Speaker Spotlight: Broadcaster Matt Wilkinson (Heart, UK)

If radio is a craft, Matt Wilkinson is one of its most meticulous builders! Appearing at the Programming Summit at RDE26, Matt brings a deep, practical understanding of how great radio is actually constructed – moment by moment, decision by decision. He deconstructs the mechanics that make radio work in a really accessible way.

From the art of the perfect segue, to positioning music and imaging with intention, to knowing exactly when a caller clip lifts a moment (and when it doesn’t), Matt has built a reputation for sweating the small stuff. He understands that flow isn’t accidental, it’s engineered. Competitions, links, pacing, tone: every element earns its place and serves the listener experience.

Beyond the studio, Matt has built a substantial following on TikTok by pulling back the curtain on radio itself. His short-form videos break down the why behind everyday programming decisions, making the invisible visible, reminding a new generation that radio excellence is a skill, not a coincidence. It’s rare to see someone translate professional-level craft into content that’s both educational and genuinely entertaining.

Matt’s daytime show on the biggest radio network in the UK – Heart – continues to perform strongly, proving that attention to detail scales and that mainstream success and craft-led thinking are not opposites. His work is a powerful reminder that when you get the fundamentals right, everything sounds easier, warmer, and more confident.

At RDE26, Matt Wilkinson will give programmers, producers, and talent something invaluable: clarity. A chance to look again at the building blocks of great radio and to leave with ideas they can use the very next day.