Audio Content Fund

Four more projects awarded Coronavirus Support funding

Reform radio to bring together younger and older generations for nightly calls
Magic Radio and Greatest Hits Radio to celebrate keyworkers in daily bulletins
Comedy for XS Manchester, and support for new secondary schoolers on Fun Kids
22 projects now funded, more than £333k awarded, with one week to deadline

The Audio Content Fund has today announced the latest grants to be awarded in its special funding round to support audiences during Coronavirus restrictions, which closes in a week.

The fund, which is financed by the UK Government, launched a special rolling round last month following discussions between Radiocentre, AudioUK, and DCMS. Its allocated budget was recently increased to a maximum of £400,000, and this latest content brings to 22 the total number of projects funded, with £333,592 now awarded.

From amongst the latest successful projects, social enterprise Reform Radio will bring two generations together for regular phone calls, to share stories, concerns, and support each other during isolation. In BUDDYLINE, over-60s and under-28s that wouldn’t normally meet will get to know each other remotely, and the recordings will be shared with listeners on community stations across the North of England.

Meanwhile, Magic Radio and Greatest Hits Radio will join forces to broadcast the series
ESSENTIAL VOICES, a series of powerful, emotional, revealing short stories, shining a light on keyworkers around the country. The content will be produced by TBI Media, and will aim to bring a human perspective to a national crisis, offering listeners a completely unique view of the individuals who are keeping the country going.

Continuing their celebration of the musical heritage of their city, XS Manchester will broadcast new daily comedy-drama THE MANCHESTER ADVENTURES OF BRIAN HOVIS, transforming the empty streets of the ten boroughs into a thrilling virtual adventure for a hapless treasure hunter. Produced by Low Fat Radio, written by Hywel Evans and Russell Gomer, performed by Ian Conningham, the serial will broadcast for three weeks from today.

Finally, Fun Kids will broadcast special programming targeted at Year 6 pupils about to transition to secondary school without the usual preparation of induction days, and amid the risk of having to say goodbye to their primary schools remotely. STEP UP will talk to children from a variety of backgrounds and provide support during a challenging life change for young listeners, and will be produced by the Sound Communities CIC.

All projects will be produced safely and in-line with government guidelines, and most will start broadcasting in the next two weeks.

The special funding round remains open for one more week. The deadline for bids is 11^th May at 10am, and ideas will be reviewed by the funding panel within two weeks, with funding for selected ideas made available promptly and upfront.

The Manchester Adventure of Brian Hovis – Low Fat Radio Ltd, for XS Manchester
15x 3min, broadcast twice a day for 3 weeks. FM and DAB in Manchester, starting 4 May

A comedy adventure transforming the empty streets of Manchester into a thrilling adventure for a hapless treasure hunter who perhaps might just save the world. Brian Hovis is like Indiana Jones… if Indiana Jones was hopeless. His quest? To find something called the ’Supernova Champagne Beer’ – that somehow brings happiness to all who taste even the tiniest drop. The story will take place in lockdown Manchester, bringing a sense of magic invention to currently quiet but recognisable places

Essential Voices – TBI Media Ltd, for Magic Radio and Greatest Hits Radio
42x 1min, broadcast daily for 6 weeks. FM and DAB Networks, starting 18 May

A powerful series of short features that give key workers, of all kinds, a platform to talk about the work they do. In doing that we shine a light, in a highly engaging way, on the impact of COVID-19 on their lives. These packages will bring a human perspective to a national crisis, offering listeners a completely unique view of the individuals who are keeping the country going. Broadcast in a prominent spot, the stories will be emotional, revealing, but ultimately uplifting, celebrating the best that humanity has to offer.

BuddyLine – Reform Radio CIC, for Salford City Radio, Sheffield Live 93.2, Canalside Radio 102.8, Wythenshawe FM, North Manchester FM, Bolton FM, and on offer to other stations that may be interested to broadcast it
20x 10min, broadcast in various patterns. Local FM stations, starting 18 May

A series of intergenerational telephone conversations between people from the Sonder Radio Community of over 60s and the Reform Radio Community of under 28s. Through honest conversations, our listeners enter into an intimate and genuine meeting between two people who would not otherwise interact in everyday society. We will match people with stories that will enlighten both the listeners and each other, and demonstrate that isolation does not have to be isolating, and can create long-lasting friendships.

Step Up – Sound Communities CIC, for Fun Kids
60x 3min, broadcast 4 times a day for 8 weeks. DAB Station, starting 29 June 2020

A team of emerging young producers will create 60 playful, supportive and informative content vignettes to support young listeners facing the challenge of transitioning into secondary school at this challenging time. These young people will be from some of the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods in the UK and from groups often described as “hard to reach”, bringing the voices and experiences of young people who are not well represented or able to have their voice heard