Howard Pearce (Broadcaster)

Howard Michael Pearce is a British radio and television broadcaster, content producer and businessman best known as a presenter for Radio Luxembourg, network programmes for the UK’s Independent Radio Network, Virgin Radio and the BBC.
== Early Life ==
Born in Woking, Surrey in England he grew up in Hayling Island, Hampshire where he went to the local primary and secondary schools before Highbury Technical College in Portsmouth. Destined for a career in design as a draftsman, while at the Hayling School, he started ‘lunchtime’ discos in the 5th Form clubhouse, taking his career off on a completely different path. His time as a regular club DJ would later run alongside other work commitments right up until the early 1990’s when in 1993 his work for Sky TV and Virgin Radio took priority.
== Radio Career ==
Pearce’s introduction to radio was at Portsmouth Hospital Broadcasting (PHB) the hospital radio station for the Portsmouth and Gosport area. The station had been founded by Richard Skinner (BBC Radio 1) and Paul Robbins (Chief Engineer at Radio 210, Reading) both of which Pearce would work with again later in his career.
Pearce’s first professional broadcasting job was at RADIO VICTORY in Portsmouth. At one point, for a time, he was simultaneously presenting the Breakfast Show for RADIO VICTORY and the afternoon Drive Show for RADIO 210 (Thames Valley) in Reading, Berkshire five days a week (Radio 210 later 2TenFM and from 2009 Heart FM). At 210 Howard was part of a presenter team that included Mike Read, Steve Wright, Paul Hollingdale and Bob Harris. 
Pearce then joined RADIO LUXEMBOURG presenting regular programmes for the famous '208' night-time English service as well as daytime shows on the central European service 'RTL Community 92.5 FM'. Pearce joined 208 following the departure of Steve Wright to BBC Radio One. During Pearce's time at '208' the DJ team included Tony Prince, Bob Stewart, Barry Aldis, Stuart Henry and Ollie Henry, Rob Jones, Mike Hollis, Mark Wesley, Timmy Mallett, Johnny Walker, Dave Christian and Emperor Rosko. 
 
On returning to the UK, in addition to his daily radio programmes, Pearce started specialising in 'celebrity' interviews. Numbering more than 300 they included The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Bryan Ferry, Stevie Wonder, Bob Geldof, Janet Jackson, Bryan Adams, The Bee Gees, etc. These initially (1983-1986) were for BBC RADIO ONE (NEWSBEAT) and later for independent syndication.
During this time (1984 to 1986) Pearce also joined BBC RADIO 2 for several series of programmes presenting both the weekend and weekday early breakfast shows. In addition, he presented interview 'specials' for the station with the likes of Paul McCartney.
In 1986 Pearce began presenting the weekly pop music and celebrity interview programme 'SOUNDCHECK'. The show was syndicated nationally around the Network Chart Show across most of the UK's Independent Radio Network. In the early '90's, whilst his syndicated programmes continued, Pearce also worked for the BBC WORLD SERVICE and BBC RADIO 5 Live.
In August 1993 Pearce joined VIRGIN RADIO the UK's first national commercial contemporary music station. Presenting several programmes every week for over 6 years Pearce worked through various stages of the station’s development including under the leadership of Sir Richard Branson and Chris Evans (Ginger Media) as well as alongside the likes of Richard Skinner, Russ Williams, Jonathan Coleman, Tommy Vance, Nicky Horne, Graham Dean, Alan Freeman, Lynn Parsons, Mitch Johnson and Jonathan Ross.
 
In 2003 Pearce joined SMOOTH FM in London to present their weekend Breakfast Shows, later switching to a weekly Saturday afternoon music show. He also hosted the stations live football coverage of every Chelsea FC match during a time when Chelsea were Premiership Champions and FA Cup holders, this included them winning the first FA Cup final at the new Wembley Stadium. Pearce worked alongside commentator Gary Taphouse and soccer legend Kerry Dixon 05/06 & 06/07 seasons.
 
Pearce's radio and TV career has been existing alongside his other business commitments since the mid 1990's, including currently with his work for HOGARTH WORLDWIDE (part of the WPP Group). He continues broadcasting regular programmes and this between 2018 and 2021 has included being part of the United DJ's team with colleagues Tony Prince, Mike Read, David Jensen, Rosko, etc., where he hosted a music programme every Sunday morning.
== TV Career ==
In1993 Pearce joined MERIDIAN TELEVISION, part of the UK’s ITV network, as one of their regular presenters (1993-1995).
Pearce's TV work took him from Meridian to SKY TELEVISION (BskyB) as a presenter for their SKY SPORTS channels. 
In 1999 Pearce switched from BSkyB to the music video channel VH1 initially as a presenter of their weekday 'Top 10 chart shows', he also presented other specialist shows. 
== Business Path ==
Pearce Media was formed to handle radio production as part of the network manufacture and distribution of his syndicated programme SOUNDCHECK. This in 2001 led to work with ADSTREAM who, at that time, pioneered the delivery of cross-media advertising content online globally.
In 2015 Howard joined the WPP Group. He is currently Head of Professional Services for Hogarth Worldwide based in London. 
Category:British broadcasters
Category:British producers
Category:British businesspeople