The Radio Academy Awards, started in 1983, were the most prestigious awards in the British radio industry. For most of their existence, they were run by ZAFER Associates, but in latter years were brought under the control of The Radio Academy.
The awards were generally referred to by the name of their first sponsor, Sony, as the Sony Awards, the Sony Radio Awards or other variations. In August 2013, Sony announced the end of its sponsorship agreement with the Radio Academy after 32 years. Consequently, the awards were simply named the Radio Academy Awards. In November 2014, it was announced that The Radio Academy would not be holding the awards in 2015, and would be looking for other ways to recognise achievement in the future.
The awards were relaunched in 2016 as the Audio & Radio Industry Awards (ARIAS).
Awards format The awards were organised into various categories, with nominees being announced a few weeks before the main awards ceremony. The categories varied slightly each year, and were decided by an annual committee, with the aim to include all the main areas from music, news and speech through to radio drama, comedy and sport, and not discriminating against station size, or niche categories.
In most categories, five entries were shortlisted with the top three awarded Bronze, Silver and Gold. Some categories (such as the Station of the Year categories) only three entries were shortlisted, with only a Gold winner awarded. In a number of special categories (such as The Gold Award or Special Award) there was no shortlist, merely a winner.
1983 Gold Award winners Category Winner Station/Organisation RefsOutstanding contribution to radio over the yearsFrank Muir and Denis NordenBest actressMary Riggans for Till All the Seas Run DryRadio ClydeBest actorJohn Nettles for Mirror ImageBBC Radio 3Female personality of the yearSue MacGregorMale personality of the yearBrian JohnstonLocal radio personality of the yearRichard ParkRadio ClydeNational DJ of the yearMike ReadBBC Radio 1Local DJ of the yearTim LloydEssex RadioReporter of the yearMichael ElkinsBBC NewsSports broadcaster of the yearClive TyldesleyRadio CitySociety of Authors award for best drama scriptThe Journal of Vassilije Bogdanovic, written by Alan PlaterBBC World ServiceTechnical excellence and achievementDark Heritage, produced by Jane MorganBBC Radio 4Best children's programmeListening CornerBBC Radio 4Best classical music programmeDecade - The 1800sBBC Radio 3Best community service programmeBreak The SilencePiccadilly RadioBest current affairs programmeThe World This WeekendBBC Radio 4Best documentary featureThe Rent BoysPiccadilly RadioBest drama productionOver The Hills and Far Away, produced by Cherry CooksonBBC Radio 4Best light entertainment programmeRadio ActiveBBC Radio 4Best local radio programmenot awardedBest magazine programmeWoman's HourBBC Radio 4Best popular music programmeTerry WoganBBC Radio 2
1984 Gold Award winners Category Winner Station/Organisation RefsOutstanding contribution to radio over the yearsDavid JacobsBest actressMaureen O'Brien for The Duchess's Diary and A Month in the CountryBBC Radio 3Best actorClive Merrison for LutherBBC Radio 3UK female radio personality of the yearMargaret HowardBBC Radio 4UK male radio personality of the yearBrian MatthewBBC Radio 2Local radio personality of the earSusie MathisPiccadilly RadioSpecial award for services to radioLord (Jimmy) Gordon of Strathblane CBERadio ClydeNational DJ of the yearMike ReadBBC Radio 1Local DJ of the yearTimmy MallettPiccadilly RadioReporter of the yearGerald ButtBBC Radio NewsSports broadcaster of the yearCharles LambertBBC Radio MerseysideSociety of Authors award for best drama scriptNever in My Lifetime, written by Shirley GeeBBC Radio 3Technical excellence and achievementA Concert from Seoul – live by satellite - Duncan MacEwanBBC Radio 3Best children's programmeIn The NewsBBC Radio 4Best classical music programmeMr Hallé's BandPiccadilly RadioBest community service programmeTay ActionRadio TayBest current affairs programmeTodayBBC Radio 4Best documentary/features programmeFat Man at WorkBBC Radio 4Best drama productionRoad to RocioBBC Radio 4Best light entertainment programmeSon of ClichéBBC Radio 4Best local radio programmeLove The BonesRadio CityBest magazine programmeThe Food ProgrammeBBC Radio 4Best outside broadcast programmeWater Skiing LessonsWiltshire RadioBest popular music programmeBenny GreenBBC Radio 2
1985 Gold Award winners Category Winner Station/Organisation RefsOutstanding contribution to radio over the yearsBritish Forces Broadcasting ServiceBFBSBest actressGlenda Jackson in Scenes From An ExecutionBBC Radio 3Best actorDavid March for Mr Norris Changes TrainsBBC Radio 4Radio personality of the yearJimmy YoungBBC Radio 2Local radio personality of the yearAllan BeswickRed Rose RadioSpecial award for service to radioDerek ChinneryBBC Radio 2National DJ of the yearSteve WrightBBC Radio 1Local DJ of the yearTim (Timbo) BellRadio MercuryRadio reporter of the yearDavid LoynIRNSports broadcaster of the yearPeter JonesBBC RadioTechnical excellence and achievementHubert Gregg says "Maybe It's Because"BBC Radio 2Best drama scriptScenes from an Execution, written by Howard BarkerBBC Radio 3Best children's programmeGold and SilverBBC Radio KentBest classical music programmeDeep RiverBBC Radio 4Best community service programmingIn TouchBBC Radio 4Best current affairs programmeAnalysis – Post Recession BritainBBC Radio 4Best documentary/features programmeStrathinvarBBC Radio ScotlandBest drama productionTitus Groan and GormenghastBBC Radio 4Best dramatisationTitus Groan and GormenghastBBC Radio 4Best light entertainment programmeIn One EarBBC Radio 4Best local radio programmeKinnock & Scargill in StokeBBC Radio StokeBest magazine programmeFestival City RadioRadio ForthBest outside broadcastThe Terry Wogan Olympic ShowBBC Radio 2Best popular music programmeSteve Wright in the AfternoonBBC Radio 1Best specialist music programmeBarbed WirelessBBC Radio Derby
1986 Gold Award winners Category Winner Station/Organisation RefsOutstanding contribution to radio over the yearsJohn TimpsonBBC Radio 4Outstanding service to the community by a local radio stationBradford City FirePennine RadioBest actressJane Asher in Winter JourneyBBC Radio ScotlandBest actorRay Smith in A Kind of Hallowe'enBBC Radio 3Radio personality of the yearDouglas CameronLBC/IRNLocal radio personality of the yearMike Hurley for Bill BoreBBC Radio HumbersideSpecial award for services to radioParliamentary BroadcastingLBC/IRNNational DJ of the yearJohn PeelBBC Radio 1Radio reporter of the yearMark JordanCapital RadioSports broadcaster of the yearGeorge GavinBRMBTechnical excellence and achievementFestival of Nine Lessons and CarolsBBC Radio 4Most creative use of radioPeace on EarthBBC Radio 1Best children's programmingSay No To Strangers?Radio AireBest classical music programmeSymphonies and SilenceBBC Radio 4Best community service programmingClyde Action: Road Safety WeekRadio ClydeBest current affairs programmingFile on 4 (South Africa reform or revolution?)BBC Radio 4Best documentary/features programmeSetting SailBBC Radio 4Best drama productionHiroshima, The MovieBBC Radio 4Best dramatisationMunchausenBBC Radio 4Best local radio programmeGoodbye Village SchoolBBC Radio WalesBest magazine programmeNorfolk Air LineBBC Radio NorfolkBest original scriptA Kind of Hallowe'enBBC Radio 3Best outside broadcastLive Aid ConcertBBC Radio 1Best popular music programmeHoward Jones at the Manchester ApolloPiccadilly RadioBest specialist music programmeBarbed Wireless: The A & R ManBBC Radio DerbyBest use of comedyDelve SpecialBBC Radio 4
1987 Gold Award winners Category Winner Station/Organisation RefsBest actressBillie Whitelaw for Vassa ZhelyeznovaBBC Radio 3Best actorRonald Pickup for The Awful Insulation of RageBBC Radio 3Outstanding contribution to radio over the yearsThe ArchersOutstanding service to the community by a local radio stationBuild a Bungalow AppealRadio AireRadio personality of the yearDerek JamesonLocal radio personality of the yearAndy RadfordSevern SoundSpecial award for services to radioBrian HayesLocal DJ of the yearDavid JensenCapital RadioNational DJ of the yearMike SmithBBC Radio 1Radio reporter of the yearGraham LeachBBC RadioRadio sport broadcaster of the yearDerek RaeBBC Radio ScotlandTechnical excellence and achievementBreakdownCapital RadioMost creative use of radioBreakdownCapital RadioBest children's programmingThe Speaking ClockBBC Radio MerseysideBest classical music programmeThe Immortal BohemiamBBC Radio 4Best community service programmingCommunity Service Volunteers CompilationSuffolk Group RadioBest current affairs programmeThe Aids Plague in East AfricaBBC Radio 4Best documentary/feature programmeHopping Down in KentBBC Radio 4Best drama productionMischiefBBC Radio 4Best dramatisationJude The ObscureBBC Radio 4Best local radio programmeAberfan – An Unknown SpringSwansea SoundBest magazine programmeLoose EndsBBC Radio 4Best original scriptThe Awful Insulation of RageBBC Radio 3Best outside broadcastThe Mammouth Mail Couch DriveBBC Radio 1Best pop music programmeThe Network Chart ShowCapital RadioBest popular music programmeWorld Popular Song FestivalBBC Radio 1Best specialist music programmeAndy KershawBBC Radio 1Best use of comedyHuddwinksBBC Radio 2
1988 Gold Award winners Category Winner Station/Organisation RefsOutstanding contribution to radio over the yearsGerard MansellOutstanding service to the community by a local radio stationCampus Radio on Radio TayRadio TayBest actressHarriet Walter for Rhyme and ReasonBBC Radio 4Best actorEdward Petherbridge for The Wide Brimmed HatBBC Radio 4Radio personality of the yearAlan FreemanCapital RadioLocal radio personality of the yearBarbara SturgeonBBC Radio KentSpecial award for services to radioThena Heshel In TouchRadio 4National DJ of the yearMike SmithBBC Radio 1Local DJ of the yearJames WhaleRadio AireRadio reporter of the yearLindsay TaylorLBCSports broadcaster of the yearTerence O'DonohueBBC Radio WalesTechnical excellence and achievementViva Verdi! Act 1BBC Radio 4Most creative use of radioMauthausen Concentration CampMoray Firth RadioBest children's programmeIt's Russell HarrisBBC Radio HumbersideBest classical music programmeTomticketatom: BoleroBBC Radio 4Best community service programmeRoghe Sate (Good Health)BBC Pashto ServiceBest current affairs programmeMorning MerseysideBBC Radio MerseysideBest documentary/feature programmeWaiting for Mrs ForbesBBC Radio 4Best drama productionNews of the WorldBBC World ServiceBest dramatisationCheap in AugustBBC Radio 4Best local radio programmeOliver's StoryBBC Radio LeicesterBest magazine programmeMedicine NowBBC Radio 4Best original scriptVillage FêteBBC Radio 4Best outside broadcastMainline - The OperationBBC Radio ClevelandBest pop music programmeElvis 10 years AfterRadio TrentBest popular music programmeThe Eric Clapton StoryBBC Radio 1Best specialist music programmeBefore the BluesBBC Radio 3Best use of comedyCrisp and Even BrightlyBBC Radio 4
1989 Gold Award winners