How to Listen to British Radio

British radio first started broadcasting regular shows in 1922 and for years it remained the publics only affordable medium. Memorably Britain crowded around their wirelesses to hear Neville Chamberlain declaration of war on Germany. Nowadays though the medium has had to adapt to the increasing popularity of TV and cinema, and with over 250 stations, British radio appears to of adapted just fine.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Listen to sport on British radio. The main station for popular British sports such as football and big competitions like Wimbledon is BBC radio Five Live and Five Live Extra. Radio 4 LW broadcasts the cricket world cup and England cricket matches. Talk Sport broadcasts sport chat shows.

2. Hear music on British radio. BBC Radio 1 has the latest new music and broadcasts the charts every Sunday. BBC Radio 2 has a eclectic mix but mostly broadcasts popular music from the 60s, 70s and 80s. Classic FM and BBC 3 broadcast classical music and Jazz and Virgin FM is the commercial counterpart of radio 1. The relatively new station BBC radio 6 looks at the cutting edge music of the last 30 years.

3. Catch up with the latest news. When it is not broadcasting sport Radio Five Live is the main news channel, running 24 hour service with regular traffic updates from around the country. Radio 4s long running Today program, transmitted between 6am and 9am, covers all the latest events in expert detail.

4. Listen to the World Service. The BBC World Service transmits around the globe in both English and 33 other languages. It covers both global events and drama.

5. Take in radio drama, comedy or documentaries. Radio 4 is the main station for all three and has sometimes been the showcase for comedies that later appear on television. Including the League of Gentlemen, Hancock's Half Hour and On the Hour. The Archers is the longest running radio soap in the world. BBC Radio 7 showcases most of the new innovative dramas and comedy as well as old shows like the Goon Show and Just a Minute.

6. Tune into a more regional radio station. BBC broadcasts regionally in Scotland, Orkney, Wales (Radio Cymru, Shetland, Northern Ireland (radio Ulster), County Londonerry (Radio Foyle)and also in the Gaelic language (Radio nan Gaidheal). There is also a BBC Asian Network.

Tips & Warnings

• Unfortunately many sporting events are available to only UK listeners.
• You may have to download a BBC radio player to listen to BBC radio online. (see link below)

Resources

• BBC radio
• BBC radio player
• Classic FM
• Virgin Radio
• Talk Sport