The nominations for the 2026 Commercial Radio News Awards in association with IRN and Sky News have been revealed. The awards recognise quality journalism, presentation and production in commercial radio news and sport – something which is so important in today’s current media landscape.

Bauer Media’s news teams have received an incredible 29 nominations, across a wide range of categories including News Team and Reporter of the year.

Jim Foulger, Head of News and Sport, UK Nationals and England & Wales, said: “What an incredible result for our news teams ! Everybody works tirelessly to find the very best stories from wherever our audience lives in the UK and this recognition from experienced industry colleagues is testament to that dedication. Roll on March!”

Lorraine Herbison Hollinshead, Head of News and Sport, Scotland, added: ‘We are all thrilled that the news team’s hard work is being recognised yet again in this year’s Commercial Radio News Awards. Commercial radio is thriving and our journalists play a vital role  for our listeners, keeping them informed of all the day to day breaking news as well as offering investigative and high quality journalism’.

The winners will be announced on Thursday 26th March 2026. The nominations are:

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

Joseph Draper – LBC
Martha Tipper – Greatest Hits Radio, Kent, Bauer Media Audio 
Phoebe Abruzzese – Global’s Newsroom North East
Molly Tulett – Clyde 1, Bauer Media Audio
George Icke – Global’s Newsroom Central Region

BEST INTERVIEW

Pregnancy, Prison and the Cost of Injustice – Shivani Sharma, Global’s Newsroom Central Region
Micky Welch interviews a Benwell explosion victim – Micky Welch, Hits Radio North East, Bauer Media Audio 
Terror at the Synagogue, Yoni Finlay  – Chris Chambers, Global’s Newsroom North West and Yorkshire
Lost Souls: Row 9, Grave 28 – Greatest Hits Radio, Bauer Media Audio  
‘I’m Proud of Him,’ Noel Gallagher, Oasis Exclusive – talkSPORT

REPORTER OF THE YEAR (NATIONAL)

Victoria Glover – Hits Radio, Bauer Media Audio 
Helen Hoddinott – LBC
Mick Coyle – Hits Radio and Greatest Hits Radio, Bauer Media Audio 
Chris Chambers – Global’s Newsroom North West and Yorkshire
Joseph Draper – LBC

REPORTER OF THE YEAR (SPECIALIST)

Will Hobbs – talkSPORT and Times Radio
Christian Jones – Manx Radio
Georgie Prodromou – Bauer Media Audio 
Fraser Knight – LBC and LBC News
Alan Smith – Bauer Media Audio 

REPORTER OF THE YEAR (REGIONAL)

Phoebe Abruzzese – Global’s Newsroom North East
Karen Liu – Hits Radio and Greatest Hits Radio Teesside, Bauer Media Audio 
Shivani Sharma – Global’s Newsroom Central Region
Alan Zycinski – Global’s Newsroom Scotland
George Icke – Global’s Newsroom Central Region

BEST SPORTS COVERAGE

Aberdeen’s Hampden Heroes – Dave Galloway, Northsound 1, Bauer Media Audio 
Goodbye to Goodison – Global’s Newsroom North West and Yorkshire
Scotland’s Greatest Night – Clyde 1, Bauer Media Audio 
Tell Me Ma…From Newcastle to Wembley and Home for Tea – Hits Radio North East, Bauer Media Audio
Leeds United: Back Where we Belong – West Yorkshire News Team, Bauer Media Audio 

BEST NEWS STORY OR COVERAGE

The Murder of Harvey Willgoose – Hits Radio South Yorkshire, Bauer Media Audio 
Terror at the Synagogue – Global’s Newsroom North West and Yorkshire
A Round with Donald – Clyde 1 and Northsound 1, Bauer Media Audio 
Ozzy Osbourne – The Son of Birmingham – Greatest Hits Radio and Planet Rock, Bauer Media Audio 
Inside the Synagogue – Manchester’s Hits Radio, Bauer Media Audio 

NEWSREADER OF THE YEAR (NATIONAL)

David Domb – Global’s Newsroom London
Will Hobbs – talkSPORT and Times Radio
Amelia Cox – LBC and Global’s Newsroom London
Aileen O’Sullivan – KISS FM UK, Bauer Media Audio 
John Stratford – LBC News

NEWSREADER OF THE YEAR (REGIONAL)

George Painter – Global’s Newsroom Bristol
Nicolle Cassels – Global’s Newsroom Scotland
Micky Welch – Hits Radio North East, Bauer Media Audio 
Anna Harding – Global’s Newsroom Central Region
Annie Mae Walker – Global’s Newsroom North West and Yorkshire

BEST NEWS SPECIAL

My Stalker Moved in Next Door – Victoria Glover, Hits Radio, Bauer Media Audio 
Jogging Through Abuse: An LBC Exclusive Exposing Life on a Run – Emma Corr, LBC
Before 12 Weeks – Alice Faulkner, Clyde 1 – Hits Radio Network Scotland, Bauer Media Audio 
Lost Souls – Greatest Hits Radio – Bauer Media Audio
Head Before Wicket – Will Hobbs, talkSPORT

NEWS TEAM OF THE YEAR (hubs or stations under 1.5 million TSA)

Northsound News – Bauer Media Audio 
Lincolnshire News Team – Bauer Media Audio 
MFR News – Bauer Media Audio 
Hits Radio South Yorkshire – Bauer Media Audio 
Hits Radio Teesside – Bauer Media Audio 

NEWS TEAM OF THE YEAR (hubs or stations over 1.5 million TSA)

talkSPORT News Team – talkSPORT
Hits Radio North East – Bauer Media Audio 
Global’s Newsroom Scotland
Times Radio News Team – Times Radio
Clyde 1 News Team – Clyde 1, Bauer Media Audio