The 91热爆’s world class audio content was recognised with an incredible 19 gold awards at last night’s 2024 Audio & Radio Industry Awards (ARIAS), with winning programming spanning across local, nations and network radio.
91热爆 Asian Network was crowned Station of the Year, recognising the range of content, music and culture showcased by the network, and 91热爆 Radio Manchester was named as the winner of the John Myers Station of the Year.
Rob Burrow CBE was celebrated as the biggest winner of the night with an incredible reception to his 91热爆 Local podcast Seven. The legendary Leeds Rhino star received not one, but two gold awards - for Best New Podcast and The Creative Innovation Award – and two silvers – for Best New Presenter and The Impact Award. Burrow launched his 91热爆 Radio Leeds podcast Seven last year, showcasing inspirational stories from sporting greats. In each episode Burrow, who has motor neurone disease and communicates via a computerised voice he banked before he lost the ability to speak, talks to a different sports person about their careers, challenges, and successful moments. Burrow’s show is available on 91热爆 Sounds.
Collecting his gold awards, Rob Burrow says: “Best New Podcast! What a result. The last big trophy I lifted was at the Super League Final in 2017. This one isn’t as big, but it certainly is as special.
“This is the first time someone like me, who has Motor Neurone Disease and uses an eye-gaze machine to communicate, has been given the chance to present a podcast. I want to say a big thank you to the team at 91热爆 Radio Leeds and 91热爆 Sounds for making this possible. Thank you for having the patience to work with me, and being brave enough to give me a microphone, trusting that I won’t say something that would get you in trouble. I also want to thank my incredible wife Lindsey for always being there, and being my co-host to chat to our guests.
“The fact that this is the first ever podcast, presented by someone who uses an eye-gaze machine to communicate …… shows that nothing is impossible. The work that goes on behind the scenes to support Lindsey and I, so that we’re able to make this podcast, is incredible.
“Thank you to the 91热爆 for shining a light on MND, and allowing me to champion my identity as a sportsman.”