The on-shell matrix elements, or couplings $$ {g}_{H{H}^{\ast}\left({H}_1\right)\upgamma} $$
g
H
H
∗
H
1
γ
, describing the $$ B{(D)}_q^{\ast } $$
B
D
q
∗
→ B(D)qγ and B1q → Bqγ (q = u, d, s) radiative decays, are determined from light-cone sum rules at next-to-leading order for the first time. Two different interpolating operators are used for the vector meson, providing additional robustness to our results. For the D*-meson, where some rates are experimentally known, agreement is found. The couplings are of additional interest as they govern the lowest pole residue in the B(D) → γ form factors which in turn are connected to QED-corrections in leptonic decays B(D) → ℓ$$ \overline{\nu} $$
ν
¯
. Since the couplings and residues are related by the decay constants $$ {f}_{H^{\ast}\left({H}_1\right)} $$
f
H
∗
H
1
and $$ {f}_{H^{\ast}\left({H}_1\right)}^T $$
f
H
∗
H
1
T
, we determine them at next-leading order as a by-product. The quantities $$ \left\{{f}_{H^{\ast}}^T,{f}_{H_1}^T\right\} $$
f
H
∗
T
f
H
1
T
have not previously been subjected to a QCD sum rule determination. All results are compared with the existing experimental and theoretical literature.