Union JACK Radio proves its comedy chops, Commissioning three new shows

Innovative national digital radio station launches three new comedy initiatives, reaffirming its position as ‘Home of British Comedy’ on the radio

 

15 April 2019, Oxford: National radio station Union JACK can today announce that it is continuing its investment in comedy content, by commissioning three original and entertaining comedy shows.

Launching on Monday 6 May 2019 at 0900 is Union JACK’s Pundays, hosted by Colin Leggo, winner of one of Leicester Comedy Festival’s sell-out events, the 2019 UK Pun Championship. This day-long, weekly feature will see Union JACK ditch Mondays and replace them with Pundays, when listeners will be invited to flood the station with puns, based around a specific British topic, via the Union JACK app.

In addition, Oxfordshire-based Union JACK can also announce a collaboration with Jericho Comedy, “one of the top six comedy venues in the UK” according to Chortle, and renowned for curating a comedy line-up bursting with the most talented up-and-comers, as well as established comedians including James Acaster and Rachel Parris. Union JACK’s One Night Stand will broadcast the full line-up from the weekly Jericho Comedy Club every Thursday at 1900, starting on Thursday 8 May.

 

Topping it all off, Union JACK has recommissioned Josh Berry’s Fake News for a second series. Written and voiced by viral impressionist Josh Berry (Dead Ringers, Michael McIntyre’s Big Show) – a young comic described by Rob Brydon as “a remarkable new talent” – the show puts the middle finger up to facts, blending satirical sketches with Josh’s uncanny impressions. The new series broadcasts every Friday at 1900 starting on Friday 19 April, with the first series available now on all podcast platforms.

Speaking of the new content, Union JACK’s Programme Manager, Giles Gear, said: “2019 will see Union JACK unleash a whole host of new comedy programmes, and these three are just the beginning. Pundays and One Night Stand showcase two huge areas of British comedy – puns and stand-up comedy. Recommissioning Josh Berry’s Fake News was also a no-brainer, as this young impressionist is destined for great things – a recent impression of his was watched by over 1 million people on Twitter and at Union JACK, we recognise and support his ambition.”

 

Union JACK is the fastest growing radio station in the UK, with a 74% increase in listeners year-on-year. Since launching in 2016, it has ignored the conventions of radio, happy to carve its own path. Operating without a DJ at the helm, every song on air is voted by the listeners on the Union JACK app – to date, there have been just under 20 million song votes.

 

Union JACK’s partnerships have included Team GB, 20^th Century Fox, Channel 4 and Sky, and it has welcomed talent including Peter Shilton, Paul Young, Phill Jupitus and Tom Rosenthal onto the station. Other shows include Geoff Lloyd’s Hometown Glory (an interview-based show with British icons) and Underdogs (an award-winning new music show hosted by someone who knows nothing about new music).

 

Union JACK is available across the UK on digital radio, online at unionjack.co.uk and via the Union JACK app.