Insight Radio
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| Broadcast area | UK Wide |
|---|---|
| Frequency | FM: 101 MHz (in the Glasgow area) Freeview: 730 |
| First air date | 2003 |
| Format | News, Music, Blind News, Talking Newspapers, Audiobooks Talk |
| Owner | RNIB with other Stakeholders |
| Website | Official site |
Insight Radio is a British radio station that is part of Royal National Institute of Blind People and was Europe's first radio station for blind and partially sighted listeners. It broadcasts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week online, on 101 FM in the Glasgow area, and on Freeview channel 730. Live shows make up around half of the station's output, with the overnight schedule being used as a showcase for the best music, features, interviews and articles from the past few days. Most of the presenters are blind or visually impaired.
Although the station's main studios are based in Scotland, the station is for everyone in the UK and beyond, with many listeners in the USA and Canada. Other studios are in Edinburgh, Cardiff and London and more locations across the UK are planned for the very near future.
Contents
Midweek Schedule
Early Edition 7-10
Steven Scott and the team review the main pages of the day's newspapers, and discuss issues which directly affect the lives of blind and partially sighted people.[1]
Morning Mix 10-1
Simon Pauley invites you to a morning of chat and music, and relax with the daily Radio Play.[2]
Daily Lunch 1-3
Jill Daley and the team host a magazine-style show ranging from hard-hitting human interest stories, to more light-hearted lifestyle issues. Contributors and features include RNIB's publications, Cosmopolitan magazine and Emily Davison from fashioneyesta.com.[3]
Talking Books 3-4 (with a repeat just after 10pm)
Robert Kirkwood presents interviews, discussion and news about the world of audiobooks, along with the current book of the week. This show is repeated at 10pm and again at 3am. There's also a Talking Books podcast feed that features author interviews, short stories and special features.[4]
Afternoon Edition 4-7
Allan Russell and the team review evening and local newspapers, and focus on the main stories of the day affecting blind people.[5]
Specialist Music Shows
A number of weekly specialist shows are on in the evening from 7pm or 8pm, including ...
Music Box - an hour of Classical Music with Sandra Gayer
Sunset Melodies - Tracks from the 30's, 40's and 50's.
Pure 70's - Massive hits and forgotten gems.
Pure 80's - The greatest hits from the decade of decadence.
Guitar Picks - The best guitar music.
A Little Alternative - Something different with Sam Little.
Sounds of the Silver Screen - Music from the movies.
Real Country - The best in Country Music.
Other Shows
Tech Talk - Technology for blind and partially sighted users.
Blind Yoga - Specially designed show for blind listeners.
TED Radio Hour
National Talking Newspapers and Magazines
There are also highlights from Insight Radio's sister station, 'Insight Extra' a speech only service available online at http://www.insightradio.co.uk/extra.html
Awards
In 2007, the Insight Show (which later became the Daily Lunch) won the Silver Sony Award for the Internet Programme Award[6]
The Insight Show
Producers: Nina Kirk, Barry Snell & Michael Hughes
Writers: Jill Daley, Nina Kirk & Robert Kirkwood
Editors: Jill Daley, Michael Hughes, Robert Kirkwood, Allan Russell & Nina Kirk
Presenter: Jill Daley
Performers: Allan Russell, Robert Kirkwood & Laura Steel
"This podcast for blind listeners provides a niche service which would never be accommodated on a mainstream radio station and contains some of the most moving and well-produced human interest content the judges had heard in a long time."
VIPonAIR & RNIB for VIPonAIR.com
Big Brother
In 2008, a former member of staff from Insight Radio, Michael Hughes, became a contestant on the TV show Big Brother.
History
The radio station started as an online service called VIP on Air in November 2003, broadcasting for 2 hours a day, and later extending this to a 4 hour broadcast day. In 2007 the service was completely re-vamped, renamed and re-launched as Insight Radio.
The name VIP on Air was changed for a number of reasons. VIP in this context stands for Visually Impaired People but could be easily misunderstood. Also, as the station only broadcast online at the time, it wasn't actually 'on air' at all.
See also
- In Touch - a programme on BBC Radio 4 for people who are blind or partially sighted.
- RPH Australia - a network of similar radio services in Australia
- ACB Radio - a similar American service
- Radio Reading Service - a similar NZ service
References
- ↑ Early Edition
- ↑ Morning Mix
- ↑ Daily Lunch
- ↑ Talking Books
- ↑ Afternoon Edition
- ↑ Sony Radio Academy Awards - Winners 2007
