airs his concerns on the future of Jewish radio
August 21, 2008 23:00ByCandice Krieger, Candice Krieger
Former TalkSport radio presenter Mike Mendoza believes there is no future in Jewish radio.
Mr Mendoza co-founded the now defunct Shalom FM in 2002. He has since been publicly critical of other Jewish radio station attempts, notably by JCom (Jewish Communications Limited), which was recently forced to close after it lost a libel case brought by George Galloway MP.
This week, Mr Mendoza, 60, told People he saw bigger problems for the sector. "The support for Jewish radio isn't there, and I don't think it ever will be.
"There is a lack of financial support. There are a lot of well-meaning amateurs who try and take on the mantle and play radio, but just end up screwing it up."
Mr Mendoza is unlikely to be too concerned, however. Last week, after four years at TalkSport, he began his new job presenting a four-hour weeknight show on Play Two UK, one of playradiouk.com's 12 internet stations.
How's it going? "Surprisingly well," he says.
"We are not covered by Ofcom, and the show is totally unregulated - different to what I'm used to. We can do and say whatever we want."
Mr Mendoza says he was sad to leave TalkSport, where he was the weekend overnight presenter until the end of last month.
"I had a thoroughly good time there with a great following.
"My contract has expired and I was told that I didn't feature in the future views of the new boss."
Prior to TalkSport, Mr Mendoza spent 11 years at LBC. He has also worked for the BBC, Radio Mercury, Southern Sound and Spectrum Radio.
He lives on the South Coast of England.