The Radio Academy is a registered charity that is dedicated to 'the encouragement, recognition and promotion of excellence in UK broadcasting and audio production'.[1]
The Radio Academy was formed in 1983 and is run via a board of trustees. John Myers will take up his role of Chief Executive in April 2011.[2][3] Bob Shennan, Controller of BBC Radio 2 and BBC 6 Music, is the Chair.[3]
The Telegraph recently labelled The Academy "the industry's most powerful body".[4]
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The Radio Academy runs a range of conferences throughout the year. The biggest is the annual Radio Festival.[5] Others events concern music radio and speech radio,[6] whilst the Radio Academy Branches regularly hold their own local events across the country.[7] The Academy also runs regular "Masterclasses" for young people who would like to work in radio.[8]
The UK's most prestigious radio industry awards, the Sony Radio Academy Awards are supported by the Radio Academy. Often referred to as 'the Sony Awards' (after their principal sponsor), the awards celebrate everything from the biggest and best national radio shows to small shows by local stations.
The first ceremony took place in the spring of 1983, at a time when there were just 35 commercial radio stations and 4 BBC Networks. Among the first Gold winners were Terry Wogan and Sue MacGregor, Radio Clyde’s Richard Park and Radio City’s Clive Tyldesley.
Since then, radio services have evolved significantly and continue to do so across commercial radio, BBC radio, community radio, internet radio and other digital platforms.
Each year, entries are submitted into the Awards for consideration as Gold, Silver or Bronze winners. It’s a process that continues to recognise the creative talents of journalists, writers, producers, performers and broadcasters, covering the wealth of UK radio output from speech and drama through to news, comedy and of course music. Reflecting the triumphs and developments of the current radio landscape, the Awards also aim to identify future leading practitioners and celebrate lifetime contributions.[9]
The following are members of the Academy's Hall of Fame:[11]
The following are fellows of the Radio Academy[12]
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The following are Patrons of the Radio Academy[13]
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