2025 Winners & Judges Comments
News Team of the Year (Over 1.5m TSA) - Hits Radio North East News - Bauer Media Audio
A station that demonstrates pride in its region and a knowledge of what’s important to its audience, mainly by going out and listening to them. Confident presentation and an ability to handle breaking news as well as the set-pieces -alongside some excellent campaigning- made this the stand-out winner.
A station that demonstrates pride in its region and a knowledge of what’s important to its audience, mainly by going out and listening to them. Confident presentation and an ability to handle breaking news as well as the set-pieces -alongside some excellent campaigning- made this the stand-out winner.
News Team of the Year (Under 1.5m TSA) - Forth 1 News Team - Bauer Media Audio
This entry was all about quality journalism, creative treatments, impactful audio and sparkling writing, all presented in a smart and engaging way. Whether tackling important political stories or reporting on visiting pop stars, the judges felt this news team worked really hard to capture the moment, explain what’s happening and ask the right questions.
Best News Story or Coverage - Southport Stabbings - Global’s Newsroom North West
“This was high impact, heartbreaking. storytelling on one of the most distressing stories of the year. The reporting came from the heart of the community, combining exclusive interviews with those close to the story and powerful description of events and their impact. A job well done, bringing the audience the full impact of the tragedy and its aftermath”.
Specialist Reporter of the Year - Georgie Prodromou - Bauer Media Audio
Georgie Prodromou is a worthy winner of the inaugural Specialist Reporter of the Year award, not least since she is Bauer’s first member of the Lobby, where she leads parliamentary coverage for the Bauer’s network of stations. Listening to her entry it is clear that Georgie makes politics relatable to her audience, whether in her interviews with Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak during the election campaign, or when joining Jordan and Perri in the Kiss FM Breakfast studio on the morning of the General Election result, or on location amidst protesters, and not least whilst pressing a minister over the removal of the winter fuel allowance for pensioners.
Georgie Prodromou is a worthy winner of the inaugural Specialist Reporter of the Year award, not least since she is Bauer’s first member of the Lobby, where she leads parliamentary coverage for the Bauer’s network of stations. Listening to her entry it is clear that Georgie makes politics relatable to her audience, whether in her interviews with Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak during the election campaign, or when joining Jordan and Perri in the Kiss FM Breakfast studio on the morning of the General Election result, or on location amidst protesters, and not least whilst pressing a minister over the removal of the winter fuel allowance for pensioners.
Reporter of the Year (National) - Henry Riley - LBC and LBC News
A reporter who brings incredible flair and energy to their work. It was obvious that Henry knows his medium and has a brilliant knack of bringing stories alive. His interview with veterans after Rishi Sunak left D-Day commemorations was stand out.
Reporter of the Year (Regional) - Chris Chambers, Global's Newsroom North West
A versatile reporter who fearlessly covered a wide range of stories, from crime and hard-hitting content to politics and entertainment. His authentic and engaging delivery kept listeners captivated, while his sharp interviewing skills tackled even the most challenging subjects with depth and integrity. His entry demonstrated an excellent example of original journalism which was developed with good follow-ups.
Best Sports Coverage - The Life and Legacy of Rob Burrow - Greatest Hits Radio, Bauer Media Audio
The team showed ownership of the story with a range of strong interviews and powerful story telling. The audio is compelling with important questions asked and emotional responses. Good use of colour, commentary, and reporting on the story of Rob’s condition and death - a fantastic listen.
Best News Special - Mass Graves - Chris Chambers, Global's Newsroom North West
A heart-wrenching piece of journalism that began as a local story and turned into a national scandal. Chris’s investigation shone a light on an abhorrent practice which shockingly is still affecting families to this day. No listener could fail to be moved by the powerful testimonies of Chris’s case studies.
Best Interview - Red Rooms - Global’s Newsroom North West
With his interview with a young woman who was raped and tortured in the most horrific ways, Chris Chambers exposes the existence of red rooms, the gangs behind them and how it seems victim blaming in the establishment enables the most unthinkable kinds of exploitation of vulnerable young people. This original journalism weaves together a complex picture, drawing together an eye-opening, traumatic personal account, criminal activity, failures in the system and the technology that enables such dark places of abuse to exist.
With his interview with a young woman who was raped and tortured in the most horrific ways, Chris Chambers exposes the existence of red rooms, the gangs behind them and how it seems victim blaming in the establishment enables the most unthinkable kinds of exploitation of vulnerable young people. This original journalism weaves together a complex picture, drawing together an eye-opening, traumatic personal account, criminal activity, failures in the system and the technology that enables such dark places of abuse to exist.
Newsreader of the Year (National) - Alice Young, Global's Newsroom London
The judges thought Alice was a first class newsreader. Her voice is warm, bright and clear. Her use of audio within her bulletins shows great creative flair and pace. She has excellent intonation and modulates her tone very well for different stories and stations, making her incredibly easy to listen to. A worthy winner.
The judges thought Alice was a first class newsreader. Her voice is warm, bright and clear. Her use of audio within her bulletins shows great creative flair and pace. She has excellent intonation and modulates her tone very well for different stories and stations, making her incredibly easy to listen to. A worthy winner.
Newsreader of the Year (Regional) - Micky Welch - Hits Radio North East, Bauer Media Audio
Micky is an impressive, creative, engaging newsreader. He knows his target audience and delivers relatable bulletins with power and punch. His natural presentation flows seamlessly from story to story. A mix of authority and confidence alongside a flair for presentation makes for compelling bulletins. He is at the top of his game when choosing standout audio and knows how to grab the listener by the ear.
Newcomer of the Year - Bronwen Weatherby - Global's Newsroom Wales
She oozes original journalism and finds local angles on national stories while also being a rigorous live interviewer – her exclusives set her apart from other candidates and get good pick up. Her use of sound and editing is professional standard- bringing the audience right with her at the closure of the TATA blast furnace. Her case studies are very strong, and a fun touch proves she can mix her tone.
Student Journalist of the Year - Ellie Hayns - The University of Salford
Genuinely innovative production, brilliant use of sound, superb story-telling, immaculately – and sometimes surprisingly – chosen interviewees and an unflinchingly personal approach combined to deliver something truly thought-provoking and even profound. It helped us to understand an issue that is much talked about but still not widely understood in a clever, engaging, effective and powerful way. The standout piece in a tremendously strong field. First class.