their judgements based solely on the content of the entry submitted and not on any wider knowledge they may have.  One of the great strengths of the Sony Radio Academy Awards is that every level ofprofessional radio has an opportunity to shine. 

The Sony Golden Headphones Award is a new listeners’ choice award in which the listening public can vote for their favourite presenters at www.sonygoldenheadphones.com. Voting is open from 15th April to 10th May, with the winner announced at the Sony Radio Academy Awards on 13th May. 

John Myers, Chief Executive and Chairman of the Sony’s organising committee, said: “In 2012 radio proved that it’s an audio visual medium, as it conjured vivid pictures from its stunning coverage of those once-in-a-lifetime events.  This year’s nominations make me proud to be part of the UK radio industry; the sheer range of talent across stations of all shapes and sizes is inspiring.  I’m particularly delighted to see many new faces appearing amongst the nominations as these will ensure the continued vibrancy of an industry we are all so passionate about.” 

The 2013 Gold Award and Special Awards are in the gift of the Awards Committee and will be announced at the Ceremony on 13th May.

Breakfast Show of the Year (10 million plus)

Breakfast – BBC Radio 3

Chris Evans – BBC Radio 2

The Christian O’Connell Breakfast Show – Absolute Radio

KISS Breakfast with Rickie, Melvin & Charlie – KISS

Today Programme – BBC News for BBC Radio 4 

Breakfast Show of the Year (under 10 million)

The Andrew Peach Show – BBC Radio Berkshire

BBC Tees Breakfast – BBC Tees

Sam & Amy – Gem 106

Steve & Karen’s Breakfast Show – Metro Radio

Xfm Manchester Breakfast Show with Tim Cocker – Xfm Manchester 

Best Music Programme 

The Dermot O’Leary Show – Ora Et Labora for BBC Radio 2

Jarvis Cocker’s Sunday Service - BBC 6 Music

Lauren Laverne – BBC 6 Music

The Ronnie Wood Show – Somethin’ Else for Absolute Radio & Absolute Classic Rock

Zane Lowe – BBC Radio 1 

Best Entertainment Programme

Charlie Sloth – BBC Radio 1Xtra

The Danny Baker Show – Campbell Davison Media for BBC Radio 5 live

Geoff Lloyd’s Hometime Show – Absolute Radio

Greg James – BBC Radio 1

Kate Lawler – Kerrang! Radio 

Best Speech Programme

Alan Robson’s Nightowls – Metro Radio

Iain Dale – LBC 97.3

The JVS Show – BBC Three Counties Radio

The Listening Project – BBC Radio Documentaries with BBC English Regions & BBC Nations for BBC Radio 4

Witness – BBC News for BBC World Service 

Best Sports Programme

5 live Olympics with Peter Allen and Colin Murray – BBC Radio 5 live

Keys & Gray – talkSPORT

Mary and the Minstermen – BBC Radio York

Not Just Cricket – TBI Media for BBC Radio 5 live

Rugby Nation - Town and Country Broadcasting for Nation Radio, Radio Pembrokeshire, Radio Carmarthenshire, Bridge FM and Nation Hits!

Best News & Current Affairs Programme 

BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat – BBC News for BBC Radio 1

File on 4 – BBC Radio Current Affairs for BBC Radio 4

Newshour – BBC World Service News for Current Affairs for BBC World Service

Nick Ferrari at Breakfast – LBC 97.3

The Nolan Show – BBC Radio Ulster 

Best Coverage of a Live Event 

Hillsborough: Truth and Justice – BBC Radio Merseyside

Judgement Sunday – Final Day of Premier League (Matchday Live) – talkSPORT

London 2012 : The Olympic & Paralympic Games -  BBC Radio 5 live

Paralympic Sportsworld – BBC Sport for BBC World Service

Radio 1’s Hackney Weekend – BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra 

Best Community Programming

Ciaran’s Cause – Real Radio North West

Crossroads – PRA Productions for BBC Radio 1Xtra

Make a Clean Break – Prison Radio Association for National Prison Radio

Walk for Harry – Free Radio (Birmingham)

Word Up – Prison Radio Association for National Prison Radio 

Music Radio Personality of the Year

Charlie Sloth – BBC Radio 1 & 1Xtra

Christian O’Connell – Absolute Radio

John Suchet – Classic FM

Ken Bruce – BBC Radio 2

Lauren Laverne – BBC 6 Music 

Music Radio Broadcaster of the Year  

Cerys on 6 – BBC 6 Music

Jamie Cullum – Folded Wing for BBC Radio 2

Johnnie Walker – Wise Buddah Creative for BBC Radio 2

Mark Radcliffe & Stuart Maconie – Smooth Operations for BBC 6 Music

Suzy Klein – BBC Radio 3 & BBC Radio 4 

Speech Radio Broadcaster of the Year  

Danny Baker – Campbell Davison Media for BBC Radio 5 live

Eddie Mair – BBC Radio 4

Nicky Campbell – BBC Radio 5 live

Stephen Sackur – BBC News for BBC World Service

Victoria Derbyshire – BBC Radio 5 live 

Radio Journalism of the Year  

Becky Milligan – BBC Radio 4

Capital East Midlands News Team – Capital FM East Midlands

John Humphrys – BBC News for BBC Radio 4

Jon Donnison – BBC Radio 4 and BBC World Service

Michelle Livesey – Key 103 

Best Use of Branded Content

Classic FM's Tasting Notes paired with Laithwaite's Wine – Classic FM

The Christian O’Connell Breakfast Show with Wickes – Absolute Radio

Kerrang! Radio The Darkest Hour – Kerrang! Radio

Sky Bond - Absolute Radio – Absolute Radio

The World’s Largest Pub Quiz with Bells – LBC 1152 

Best Promotional/Advertising Campaign

BBC Radio 6 Music Celebrates Kraftwerk – BBC Radio 6 Music, BBC Radio 2 & BBC Radio 4

BBC Radio 6 Music Celebrates Punk Britannia - BBC Radio 6 Music, BBC Radio 2 & BBC Radio 4

Classic FM's More Music Breakfast Campaign – Classic FM

The Gothic Imagination - BBC Radio 4 & 4 Extra Presentation for BBC Radio 4

The Olympics - BBC Radio Xtrails, 5 live Station Sound, Fresh Air Production, BBC A&M, BBC Nations and Regions for BBC Radio 

Best Competition

500 Words – BBC Radio 2

Coca-Cola Fan Reporter – talkSPORT

Round Our Way on Xfm Manchester – Xfm Manchester

Talk To The Animals – Geoff Lloyd – Absolute Radio

Two Strangers Risk It For A Biscuit – Real Radio Scotland

Best Station Imaging

106 JACK fm (South Coast)

BBC Radio 2

BBC Radio 6 Music

Capital FM Network

Classic FM 

Best Music Feature or Documentary

6 Music Celebrates: 50 Years of the Cassette – BBC 6 Music

Black is a Country – Brook Lapping Productions for BBC Radio 4

Titanic: Minute by Minute – TBI Media (with BBC Drama) for BBC Radio 2

The Art of Garfunkel – BBC Radio 2

The Story of Ed Sheeran – BBC Radio 1 

Best News Feature or Documentary

Adventures of a Blue Badger – Alfi Media Ltd for BBC Radio 5 live

Assignment/Crossing Continents: Uzbekistan – BBC Radio Current Affairs for BBC Radio 4 & BBC World Service

Lawrence of Arabia – Man and Myth – Just Radio for BBC Radio 4

The Bombardment of Homs – BBC Radio Current Affairs for BBC World Service

The Left to Die Boat – BBC World Service 

Best Feature or Documentary

Belongings – TBI Media for BBC Radio 3

Bon Voyage – Julia Scott Productions for BBC World Service

Bruising Silence – Just Radio for BBC Radio 1

Dying Inside – Unique The Production Company for BBC Radio 4

Titanic: Minute by Minute – TBI Media (with BBC Drama) for BBC Radio 2 

Best Comedy

Isy Suttie: Pearl and Dave – BBC Radio Comedy for BBC Radio 4

John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme – BBC Radio Comedy for BBC Radio 4

Meera Syal's Asian Comedy Night - BBC Asian Network & Tonic Productions for BBC Asian Network

My Teenage Diary – Talkback (part of Freemantle Media UK) for BBC Radio 4

Richard Herring's Leicester Square Theatre Podcast - Fuzz Productions Ltd & Sky Potato Productions for British Comedy Guide 

Best Drama

Beryl: A Love Story on Two Wheels – Savvy for BBC Radio 4

Easter & Christmas Diaries – BBC Radio 4 & 4 Extra Presentation for BBC Radio 4 Extra 

The Grapes of Wrath – BBC Radio Scotland

My Boy – Somethin’ Else for BBC Radio 4

The Resistance of Mrs Brown – BBC Radio Drama London for BBC Radio 4 

Best Use of Multiplatform

InStream from Absolute Radio – Absolute Radio

Letter From America - BBC Radio 4/Audio and Music Interactive for BBC Radio 4 & BBC World Service

The Listening Project – BBC Radio 4 and BBC Nations & Regions

The Radio 1 Breakfast Show with Nick Grimshaw – BBC Radio 1

Radio 1’s Review Show – Somethin’ Else for BBC Radio 1 

Station of the Year (under 300,000)

KL.FM 96.7

National Prison Radio

Touch FM 

Station of the Year (300,000 to 1 million)

BBC Radio Humberside

BBC Tees

JACKfm Oxfordshire 

Station of the Year (1 million plus)

BBC Newcastle

Fun Kids

Metro Radio 

UK Station of the Year

BBC Asian Network

BBC Radio 5 live

Classic FM 

UK Radio Brand of the Year 

Classic FM

KISS

Smooth Radio UK