UK Radio Indies take New York International Festival Awards by storm

UK Independent radio production companies showed their ability to successful compete with content producers from around the globe at the New York Festival International Radio Awards.

Indies had received 25 nominations in the awards, constituting over 50% of nominations for categories for which they were eligible.

UK radio indie TBI Media, founded by RIG Chair Phil Critchlow, won a total of 10 awards, including the special ‘Indie of the Year’ Award, plus it scooped one of only two Grand Awards given this year for the one‐off live special ‘Titanic: Minute by Minute’. TBI picked up a further four Gold awards, three Silvers and a Bronze.

Other Gold‐winning indie productions included Somethin’ Else’s ‘A Leap of Faith’ and Wise Buddah Creative’s ‘The People’s Mujahedin’. Wise Buddah Creative picked up a further two Bronze awards, while sister company Wise Buddah Jingles picked up two Golds for Best Sound and Best Programme ID, plus a Silver for Station ID. USP Content received two awards, whilst Ten Alps, Folded Wing, Phantom Productions, Wright Communicators and Somethin’ Else allpicked up an award each.

Phil Critchlow, founder of TBI Media and Chair of RIG, said: “These awards prove that UK radio indies can compete with programme makers from around the world. Along with our strong performance in last month’s Sony Radio Academy Awards, it demonstrates the potential of this industry to grow even bigger over the next few years if we’re able to work fully with the BBC and others to maximise our potential”.

Independent radio suppliers are now calling for the BBC Trust to take a closer look at results like these, and for it to consider as a matter of priority whether Licence Fee payers could benefit more fully from this quality of innovation and delivery, by opening up more of the BBC’s production to outside suppliers.

Currently only up to 20% of ‘eligible hours’ of is commissioned by BBC Radio against competition from external companies, compared with up to 50% in TV.

*** For press enquiries please contact Tim Wilson, RIG media and policy adviser, on 07909 560 374 or tim at twcentral.co.uk 

Notes 

1.  The Radio Independents Group (RIG) is the trade body representing the UK independent radio production sector. The sector is made up of approximately 150 creative companies, spread around the whole of the UK. RIG members represent around 95% of industry turnover, which we estimate as a whole to be some £40m. These creative companies make radio content for commercial networks as well as BBC networks. They also are engaged in producing a variety of other content for corporate clients, as well as overseas networks and companies. Audiobooks, podcasts, museum audio‐guides, audio games and other multimedia formats. It is estimated the sector employs well over 1,000 people, mostly in skilled production roles.

2.  The New York Radio Festival International Radio Awards are competed for by radio producers from all over the globe, and thus represent the highest possible accolades for radio production. The Awards are chosen by an international Grand Jury made up of radio professionals, details of which can be found here: https://www.newyorkfestivals.com/main.php?p=2,7#judges 

New York International Festival Winners –