AND THE 2017 WINNERS ARE ...

Outstanding coverage of Donald Trump's election, the fallout from the EU Referendum and justice for the Hillsborough families has been recognised at this year's IRN Awards in association with Sky News, celebrating commercial radio journalism.
 
talkRADIO's 'US Election Special' won the highly competitive Best News Special or Feature prize with judges describing it as a 'fast-paced, informative and gripping' take on the event which 'captured the excitement and drama of the night.'
 
Radio City 2 and Radio City Talk were awarded 'Best Interview' for their 'engaging and emotive' broadcast about Steve Kelly, a Hillsborough survivor whose brother died in the 1989 disaster. The interview documented his daily struggle to come to terms with the tragedy and the monotony of travelling to and from the inquests in Warrington every day for two years.
 
The IRN Awards were held at the brand new Sky Cinema in the flagship Sky Central building at the company's HQ in west London. The event was hosted by Sky News Sunrise presenter Sarah-Jane Mee in front of an audience of 200. To view the photos click here.
 
Global's Newsroom Wales was named 'News Team of the Year' with a TSA of over 1 million for an impressive third time in four years. The judging panel said the team 'showcased investigative journalism, responsible and well-scripted reporting, creativity and a large dose of fun.' There was also a familiar winner in the News Team with a TSA of under 1 million category as Radio Aire made it three victories in four years too. The Leeds-based team was praised for its 'superb handling of a breaking news story' all backed up with 'in-depth coverage online.'
 
There was double success for Radio Clyde in Glasgow. The station's reporting of the Scottish Cup Final, and its unsavoury aftermath, earned it the prize for 'Best Sports Coverage.' According to the the judges the team brought 'brilliant journalistic rigour to a fast developing story' and the coverage was 'packed with pace and drama.' Linda Sinclair was named 'Reporter of the Year' in a hotly contested category. Sinclair was described as a 'fine all-round reporter with an authoritative but accessible style' and someone who was 'serious when necessary but not afraid to be light-hearted.'
 
Patrick Hildred from the University of Sheffield won the Student Journalist of the Year award for producing what the judges called 'a professional documentary' about the tensions of the Brexit debate in Boston, the most Eurosceptic town in UK . They said it was a 'stunning piece of work' which was 'arresting, informative and balanced.'
 
Virgin Radio and talkSPORT's Robyn Schonhofer was the 'Newsreader of the Year' in the 'over 1m TSA' category. Her delivery is 'natural, clear and very relatable,' with the judges impressed by her 'variation in tone and style.' In the 'under 1m TSA' category, Chris Hubbard from BOB fm Hertfordshire was the winner and commended for delivering creative and ambitious bulletins and knowing how to connect with his listeners.
 
The winner of the 'Newcomer of the Year' trophy was Rosie Wright from Premier Christian Radio whose 'clear-eyed reporting, creative presentation and mature handling of the most challenging situations' made her stand out. She reported on immigration from the Calais Jungle and judges pinpointed her energy, enthusiasm and the ability to bring out the best in people.
 
Global Radio's Entertainment Team reclaimed the showbiz award for its coverage of the death of George Michael. It was described as 'sensitive and emotive’ with the reporter using 'personal anecdotes and memories to give a unique perspective of a huge story which was dominating the headlines.'
 
The final presentation of the evening was made to Global's Group Head of News and Managing Editor of LBC, James Rea who was honoured with the IRN Gold Award for his outstanding contribution to commercial radio.
 
James has spent more than 20 years in the industry having started his career on Teesside at the age of 16. He was a news editor three years later and went on to lead the Guardian's radio news operations, setting up newsrooms across the country.
 
He joined Global just over five years ago and has been pivotal in the growth of LBC which now has its biggest audience ever.
 
Presenting the award, LBC presenter Nick Ferrari said: "Under his stewardship, the station doesn't just follow the news agenda. Headline after headline is made in the LBC studios, dominating the press and news channels. It's talked about in Parliament. James has even added to the scandal of MPs' second jobs, putting politicians like Nick Clegg, Boris Johnson, Sadiq Khan, Alex Salmond and now Nigel Farage on the LBC presenter line-up.
 
"Backed up by Global's newsrooms across the country, James has made LBC a force to be reckoned with."
 
Commenting on the awards, IRN and Sky News Radio Editor Dave Terris said:
"It's getting harder to win an award because the ambition and quality of the entries continues to excel. Although the winners are rightly commended for the exceptional standard of their work, it's important to recognise the breadth of talent, the desire to be distinct and the journalistic rigour that exists in our industry. At a time when competition for audiences on all platforms is fierce, it is encouraging to hear that commercial radio news continues to deliver an outstanding service to its millions of listeners."
 
IRN Managing Director, Tim Molloy said:
"Congratulations to all the winners who stood out amongst an already high standard of entries this year. Recent research from Ofcom has shown how important local news is to listeners and the IRN Awards aims to encourage and recognise the very best of radio journalism."
 
The winners list in full:
 
IRN Gold Award
James Rea
 
News Team of the Year (Over 1m TSA)
Global's Newsroom Wales
 
News Team of the Year (Under 1m TSA)
Radio Aire News
 
Best News Special or Feature
US Election Special - talkRADIO
 
Reporter of the Year
Linda Sinclair - Clyde 1 & Clyde 2
 
Best Sports Coverage
Scottish Cup Final 2016: Heroes and Hooligans - Clyde 1
 
Best Entertainment Story
The Death of George Michael - Global Radio's Entertainment Team
 
Best Interview
Steve Kelly: My Hillsborough Journey - Radio City 2 and Radio City Talk
 
Newsreader of the Year (Over 1m TSA)
Robyn Schonhofer - talkSPORT & Virgin Radio
 
Newsreader of the Year (Under 1m TSA)
Chris Hubbard - BOB fm Hertfordshire
 
Newcomer of the Year
Rosie Wright - Premier Christian Radio
 
Student Journalist of the Year - Supported by the BJTC
Patrick Hildred - University of Sheffield

2017 Nominations Revealed

Celebrating the talent, quality and authority in commercial radio news, the Awards recognise the efforts of journalists who provide comprehensive local, national and international news coverage to millions of listeners every day.
 
With the competition fiercer than ever, the number of nominees has increased to five per category and the winners will be revealed at Sky’s flagship building ‘Sky Central’ in west London on Thursday 23rd March in a ceremony hosted by Sky News Sunrise presenter Sarah-Jane Mee.
 
The coveted Gold Award, which recognises an outstanding contribution to the commercial radio industry, will also be presented at the event.
 
The 2017 nominees are:
 
Newcomer of the Year 
Phil McDonald - Northsound 
Charlotte Gay - Global's Newsroom West 
Rosie Wright - Premier Christian Radio 
Hope Webb - Forth 1 & Forth 2 
Rosanna Austin - Radio Aire
 
Best Sports Coverage 
Dare to Dream: Northern Ireland Euro 2016 Journey - Downtown Radio & Cool FM 
Rio 2016: Team Yorkshire - Radio Yorkshire 
Scottish Cup Final 2016: Heroes and Hooligans - Clyde 1 
Pulse 2: Matchday LIVE - Pulse 2 
Euro 2016: The Pride of the Dragon - Global's Newsroom Wales
 
Best News Special or Feature 
Leeds Over the Limit - Radio Aire
The Manchester Bomb - Key 103 
US Election Special - talkRADIO 
Dunblane 20 Years On - Clyde 1 & Clyde 2 
Justice for Joseph - Key 103
 
Best Interview 
Vicky Murray - West FM & Westsound 
Lorraine's Life Sentence - Stray FM 
Stoke-on-Trent Imam Condemns Terror Attacks - Signal 1 & Signal 2 
Lorry Accident: A Widow's Love and Forgiveness - Clyde 1 & Clyde 2 
Steve Kelly: My Hillsborough Journey - Radio City 2 & Radio City Talk

Student Journalist of the Year - supported by the BJTC 
Carlie Foster - University of Salford 
Patrick Hildred - University of Sheffield 
Mariana Des Forges - Goldsmiths, University of London 
Kait Borsay - University of Westminster 
Al Riddell - Goldsmiths, University of London
 
Reporter of the Year 
Charlotte Gay - Global's Newsroom West 
Hope Webb - Forth 1 & Forth 2 
Martin Lindsay - Global's Newsroom North East 
Linda Sinclair - Clyde 1 & Clyde 2 
Connor Gillies - Global's Newsroom Scotland 

Newsreader of the Year for stations or hubs with a TSA of under one million 
Matt Soanes - Lincs FM 
Chris Hubbard - BOB fm Hertfordshire 
Janine Hindle - 2BR 
Vicky Murray - West FM & Westsound 
Phil Munns - Dee 106.3 and Silk 106.9
 
Newsreader of the Year for stations or hubs with a TSA of over one million 
Naomi Holland - Downtown Radio & Cool FM 
Katy White - Gem 106 
Tim John - Capital FM 
Robyn Schonhofer - talkSPORT & Virgin Radio 
Chris Holdsworth - 107.4 Tower FM, 107.2 Wire FM & 102.4 Wish FM
 
News Team of the Year with a TSA of under one million 
Free Radio Herefordshire & Worcestershire 
Radio Aire News 
Pulse 1 & Pulse 2 News Team 
JACK fm Oxfordshire 
Radio Borders

News Team of the Year with a TSA of over one million
Global's Newsroom Midlands 
Radio City News 
Global's Newsroom Wales 
Downtown Radio & Cool FM News Team 
Global's Newsroom Scotland
 
IRN Editor and Chair of Judges Dave Terris said:
Once again, the response has been phenomenal which has meant some tough calls for the judges. Increasing the number of nominees to five is a reflection of the quality and enterprise of news teams across the UK as the battle to be distinct intensifies. It makes for a cracking event on March 23rd.
 
IRN Managing Director Tim Molloy said: 
Thank you to everyone who entered this year and commiserations if your entry didn’t make the shortlists. As always it has been difficult to whittle the entries down but we hope by now having five nominees per category we can recognise and encourage more radio news talent than before. Please do join us on the day even if you haven’t been nominated.
​