Editing BBC Radio

{{Short description|Division and service of the British Broadcasting Corporation}}
{{About|the BBC's operational division consists in several British radio stations|the BBC's digital multiplex|BBC National DAB|the radio in the United Kingdom|Radio in the United Kingdom}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}}
{{Infobox company
| name = BBC Radio
| logo = [[File:BBC Radio 2021 (stacked).svg|160px|class=skin-invert]]
| logo_caption = Logo used since 2021
| type = [[Division (business)|Division]]
| foundation = {{Nowrap|{{start date and age|1922|10|18|df=yes}}}}
| location_city = [[Broadcasting House]], [[London]]<br />[[MediaCityUK]], [[Salford]]
| location_country = England
| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people = {{ubl|[[Bob Shennan]] (Group Managing Director, BBC)
| Lorna Clarke – Controller, Pop
| [[Aled Haydn Jones]] – Controller, Radio 1
| Helen Thomas – Controller, Radio 2
| Alan Davey – Controller, Radio 3 and Classical
| [[Mohit Bakaya]] – Controller, Radio 4 and 4 Extra
| Heidi Dawson – Controller, Radio 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra
| Jonathan Wall – Controller, BBC Sounds
| [[Graham Ellis]] – Controller, BBC Audio}}
| industry = [[Mass media]]
| services = Radio broadcasting
| parent = [[BBC]]
| homepage = {{URL|https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds|bbc.co.uk/sounds}}
}}
{{BBC Radio sidebar}}
{{BBC sidebar}}
'''BBC Radio''' is an operational [[business division]]<ref>{{cite web|title= BBC Management Structure|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/insidethebbc/managementstructure/bbcstructure/|work= 26 July 2013|publisher= BBC|access-date= 26 July 2013|archive-date= 15 December 2011|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111215082435/http://www.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/insidethebbc/managementstructure/bbcstructure/|url-status= live}}</ref> and service of the [[BBC|British Broadcasting Corporation]] (BBC) which has operated in the [[United Kingdom]] under the terms of a [[BBC Charter|royal charter]] since 1927. The service provides national radio stations covering the majority of musical genres, as well as [[BBC Local Radio|local radio]] stations covering local news, affairs, and interests. It also oversees online audio content.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/running/bbcstructure/am.shtm BBC Audio & Music] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120723014857/http://www.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/running/bbcstructure/am.shtm |date=23 July 2012 }}, Retrieved 18 November 2010</ref>

Of the national radio stations, [[BBC Radio 1]], [[BBC Radio 2|2]], [[BBC Radio 3|3]], [[BBC Radio 4|4]], and [[BBC Radio 5 Live|5 Live]] are all available through analogue radio ([[Medium wave|MW]] or [[FM broadcasting|FM]], also BBC Radio 4 broadcasts on [[longwave]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC – About Radio 4 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/98FthRzhxJ4z0fXYJnsvlM/about-radio-4 |access-date=2022-09-23 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref>) as well as on [[DAB Digital Radio]] and [[BBC Sounds]]. The [[BBC Asian Network|Asian Network]] broadcasts on DAB and selected AM frequencies in the English Midlands. [[BBC Radio 1Xtra]], [[BBC Radio 4 Extra|4 Extra]], [[BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra|5 Sports Extra]], [[BBC Radio 6 Music|6 Music]] and the [[BBC World Service|World Service]] broadcast only on DAB and BBC Sounds, while Radio 1's [[BBC Radio 1 Dance|Dance]] and [[BBC Radio 1 Anthems|Anthems]] streams and Radio 3's [[BBC Radio 3 Unwind|Unwind]] stream are available only online.

All of the BBC's national radio stations broadcast from bases in [[London]] and [[Manchester]], usually in or near to [[Broadcasting House]] or [[MediaCityUK]]. However, the BBC's network production units located in [[Belfast]], [[Birmingham]], [[Bristol]], [[Cardiff]] and [[Glasgow]] also make radio programmes.<ref>
{{cite web|url=http://frequencyfinder.org.uk/All_txt.pdf | title = BBC National Radio| access-date=1 February 2009 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226134012/http://frequencyfinder.org.uk/All_txt.pdf |archive-date=26 February 2009 }}
</ref>

==History==
{{further|Timeline of the BBC|British Broadcasting Company|BBC#History}}
The BBC's radio services began in 1922. The British Government licensed the BBC through its [[General Post Office]], which had original control of the airwaves because they had been interpreted under law as an extension of the Post Office services. Today radio broadcasting still makes up a large part of the corporation's output.

===First charter===
{{main|BBC Charter}}
[[File:Royal broadcast, Christmas 1934 (Our Generation, 1938).jpg|thumb|right|[[George V]] giving the 1934 [[Royal Christmas Message]] on BBC Radio]]
On 1 January 1927, the [[British Broadcasting Company]] was succeeded in monopoly control of the airwaves by the [[British Broadcasting Corporation]], under the terms of a [[royal charter]].

[[John Reith, 1st Baron Reith|John Reith]], who had been the founding managing director of the commercial company, became the first Director-General. He expounded firm principles of centralised, all-encompassing radio broadcasting, stressing programming standards and moral tone. These he set out in his 1924 autobiography, ''Broadcast Over Britain'', influencing modern ideas of [[public service broadcasting in the United Kingdom]]. To this day, the BBC aims to follow the Reithian directive to "inform, educate and entertain".<ref>{{cite news|title=No need to change BBC's mission to 'inform, educate and entertain'|url=https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/lords-select/communications-committee/news-parliament-2015/bbc-charter-review-report-published/|agency=UK Parliament|date=31 October 2016|access-date=31 October 2016|archive-date=31 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031154543/https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/lords-select/communications-committee/news-parliament-2015/bbc-charter-review-report-published/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Competition from overseas stations===

Although no other broadcasting organisation was licensed in the UK until 1973, commercial competition soon opened up from overseas. The English language service of [[Radio Luxembourg]] began in 1933 as one of the earliest commercial radio stations broadcasting to Britain and Ireland. With no possibility of domestic commercial broadcasting in the UK, a former British [[Royal Air Force]] captain and entrepreneur (and from 1935 [[Conservative Party UK|Conservative Party]] [[Member of Parliament (UK)|MP]]) named [[Leonard Plugge]] set up his own [[International Broadcasting Company]] in 1931.<ref>AND THE WORLD LISTENED The Biography of Captain Leonard F. Plugge – A Pioneer of Commercial Radio. Kelly Publications 2007. Author: Keith Wallis</ref> The IBC began leasing time on transmitters in continental Europe and then reselling it as sponsored English-language programming aimed at audiences in Britain and Ireland. Because Plugge successfully demonstrated that state monopolies such as that of the BBC could be broken, other parties became attracted to the idea of creating a new commercial radio station specifically for this purpose. It was an important forerunner of [[pirate radio]] and modern commercial radio in the United Kingdom. The onset of World War II silenced all but one of the original IBC stations, with only Radio Luxembourg continuing its nightly transmissions to Britain.

===Empire and the world===

To provide a different service from the domestic audience the Corporation started the BBC Empire Service on short wave in 1932, originally in English but it soon provided programmes in other languages. At the start of the Second World War it was renamed The Overseas Service and is now known as the [[BBC World Service]].<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/history History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200522143807/http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/history/ |date=22 May 2020 }} BBC World Service</ref>

===Commercial radio influence===

Beginning in March 1964, [[Radio Caroline]] became the first of what would become ten offshore [[UK pirate radio|pirate radio]] stations that began to ring the British coastline, mostly along the south-east coast. By 1966 millions were tuning into these commercial stations, and the BBC was rapidly losing its radio listening audience.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A2939411 | work = H2G2 | title = The Offshore Radio Revolution in Britain 1964–2004 | date = 31 August 2004 | access-date = 22 July 2007 | archive-date = 9 July 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070709131405/http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A2939411 | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2007/09/27/bvradio127.xml&page=1 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071018203739/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2007/09/27/bvradio127.xml&page=1 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 18 October 2007 | work = Daily Telegraph | title = The day we woke up to pop music on Radio 1| date = 27 September 2007 | author = Imogen Carter | access-date =30 September 2007}}</ref> This was largely due to the fact that even though they were fully aware of the problem, the BBC still only played a few hours of pop music records a week, as opposed to the pirates which broadcast chart music and new releases every day.

The British government reacted by passing the [[Marine, &c., Broadcasting (Offences) Act 1967]], which virtually wiped out all of the pirate stations at midnight on 14 August 1967, by banning any British citizen from working for a pirate station. Only [[Radio Caroline]] survived, and continues to broadcast today, though the last original offshore broadcast was in 1989.

One of the stations, [[Wonderful Radio London|Radio London]] (also known as "Big L"), was so successful that the BBC was told to copy it as best they could. This led to a complete overhaul by [[Frank Gillard]], the BBC's director of radio output, creating the four analogue channels that still form the basis of its broadcasting today. The creator of Radio 1 told the press that his family had been fans of Radio London.

The BBC hired many out-of-work broadcasting staff who had come from the former offshore stations. [[Kenny Everett]] was asked for input in how to run the new pop station due to his popularity with both listeners and fellow presenters. [[Tony Blackburn]], who presented the first ''[[Radio 1 Breakfast]]'' show, had previously presented the morning show on Radio Caroline and later on Radio London. He attempted to duplicate the same sound for Radio 1. Among the other DJs hired was [[John Peel]], who had presented the overnight show on Radio London, called ''The Perfumed Garden''. Though it only ran for a few months prior to Radio London's closure, ''The Perfumed Garden'' got more fan mail than the rest of the pop DJs on Radio London combined, so much that staff wondered what to do with it all. The reason it got so much mail was that it played different music and was the beginning of the "album rock" genre. On Everett's suggestion, Radio London's [[PAMS]] [[jingles]] were commissioned to be re-recorded in [[Dallas]], [[Texas]], so that "''Wonderful Radio London''" became "''Wonderful Radio One on BBC''".

The BBC's more popular stations have encountered pressure from the commercial sector.<ref name="tel-nov2010">{{cite news |first=Amanda |last=Andrews |date=28 November 2010 |title=BBC enlists commercial sector help to shake up radio |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/media/8164936/BBC-enlists-commercial-sector-help-to-shake-up-radio.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/media/8164936/BBC-enlists-commercial-sector-help-to-shake-up-radio.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=The Telegraph |access-date=12 March 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref> [[John Myers (radio executive)|John Myers]], who had developed commercial brands such as [[Century Network|Century Radio]] and [[Real Radio]], was asked in the first quarter of 2011 to conduct a review into the efficiencies of Radios 1, 2, 1Xtra and 6 Music. His role, according to Andrew Harrison, the chief executive of RadioCentre, was "to identify both areas of best practice and possible savings."<ref name="tel-nov2010"/>

===BBC analogue networks===
On 30 September 1967:
*[[BBC Radio 1]] was launched as a pop music station, initially on a part-time basis.
*The [[BBC Light Programme]] (launched 29 July 1945) was renamed [[BBC Radio 2]] and broadcast easy listening music, folk, jazz, light entertainment and sport. 
*The evening [[BBC Third Programme]] (launched 29 September 1946) and daytime BBC Music Programme (launched 22 March 1965) were merged under the heading of [[BBC Radio 3]], although the Third Programme kept its separate title until 3 April 1970.
*The [[BBC Home Service]] (launched 1 September 1939) became [[BBC Radio 4]].
*[[BBC Radio 5 (former)|BBC Radio 5]] was launched on 27 August 1990 as a home for sport and educational and children's programming, but was replaced by [[BBC Radio 5 Live]], a dedicated news and sport network, on 28 March 1994.

===2002 digital radio networks===
With the increased rollout of [[Digital Audio Broadcasting#United Kingdom|Digital Audio Broadcasting]] (DAB) between 1995 and 2002, BBC Radio launched several new digital-only stations [[BBC Radio 1Xtra|BBC 1Xtra]], [[BBC Radio 6 Music|BBC 6 Music]] and [[BBC Radio 4 Extra|BBC 7]] in 2002 on 16 August, 11 March and 15 December respectively – the first for "new black British music", the second as a source of performance-based "alternative" music, the latter specialising in archive classic comedy shows, drama and children's programmes. [[BBC Asian Network]] joined the national DAB network on 28 October 2002. The stations had "Radio" added to their names in 2008. In 2011, BBC Radio 7 was renamed [[BBC Radio 4 Extra]] and the service was more closely aligned with Radio 4.

===2020s spin-off stations===
At the start of the 2020s, two Radio 1 [[Sister station|spin-offs]] were launched on [[BBC Sounds]], [[BBC Radio 1 Dance]] in October 2020, followed by [[BBC Radio 1 Relax]], in April 2021. Radio 1 Relax however closed in July 2024.

In February 2024, the corporation announced plans to launch three new spin-offs, pending public consultation and regulatory approval: one from Radio 1 for "music from the 2000s and 2010s, catering to the appetite from young audiences for recent nostalgia"; one from Radio 2, with "'a distinctive take on pop nostalgia' from the 50s, 60s, and 70s"; and one from Radio 3 for "calming classical music". In addition, Radio 1 Dance would launch on DAB expanded programming.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-68226389|title= Radio 2 spin-off among four new stations planned by BBC|first=Steven|last=McIntosh|date=7 February 2024|website=[[BBC News Online]]|publisher=[[BBC News]]}}</ref>

==Stations==
[[Image:Bbc broadcasting house front.jpg|thumb|Much of BBC radio comes from Broadcasting House, Portland Place at the head of Regent Street, London]]

===National (UK-wide)===
The BBC today runs national domestic radio stations, six of which are available in analogue formats (via FM or AM), while other have a purely digital format – they can be received via [[DAB Digital Radio]], UK digital television (satellite, cable and [[Freeview (UK)|Freeview]]) plus live streams and listen again on [[BBC Sounds]]. The current stations are:

*[[BBC Radio 1]] – [[Contemporary hit radio|youth-oriented music]], including talk, entertainment and alternative music, plus news, original in-house live music sessions, original live music concerts and music documentaries. Available on 97–99 FM and on digital platforms.
:{|
|valign="top"|Slogan:||''The biggest new pop and all day vibes''
|}
*[[BBC Radio 1 Dance]] – an online 'stream' from Radio 1 playing electronic dance music. Available only on BBC Sounds.
:{|
|valign="top" |Slogan:||''The biggest current, future and classic dance vibes''
|}
*[[BBC Radio 1 Anthems]] – an online 'stream' from Radio 1 playing mainly throwback music. Available only on BBC Sounds.
:{|
|valign="top" |Slogan:||''All day anthems from the 00s to now''
|}
*[[BBC Radio 1Xtra]] – a mix of [[Black music]] and content, plus news, original in-house live music sessions, original live music concerts and music documentaries. The service simulcasts Radio 1 from 21:00 to 23:00 on Saturdays. Available only on digital platforms.
:{|
|valign="top" |Slogan:||''Amplifying Black music and culture'' 
|}
*[[BBC Radio 2]] – [[Adult contemporary|adult-oriented music]], along with talk, entertainment and alternative music, plus news, original in-house live music sessions, original live music concerts and music documentaries. Available on 88–91 FM and on digital platforms.
:{|
|valign="top"|Slogan:||''Lift your day with the best tunes from your favourite DJs''
|}
*[[BBC Radio 3]] – arts and [[high culture]], special-interest music ([[European classical music|classical]], [[jazz]], [[world music]]), plus news, original in-house live music sessions, original live music concerts and music documentaries. Available on 90–93 FM and digital platforms.
:{|
|valign="top"|Slogan:||''Adventures in classical''
|}
*[[BBC Radio 3 Unwind]] - An online "stream" from Radio 3 that plays relaxing, calming classical music. Available only on BBC Sounds.
:{|
|valign="top"|Slogan:||''Music to unwind your mind''
|}
*[[BBC Radio 4]] – news, current affairs, arts, history, original in-house drama, original in-house first-run comedy, science, books and religious programming. The service simulcasts the World Service from 01:00 to 05:20 daily. Available on 92–95 FM, on 103–105 FM, on 198 [[Longwave|LW]] and on digital platforms.
:{|
|valign="top"|Slogan:||''Inquisitive speech radio to make sense of your world''
|}
*[[BBC Radio 4 Extra]] – classic comedy, drama, books, science fiction, fantasy and children's programmes. Also broadcasts [[the Daily Service]]. Originally named BBC Radio 7. Available only on digital platforms.
:{|
|valign="top"|Slogan:||''Journey into the Radio 4 archive''
|}
*[[BBC Radio 5 Live]] – news, current affairs, live sports coverage, phone-ins and talk programming, launched in 1994 as a replacement of the original [[BBC Radio 5 (former)|Radio 5]]. The service is simulcast on [[BBC Local Radio]] stations from 01:00 to 06:00 daily. Available on 693 and 909 MW and on digital platforms.
:{|
|valign="top"|Slogan:||''The voice of the UK - breaking news and live sport'' 
|}
*[[BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra]] – a sister station to Radio 5 Live for additional coverage of sporting events. Available only on digital platforms.
:{|
|valign="top"|Slogan:||''More live sport. Pure live sport.''
|}
*[[BBC Radio 6 Music]] – an eclectic mix of [[alternative music]] and genres, plus news, original in-house live music sessions, original live music concerts and music documentaries. Available only on digital platforms.
:{|
|valign="top"|Slogan:||''Music beyond the mainstream''
|}
*[[BBC Asian Network]] – music and talk for [[British Asians]], plus news, original in-house live music sessions, original live music concerts and music documentaries. Available on digital platforms nationally and medium wave in parts of the English [[Midlands]] and [[Cambridgeshire]].
:{|
|valign="top"|Slogan:||''Celebrating British Asian identity''
|}

===Nations, regions and local stations===
The BBC also operates radio stations for three UK nations: [[BBC Cymru Wales|Wales]], [[BBC Scotland|Scotland]], and [[BBC Northern Ireland|Northern Ireland]]. These stations focus on local issues to a greater extent than their UK-wide counterparts, organising live phone-in debates about these issues, as well as lighter talk shows with music from different decades of the 20th and 21st centuries. Compared to the majority of the UK's commercially funded radio stations, which generally broadcast little beyond contemporary popular music, the BBC's "national regional" stations offer a more diverse range of programming. 
*[[BBC Radio Wales]]: A variety of programming for Wales.
*[[BBC Radio Cymru]]: Programming in [[Welsh language]], with opt-out station [[BBC Radio Cymru 2]].
*[[BBC Radio Scotland]]: A variety of programming for Scotland; it has [[BBC Radio Orkney|Orkney]] and [[BBC Radio Shetland|Shetland]] opt-outs.
*[[BBC Radio nan Gàidheal]]: Programming in [[Scottish Gaelic]] language.
*[[BBC Radio Ulster]]: A variety of programming for Northern Ireland; it has an opt-out station, [[BBC Radio Foyle]].
====Local services====
There are forty [[BBC Local Radio]] services across [[BBC English Regions|England]] and the [[Channel Islands]], often catering to individual [[Counties of England|counties]], cities, or wider regions.<ref name=BBC-LR-2010>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/statements2010/nations_regions/eng_regions.shtml|title=BBC Local Radio in England Policy 2010/2011|publisher=Statements of Programme Policy > [[British Broadcasting Corporation]]|access-date=2 August 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403022647/http://www.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/statements2010/nations_regions/eng_regions.shtml|archive-date=3 April 2012}}</ref>

===World Service===
[[BBC World Service]] is the world's largest international broadcaster,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmselect/cmfaff/334/334.pdf |title=Microsoft Word - The Work of the BBC World Service 2008-09 HC 334 FINAL.doc |access-date=16 February 2011 |archive-date=21 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021001645/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmselect/cmfaff/334/334.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://coalvalleynews.com/view/full_story/1698338/article-World-s-largest-international-broadcaster-visits-city |title=World s largest international broadcaster visits city |publisher=Coal Valley News |access-date=16 February 2011 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110121104750/http://coalvalleynews.com/view/full_story/1698338/article-World-s-largest-international-broadcaster-visits-city |archive-date=21 January 2011 |df=dmy }}</ref> broadcasting in 27 languages to many parts of the world via analogue and digital shortwave, internet streaming and podcasting, satellite, FM and MW relays and simulcast on Radio 4 from 01:00-05:30 BST and Radio Cymru from 00:00-05:30 BST. It is politically independent (by mandate of the Agreement providing details of the topics outlined in the BBC Charter), non-profit, and commercial-free. The English language service had always had a UK listenership on LW and therefore DAB Services allowed, by this popular demand, it to be now available 24/7 for this audience in better quality reception.
{|
|valign="top"|Slogan:||''The World's Radio Station''
|}

===Live BBC News===
A 24-hour news station mixing the flagship news programmes from [[BBC News (British TV channel)|BBC News channel]], Radio 4, 5 Live and World Service available only on BBC Sounds.  <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/help/questions/programme-availability/sounds-live-news | title=Live News on BBC Sounds &#124; BBC Sounds }}</ref>
{|
|valign="top"|Slogan:||''Live news as it breaks from across the BBC''
|}

==Broadcasting==
BBC Radio services are broadcast on various [[FM broadcasting|FM]] and [[AM broadcasting|AM]] frequencies, [[DAB digital radio]] and live streaming on [[BBC Sounds]], which is available worldwide.

They are also available on digital television in the UK, and archived programmes are available for 30 days or more after broadcast on BBC Sounds; many shows are available as podcasts.

===International syndication===
The BBC also syndicates radio and podcast content to radio stations and other broadcasting services around the globe, through its BBC Radio International business, which is part of [[BBC Studios]]. Programmes regularly syndicated by BBC Radio International include: In Concert (live rock music recordings from BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 2, including an archive dating back to 1971); interviews, live sessions and music shows; classical music (including performances from the BBC Proms); spoken word (music documentaries, dramas, readings, features and comedies, mainly from BBC Radio 4) and channels, including BBC Radio 1.

BBC Radio International also provides many services internationally including in-flight entertainment, subscription, and satellite services. BBC Radio International is partnered with Sirius Satellite Radio and [[British Airways]] as well as many other local radio stations.

==Programmes==
{{further|:Category:BBC Radio programmes}}
Throughout its history the BBC has produced many radio programmes. Particularly significant, influential, popular or long-lasting programmes include:
*''[[Any Questions?]]'' (1948–present): Topical debate series.
*''[[The Archers]]'' (1950–present): Long running rural soap opera. Currently{{when|date=September 2022}} the most listened to programme on Radio 4 and on the BBC's online radio service.
*''[[Children's Hour]]'' (1922–1964): Long running slot for children's programmes.
*''[[Desert Island Discs]]'' (1942–present): Interview programme in which the guest chooses the eight pieces of music they would take with them to a desert island. The longest running music radio programme in British history.
*''[[Friday Night Is Music Night]]'' (1953–present): Long running live music show, covering a wide range of music tastes.
*''[[Gardeners' Question Time]]'' (1947–present): Gardening programme in which gardening experts give advice and answer listeners' questions.
*''[[The Goon Show]]'' (1951–1960): Highly influential comedy series with elements of [[surrealism]].
*''[[Hancock's Half Hour]]'' (1954–1960): Influential comedy series which transferred to television.
*''[[The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (radio series)|The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy]]'' (1978–1980 and 2004–2005): Comedy science fiction serial by [[Douglas Adams]].
*''[[I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue]]'' (1972–present): Comedy series parodying the radio panel game format.
*''[[It's That Man Again]]'' (1939–1949): Comedy series popular during and after [[World War II]].
*''[[Journey into Space]]'' (1953–1958): Science fiction series which was the last UK radio programme to achieve a higher audience than television.
*''[[Just a Minute]]'' (1967–present): Long running [[panel game]] where the contestants must attempt to speak for one minute without repetition, hesitation or deviation.
*''[[Letter from America]]'' (1946–2004): Commentary on American news and events by [[Alistair Cooke]]. The longest-running speech radio programme in history.
*''[[The News Quiz]]'' (1977–present): Topical comedy show
*''[[Reith Lecture|The Reith Lectures]]'' (1948–present): Annual series of lectures given by leading figures of the day.
*''[[Round the Horne]]'' (1965–1968): Comedy series notable for its [[innuendo]] and use of the [[gay slang]] [[polari]].
*''[[Sports Report]]'' (1948–present): Saturday sports round-up including the classified [[Association football|football]] results.
*''[[Test Match Special]]'' (1957–present): Live [[cricket]] coverage.
*''[[Today programme]]'' (1957–present): Early morning news and current affairs programme.
*''[[Top Gear (radio show)|Top Gear]]''/''[[John Peel|The John Peel Show]]'' (1965–2004): Pioneering and influential alternative music programme. Originally fronted by [[Brian Matthew]] as a live music show, which featured unique performances by many top names such as [[The Beatles]], [[The Who]] and [[Jimi Hendrix]]. Changed name to simply The John Peel Show in the early 1970s
*''[[Woman's Hour]]'' (1946–present): Long running magazine programme for women.
*''[[Workers' Playtime (radio programme)|Workers' Playtime]]'' (1941–1964): Lunchtime variety show.
*''[[The World at One]]'' (1965–present): Lunchtime news show.

==Expenditure==
{{update section|date=August 2013|reason=These figures are more than 10 years out of date}}
The following expenditure figures are from 2012/13 and show the expenditure of each service they are obliged to provide:<ref name="2012/13 annual report finance expenditure">{{cite web|title=BBC Full Financial Statements 2012/13|url=http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/annualreport/pdf/2012-13/bbc-full-financial-statements-2012-13.pdf|work=BBC Annual Report and Accounts 2012/13|publisher=BBC|access-date=17 August 2013|pages=8–9|year=2013|archive-date=24 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130824015524/http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/annualreport/pdf/2012-13/bbc-full-financial-statements-2012-13.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:BBC 2012-13 Expenditure Radio.png|right|500px|thumb|2012–2013 BBC Radio expenditures of each service it is required to provide]]

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Service !! 2012/13 Total Cost <br />([[Pound sterling|£]]million) !! Comparison with <br />2011/12 (£million)
|- 
|  [[BBC Radio 1]]
| 54.2
| + 3.6
|- 
|  [[BBC Radio 1Xtra]]
| 11.8
| + 0.7
|- 
|  [[BBC Radio 2]]
| 62.1
| + 1.6
|- 
|  [[BBC Radio 3]]
| 54.3
| + 1.8
|- 
| [[BBC Radio 4]] 
| 122.1
| + 6.2
|- 
|  [[BBC Radio 4 Extra]]
| 7.2
| – 1
|- 
|  [[BBC Radio 5 Live]]
| 76
| + 6.7
|- 
|  [[BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra]]
| 5.6
| + 0.3
|- 
| [[BBC Radio 6 Music]]
| 11.5
| – 0.2
|- 
| [[BBC Asian Network]]
| 13
| 0
|- 
|  [[BBC Local Radio]] 
| 152.5
| + 6
|- 
|  [[BBC Radio Scotland]]
| 32.7
| + 0.6
|- 
| [[BBC Radio nan Gàidheal]]
| 6.3
| + 0.3
|- 
| [[BBC Radio Wales]]
| 18.8
| + 1.1
|- 
|  [[BBC Radio Cymru]] 
| 17.6
| + 1.7
|- 
|  [[BBC Radio Ulster]] and [[BBC Radio Foyle]]
| 23.8
| 0
|-
! ''Total''
| 669.5
| + 29.4
|}

== Directors ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Appointed !! Director
|-
|1963|| [[Frank Gillard]]
|-
|1970|| [[Ian Trethowan]]
|-
|1976|| [[P. H. Newby|Howard Newby]]
|-
|1978|| [[Aubrey Singer]]
|-
|1982|| [[Richard Francis (broadcaster)|Richard Francis]]
|-
|1986|| Brian Wenham
|-
|1987|| [[David Hatch]]
|-
|1993|| [[Liz Forgan]]
|-
|1996|| [[Matthew Bannister]]
|-
|1999|| [[Jenny Abramsky]]
|-
|2008|| [[Tim Davie]]
|-
|2013|| [[Helen Boaden]]
|-
|2016
|[[James Purnell]]
|}

==See also==
*{{Portal inline|size=small|BBC}}
*[[BBC Radio Drama Company]]
*[[BBC Radio Drama]]
*[[BBC Television]], BBC domestic television services.
*[[British Broadcasting Company]]
*[[Timeline of the BBC]], for an overview of BBC history.
*[[List of BBC Radio programmes adapted for television]]
*[[NPR]], the closest American correspondent.
*[[CBC Radio]], the Canadian correspondent.
*[[List of songs banned by the BBC]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book | title=The Radio Companion| last=Donovan| first=Paul| year=1991| publisher=HarperCollins| location=London| isbn=0-586-09012-6}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{bbc.co.uk|id=radio|title=BBC Radio}}
{{BBC Radio}}
{{Navboxes|list1=
{{BBC}}
{{Media in the United Kingdom|radio}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bbc Radio}}
[[Category:BBC Radio| ]]
[[Category:Radio broadcasting companies of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Internet radio in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:BBC divisions|Radio]]
[[Category:Peabody Award winners]]
[[Category:Radio during World War II]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1927]]
[[Category:Entertainment companies established in 1927]]
[[Category:1927 establishments in England]]
[[Category:British companies established in 1927]]