Academic

It's hard to make sense of this morning's announcement from the Radio Academy. The news that the "Executive Unit" is to close at the end of the year "in its current form" looks like big money trouble for the registered charity, and possibly curtains for the Academy as a whole. Four people are being made redundant,

The news that there'll be no Radio Academy Awards in May next year means no major sponsor has been found since Sony dropped out in August last year. The "ambition" pledged by the BBC, Global, Bauer, UTV, RIG and the RadioCentre, to create a new event, probably in London, is commendable, but undelivered. Radio Today speculates that there could be a merged Festival and Awards, but that would necessitate a move from Salford Quays.

Without sponsorship, the Academy's income comes from membership, charged to individuals at £25pa, but paid by "Patrons" if you work for them. I've no idea how much the BBC contributes in this way - but you can bet it's being scrutinised under DQF.

The only good news? Those hard-working producers who spend too much of January making last year's output sound much better than it was can at least look at ski-ing brochures.