The list of nominees for this year’s Radio Production Awards are out, including for the new Grassroots Award.
The nominations include entries from 26 different indies, 12 from the BBC and 10 from commercial radio.
The 18 award categories include Best Newcomer, Best Music Entertainment Producer, Producer of the Year, Production Hero Award and the Gold Award.
This year features for the first time categories for Presenter Hero (someone who has worked hard with their team to create – or save – a show), Best Nations & Regions Producer, and Best Grassroots Production, which recognises extraordinary achievement in identifying, nurturing or mentoring new and diverse talent to the radio and audio industry.
There are several nominations for community radio stations, including Resonance FM, Siren FM (based at the University of Lincoln) and 107 Meridian FM (East Grinstead, West Sussex).
RPAs judge Denis Nowlan, Head of Station Management for BBC Radios 3, 4, and 4 Extra, said: “I’ve heard impressive radio, much of it made with slender resources. There are great examples of production teams opening up this wonderful medium to people whose voices are rarely heard.”
Shine Media’s Joanna Abeyie, also an RPAs judge, said: “RIG should be incredibly proud of the Grassroots category. It was extremely refreshing to see those with a disability and from low socio-economic backgrounds using radio to tell stories from their community. I was pleased they had the confidence to show off all they’ve achieved”.
RIG Managing Director Will Jackson said: “The RPAs is the major radio awards ceremony of this year and its continuing evolution, demonstrated by three new categories, keeps pace with our dynamic sector. It’s great to see a strong showing by the BBC, commercial radio and a wide range of indies from around the UK. The Grassroots element promotes diversity at a time when our industry is rightly being asked to do more to encourage it, as we are also doing via our RIGtrain mentoring scheme.”
See the full list of nominees here.
