Riverside Radio Wins Digital Station of the Year

As three presenters are chosen to host Christmas shows on BBC Radio 1


The Riverside Radio team

Wandsworth-based Riverside Radio, which broadcasts to the boroughs of Wandsworth, Merton Richmond and Lambeth, has been recognised at the 2020 Community Radio Awards.

The gold award for Digital Station of the Year was presented to Riverside Radio volunteers during a virtual ceremony which recognised those producing high quality content and engaging with their communities.

Managing Director Jason Rosam, said, “I am thrilled for the volunteers at Riverside Radio who’ve worked so hard in this tough year serving the people of Richmond, Wandsworth, Merton and Lambeth with uplifting content celebrating the very best part of London.

“It’s been an extraordinary year at Riverside Radio as we sprung into action to help other community organisations put on their events virtually and highlighted the amazing work of local charities, organisations and individuals who went the extra mile to help their communities in lockdown.”

Martin Steers, Community Radio Awards chair, said: “The awards showcase and celebrate the fantastic activity of community radio and what it does for the communities it serves. This year has been incredibly challenging, and stations like Riverside Radio have proven their value at the heart of their local areas.”

The award comes as three former Riverside Radio presenters are chosen to host shows on BBC Radio 1 this Christmas. Every year from Boxing Day until New Year’s Day, Radio 1 showcases the best in new and emerging talent by giving new DJs and presenters a once in a lifetime opportunity to broadcast on the UK’s biggest youth radio station.

Instead of Radio 1 Breakfast with Greg James, listeners will be waking up with Riverside Radio’s Robyn Richford who said, "I'm absolutely BUZZING to be let loose on Radio 1 - let's say goodbye to 2020 with a bang."

Riverside’s Robyn Richford gets to present the BBC Radio 1 breakfast show.

Riverside’s Robyn Richford

28-year-old Dean McCullogh has been handed the Radio 1 mid-morning slot over the festive period while Akylah Rodriguez, who moved to join the Armed Forces radio station BFBS in Cyprus, will be presenting a special Christmas Day show giving troops the opportunity to send Christmas messages to their families and friends back home in the UK.

Rosam, who also presents the early breakfast show across the BBC Local Radio network, added, “We saw a huge rise in people tuning in to listen to Riverside Radio during the first lockdown and audience engagement has continued to escalate through the year as we launched on DAB Digital Radio in the summer.”

You can ‘Switch on SW London’ online at RiversideRadio.com, scroll along to find the station on your DAB Digital Radio in your car or at home and also by asking your smart speakers to ‘Play Riverside Radio’.

December 22, 2020