News UK To Launch Times Radio
News UK has announced plans for the launch of Times Radio, a new digital radio station in partnership between The Times, The Sunday Times and Wireless.
Launching later this year, Times Radio will be available on DAB, online and via app and smart speakers. The station will be ad break free, with commercial opportunities for sponsors across the schedule.
Times Radio will provide a daily schedule of news, analysis and commentary with a line-up of high profile presenters, as well as contributions from The Times and The Sunday Times.
News UK chief executive Rebekah Brooks said: “We acquired Wireless in 2016 with a clear ambition to bring their audio expertise to our newsbrands. The Times and The Sunday Times deliver world-class journalism to a substantial and highly engaged audience and Times Radio will create a new speech radio outlet to reach an even broader audience who want quality reporting and trusted, expert commentary in real time.”
John Witherow, editor of The Times, said: “Times Radio will provide provocative, well-informed, entertaining and useful discussion covering the key stories of the day, and informing the national conversation. Times Radio, infused with our world-class journalism, will be the perfect complement to our print and online offer.”
Tim Levell has been announced as programme director for Times Radio. Tim has 25 years’ experience in radio and TV, including programming BBC Radio 5 Live’s evening and overnight schedule, editing both Newsround and Blue Peter, and producing at Sky News.
Wireless chief executive Scott Taunton, said: “Since Wireless joined the News UK family, we have been working more and more collaboratively with The Times, lending our radio and podcasting expertise to develop an audio strategy for one of the world’s pre-eminent newsbrands.
“Last week we announced the launch of a new podcast series – Stories of Our Times – and I’m delighted that with Times Radio we will be investing in a major, high quality new voice for news and current affairs on digital radio, online, on app and smart speakers.”