• Broadcast transmission group Arqiva (formerly NTL Broadcast) sponsors awards for sixth year running
• Nominations reveal strong competition within the industry
• 95.8 Capital FM's Johnny Vaughan and Heart 106.2's Harriet Scott to host

Broadcast transmission group Arqiva (formerly NTL Broadcast) and the Commercial Radio Companies Association (CRCA) have today announced the nominations for the 2005 Arqiva Commercial Radio Awards.  The awards, which received a record number of entries this year (over 350) evidence some particularly fierce competition within the sector (full details of nominations below).  For 2005 there is a strong showing from Kerrang!, with four nominations, as well as an exciting line-up of nominees for the largest ‘Station of the Year' award in XFM, Choice FM and Classic FM. The digital entries were also extremely strong, with innovation across the sector reflected in the range of genres nominated, from contemporary pop through to PrimeTime's selection of 1940s and 1950s music.

Set to be hosted by 95.8 Capital FM's Johnny Vaughan and Heart 106.2's Harriet Scott, the awards, which are in their 10th year, seek to recognise excellence in all aspects of Commercial Radio including presentation, programming, technical innovation, and sales & marketing. The event attracts an increasing number of guests every year and, once more, will be held at the prestigious Hotel Intercontinental in Park Lane on 24 June.

Paul Eaton, Head of Radio at Arqiva, said: "NTL Broadcast has been an integral supporter of the Commercial Radio industry since its inception, and the Arqiva Commercial Radio Awards are a vital annual marker of the progress and growth within the sector. The awards recognise the outstanding achievements of this dynamic industry and, in our new incarnation, we're very proud to be sponsoring the event for the 6th year running."

Alison Winter, Research and Communications Manager at the CRCA, commented: "The success of the awards grows exponentially - the rising standard of entries has ensured that our judges certainly have their work cut out every year.  We're looking forward to celebrating the depth of talent and creativity in our industry with two excellent hosts at what promises to be a fantastic event."

The nominations are outlined in full below:

The Arqiva Commercial Radio Programmer of the Year

• Andrew Jeffries - Kerrang! 105.2
• Ivor Etienne - Choice 96.9 & 107.1 FM
• Paul Jackson - Virgin Radio

The Arqiva Commercial Radio Marketing Award

• Kevin Gover, Joss Baker & Maria Greenwood - Wessex FM
• Paul Saunders - Clyde 1
• Vibe 105-108FM

The Arqiva Social Action Initiative Award

• 104.7 Island FM - The Final Hour Appeal
• Beacon Radio's "One Million Pounds of Work"
• Hallam FM News Team - Hoax Calls Initiative

The Arqiva Commercial Radio Station of the Year (<300,000 TSA)

• 102.5 Radio Pembrokeshire
• 104.7 Island FM
• Dearne FM

The Arqiva Commercial Radio News Award

• Key 103 / Magic 1152 News Team
• Radio City News
• Real Radio Yorkshire News Team

The Arqiva Local Sales Team of the Year

• The Bay
• Invicta Radio Direct Sales Team
• Real Radio Scotland

The Arqiva Commercial Radio Technical Innovation Award

• Creation New Platforms
• Independent Radio News
• Lincs FM Group Ltd

The Arqiva Commercial Radio Station of the Year (300,000 to 1 million TSA)

• 96.6 TFM
• 97.2 Beacon Radio (West Midlands)
• Lincs FM

The Arqiva National Sales Team of the Year

• Classic FM Sales Team
• Emap
• UBC

The Arqiva/British Heart Foundation Action on Health Award

• Dawn Gibson, Matt Emmerson, Lesley Lane and Lesley Boyle - 96.6 TFM
• Hallam FM News
• Real Radio Wales

The Arqiva Commercial Radio Programme or Feature of the Year

• Caught in the Crossfire - 97.2 Beacon Radio (West Midlands)
• The Boat Race 2005 - LBC 97.3FM & LBC 1152AM
• The Real Robbie Williams - Terry Underhill, Real Radio

The Arqiva/Skillset Commercial Radio Presentation Newcomer of the Year

• Christian & Ed - Kerrang! 105.2
• BODG - Passion 107.9
• Jas ‘The Man on Drive' - Club Asia 963-972AM

The Arqiva Commercial Radio Digital Station of the Year

• Kerrang! Radio
• PrimeTime Radio
• The Hits Radio

The Arqiva Commercial Radio Station Sound Award 

• 96.3 Radio Aire Station Sound
• Chris Thorpe & Dan Snaith - Kerrang! 105.2
• Virgin Radio - Viva Virgin Las Vegas

The Arqiva Commercial Radio Presenter of the Year - in association with x-trax

• Simon Hirst - Galaxy 105
• Justin Moorhouse - Key 103
• MisSyD - Club Asia 963 & 972 AM

The Arqiva Commercial Radio Station of the Year (>1 million TSA)

• Choice 96.9 & 107.1 FM
• Classic FM
• XFM