List of years in British radio

The following is a list ofyears related to the inde xing of British radio.Each year is annotated as a reference point.

1910s

• 1916 in British radio–
• 1917 in British radio–
• 1918 in British radio–
• 1919 in British radio–

1920s

• 1920 in British radio– January - The first informal and spasmodic broadcasts in the United Kingdom are made by theMarconi CompanyfromChelmsfordin England. These broadcasts include both speech and music.
• 1921 in British radio–
• 1922 in British radio– TheBritish Broadcasting Companyis formed and on 14 November, the UK's first BBC broadcasts fromLondon(station2LO) take place.
• 1923 in British radio– First outside broadcast, the British National Opera Company's production ofThe Magic FlutefromCovent Garden.
• 1924 in British radio–
• 1925 in British radio– First broadcasts from the long waveDaventry transmitting stationand station 5XX becomes the first British radio station to achieve near national coverage: the first step in the establishment of theBBC National Programme.
• 1926 in British radio–
• 1927 in British radio– The British BroadcastingCompanybecomes the British BroadcastingCorporation,when it is granted a Royal Charter; First live sports broadcast on the BBC, arugby unioninternational. The first football commentary takes place a week later.
• 1928 in British radio– The first edition ofThe Daily Serviceis broadcast. It was originally calledA Short Religious Servicebut was renamedThe Daily Servicelater in the year
• 1929 in British radio– First broadcast ofWeek in Westminster.

1930s

• 1930 in British radio– The majority of the BBC's existing radio stations are regrouped to form theBBC National Programmeand theBBC Regional Programme.
• 1931 in British radio–
• 1932 in British radio– TheEmpire Service(precursor of theWorld Service) launches, broadcasting onshortwavefrom Daventry'sBorough Hill;King George V becomes the first monarch to deliver aChristmas Day messageby radio.
• 1933 in British radio–
• 1934 in British radio– The new high-power longwave transmitter atDroitwichtakes over fromDaventry 5XXas the main station radiating theBBC National Programme.
• 1935 in British radio–
• 1936 in British radio– TheLisnagarveytransmitter begins service, broadcasting theNorthern Ireland Regional Programme of the BBC.
• 1937 in British radio– TheBBCmakes its first outside broadcast when it covers theCoronation of King George VI and Queen ElizabethatWestminster AbbeyinLondon;Following the alteration of frequencies at theBBC'sWashford transmitterto enable it to radiate separate regional services for Wales and the West of England, a newWelsh Regional Programmebegins.
• 1938 in British radio–
• 1939 in British radio– TheBBC Home Servicestarts broadcasting at the outbreak of theSecond World War.

1940s

• 1940 in British radio– TheBBC Forces Programmelaunches; First broadcast ofSunday Half Hour.
• 1941 in British radio–
• 1942 in British radio– First broadcast ofDesert Island Discs.
• 1943 in British radio–Forces Broadcasting Servicebegins broadcasting.
• 1944 in British radio–
• 1945 in British radio– TheBBC Light Programmestarts broadcasting; First broadcast ofToday in Parliament.
• 1946 in British radio– TheBBC Third Programmelaunches and theBBC General Forces Programmecloses; First broadcast ofDown Your Way,Letter from AmericaandWoman's Hour.
• 1947 in British radio– First broadcast ofRound Britain Quiz.
• 1948 in British radio– First broadcast ofAny Questions?andSports Report.
• 1949 in British radio– First broadcast ofA Book at Bedtime.

1950s

• 1950 in British radio– First broadcast ofThe ArchersandListen with Mother.
• 1951 in British radio–
• 1952 in British radio– All UK radio stations enter obituary mode following thedeath of King George VI.
• 1953 in British radio– TheCoronation of Queen Elizabeth IIis broadcast on theBBC Home ServiceandBBC Light Programme,with seven hours of coverage provided.
• 1954 in British radio– First broadcast ofChildren's Favourites.
• 1955 in British radio– Opening of the UK's firstVHF/FMtransmitter; first broadcast ofFrom Our Own Correspondent.
• 1956 in British radio–
• 1957 in British radio– First broadcast ofThe Today ProgrammeandTest Match Special.
• 1958 in British radio–
• 1959 in British radio– First broadcast ofThe Navy Lark,Sing Something SimpleandYour Hundred Best Tunes.

1960s

• 1960 in British radio– First broadcast ofFarming Today.
• 1961 in British radio–
• 1962 in British radio– First broadcast ofThe Men from the Ministry.
• 1963 in British radio–
• 1964 in British radio– The off-shore pirate stationRadio Carolinegoes on air as doesManx Radio,theIsle of Man's national radio station; first broadcast ofI'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again.
• 1965 in British radio– First broadcast ofThe World at One,Petticoat LineandRound the Horne.
• 1966 in British radio–Terry Woganmakes his UK broadcasting debut onBBC Light Programme;the first regular stereo radio transmissions begin; Pirate stationSwinging Radio Englandgoes on air.
• 1967 in British radio– The UK Parliament passes theMarine Broadcasting Offences Act 1967making it illegal for a British subject to be associated with off-shore pirate radio; the BBC's national stations are relaunched andBBC Radio 1starts broadcasting;BBC Local Radiolaunches inLeicester;first broadcast ofThe Official Chart,The Radio 2 Breakfast ShowandJust a Minute.
• 1968 in British radio–BBC Radio Nottinghamhosts the UK's first ever radio phone-in.;First broadcast ofThe Living World.
• 1969 in British radio–Annie Nightingalemakes her debut onBBC Radio 1and is the station's first female presenter; first broadcast ofWaggoners' WalkandThe Organist Entertains.

1970s

• 1970 in British radio–United Biscuitslaunches its own radio station,United Biscuits Network,which is broadcast round the clock to the company's four factories; First broadcast ofPM,The World TonightandYou and Yours.
• 1971 in British radio– TheOpen Universitybegins broadcasts on theBBC;First broadcast ofLines from My Grandfather's Forehead.
• 1972 in British radio– TheIndependent Broadcasting Authorityis formed, paving the way for the launch ofIndependent Local Radio;A decision by the government to restrict the BBC to twenty local radio stations, the corporation closesBBC Radio Durhamand its resources are transferred toCarlislewhere BBC Radio Carlisle, laterBBC Radio Cumbria,is launched; First broadcast ofMilligna (or Your Favourite Spike)andI'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue.
• 1973 in British radio– The first commercial radio stations start broadcasting, with London'sLBCthe first to go on air on 8 October, followed eight days later by the launch ofCapital Radio;First broadcast ofThe Foundation Trilogy,Kaleidoscope,NewsbeatandHello Cheeky.
• 1974 in British radio– Independent Local radio expands into mote areas with the launches ofBRMB,Piccadilly Radio,Metro Radio,Swansea Sound,Radio Hallam,Radio City;Regular programmes for the Black and Asian communities launch on BBC Local radio stations in London and Leicester respectively.
• 1975 in British radio–BBC Radio Ulsterbegins broadcasting; First broadcast ofThe News HuddlinesandGood Morning Ulster.
• 1976 in British radio–Independent Local Radiobegins inNorthern IrelandwhenDowntown Radio,begins broadcasting to theBelfastarea; First broadcast ofQuote... UnquoteandThe Burkiss Way.
• 1977 in British radio–BBC Radio Cymrubegins broadcasting; First broadcast ofMoney Box,The News QuizandSport on Four.
• 1978 in British radio–BBC Radio WalesandBBC Radio Scotlandbegin broadcasting, the BBC's national radio stations change their MW and LW frequencies; First broadcast ofThe Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy,Good Morning WalesandGood Morning Scotland.
• 1979 in British radio–BBC Radio 2starts 24-hour broadcasting, having previously closed down between 2am and 5am;United Biscuits Networkcloses after nine years on air; First broadcast ofScience in Action,Feedback,The Food Programme,Breakaway.

1980s

• 1980 in British radio–CBCinCardiffbecomes the first of the second tranche ofIndependent Local Radiostations to start broadcasting and is the first new ILR station since 1976; First broadcast ofRadio Active.
• 1981 in British radio– First broadcast ofSteve Wright in the Afternoon.
• 1982 in British radio– Regional programming onBBC Radio 4ends; Last broadcast ofListen with MotherandJunior Choice.
• 1983 in British radio– First broadcast ofIn BusinessandSounds of the 60s.
• 1984 in British radio– The BBC conducts five trials of community stations inGreater Manchester.Each trial, which covers a specific area of Greater Manchester, lasts for a few weeks; First broadcast ofDelve Special.
• 1985 in British radio–Ranking Miss Pbecomes Radio 1's first black presenter; First broadcast ofAfter HenryandPirate Radio Four.
• 1986 in British radio– TheHome Officesanctions six experiments of split programming onIndependent Local Radio;First broadcast ofLoose Endsand Last broadcast ofPirate Radio Four.
• 1987 in British radio–BBC Radio 1starts broadcasting on FM inLondon;First broadcast ofFlying the FlagandCitizensand Last broadcast ofRadio ActiveandDelve Special.
• 1988 in British radio–BBC Radio 1starts broadcasting on FM in many areas of the UK; local commercial stations start introducing gold services on their MW frequencies; Launch of theRadio Data System;First broadcast ofThe Big Fun Show,Whose Line Is It Anyway?,Saturday Night FryandThe Beeb's Lost Beatles Tapes.
• 1989 in British radio–BBC Radio Wiltshirelaunches, First broadcast ofThe Mary Whitehouse Experienceand Last broadcast ofAfter Henry.

1990s

• 1990 in British radio– Launch ofBBC Radio 5using the MW frequencies ofBBC Radio 2,which thereby becomes the first national station in the UK broadcast only on FM; First broadcast ofAnd Now in Colour,Jazz Parade,Flywheel, Shyster, and Flywheel,The Moral MazeandFormula Five.
• 1991 in British radio–The Radio Authoritysucceeds theIndependent Broadcasting Authorityas the UK's commercial radio regulator;Radio 4 News FMprovides rolling news coverage throughout theGulf War;Radio 1 becomes a 24-hour station, having previously closed down overnight; First broadcast ofEssential Selection,On the Hourand6-0-6.
• 1992 in British radio– The UK's first national commercial radio station,Classic FM,starts broadcasting,BBC Radio 3stops broadcasting on MW; First broadcast ofNo Commitments,Room 101,The Mark Steel SolutionandKnowing Me Knowing You with Alan Partridgeand Last broadcast ofDown Your Way,Flying the Flag,Flywheel, Shyster, and FlywheelandOn the Hour.
• 1993 in British radio–Virgin 1215starts broadcasting; First broadcast ofWake Up to Wogan,The Masterson Inheritance,The Pepsi Chart,Essential MixandHarry Hill's Fruit Cornerand Last broadcast ofJazz ParadeandKnowing Me Knowing You with Alan Partridge;final broadcast ofSteve Wright in the Afternoonon Radio 1.
• 1994 in British radio– BBC Radio 5 is relaunched asBBC Radio Five Live,the first regional commercial stations start broadcasting; Radio 1 stops broadcasting onmediumwave;First broadcast ofWake Up to Money,Up All Night,Collins and Maconie's Hit Parade,Julie Enfield Investigates,Lee and HerringandAlan's Big Oneand Last broadcast ofRoom 101andFormula Five;Steve Wrightbegins presentingThe Radio 1 Breakfast Show.
• 1995 in British radio– The UK's first national commercial speech stationTalk Radiostarts broadcasting; First broadcast ofPrivate Passions,Sunday Night at 10andChange at Oglethorpeand Last broadcast ofThe Masterson Inheritance,Lee and HerringandAlan's Big One;Chris Evanssucceeds Steve Wright as presenter ofThe Radio 1 Breakfast Show.
• 1996 in British radio– First broadcast ofChambers,Comedy Quiz,The David Jacobs CollectionandParkinson's Sunday Supplementand Last broadcast ofChange at OglethorpeandThe Mark Steel Solution.
• 1997 in British radio– AfterChris EvansleavesThe Radio 1 Breakfast Showthe show is presented byMark and Lardfor a few months, then byZoe BallandKevin Greening;Chris Evans joins Virgin Radio and begins hosting a rival breakfast show on the same day Ball and Greening start theirs; Evans's Ginger Media Group subsequently buys Virgin fromRichard Branson;First broadcast ofBlue JamandWestwayand Last broadcast ofHarry Hill's Fruit Corner,Collins and Maconie's Hit ParadeandComedy Quiz.
• 1998 in British radio– An overhaul of theBBC Radio 2schedule sees several new presenters join the network;John Dunnretires as presenter of Radio 2's Drivetime programme and is succeeded byJohnnie Walker;first broadcast ofPopMaster,Kevin Greening leavesThe Radio 1 Breakfast Show,leaving Zoe Ball to present the show by herself;Virgin Radiobegins simulcasting an hour of its breakfast show content withSky One;Last broadcast ofWeek Ending,Kaleidoscope,BreakawayandDance Band Days.
• 1999 in British radio– Launch of theDigital Onemultiplex; Britain's first £1m prize is given away on a segment of Chris Evans's Virgin breakfast show;Steve Wright in the Afternoonreturns on BBC Radio 2 six years after programme's final broadcast on BBC Radio 1; Birmingham stationBRMBstages the controversialTwo Strangers and a Weddingcompetition;Cliff Richard's singleThe Millennium Prayerreachesnumber one in the UK chartsdespite being banned from the playlist of many radio stations; Last broadcast ofJulie Enfield Investigates.

2000s

• 2000 in British radio– The first annualBBC Radio 2 Folk Awardsare held;Chris Evanssells hisGinger Media GrouptoSMG plcfor £225m;Zoe BallleavesThe Radio 1 Breakfast Showand is succeeded bySara Cox;First broadcast ofSounds of the 70sandThe Jo Whiley Show.
• 2001 in British radio–Compass FMlaunches, Chris Evans is sacked by Virgin Radio for poor timekeeping;Saga 105.7 FM,the first radio station aimed at an over-50 listening audience, is launched in Birmingham.
• 2002 in British radio–BBC 6 Musiclaunches on 11 March,BBC 1Xtraon 16 August, andBBC 7on 15 December;Jimmy Youngleaves Radio 2 after 30 years as its lunchtime presenter; Last broadcast ofThe Pepsi Chart.
• 2003 in British radio–Jeremy VinesucceedsJimmy Youngas Radio 2's lunchtime presenter; Death ofAlan Keithwho, at 94, is Britain's oldest and longest serving radio presenter; Launch ofSaga 106.6 FMin Nottingham.
• 2004 in British radio–Ofcomtakes over the regulation of British radio fromThe Radio Authority;Chris Moylestakes over thebreakfast showonRadio 1,whileScott Millstakes over as presenter of the network'sdrivetime show;100.7 Heart FMpresenterTushar Makwanadies in hospital following ahit-and-runincident during a botched robbery attempt at his home; Final broadcast ofLetter from America,radio's longest-running speech programme.
• 2005 in British radio–BBC Radio 3twice clears its schedule to devote several days to the music of a single composer, withLudwig van BeethovenandJohan Sebastian Bach;London's102.2 Jazz FMcloses after fifteen years on air and is replaced by102.2 Smooth FM;The UK's firstIslamicradio station, Islam Radio, is established inBradford,West Yorkshire.
• 2006 in British radio–GMG Radioacquires theSaga Radio Group;Chris EvanssucceedsJohnnie Walkeras presenter ofRadio 2 Drivetime;Last broadcast ofIt's Been a Bad Week.
• 2007 in British radio– All Saga stations are relaunched as Smooth Radio, with the London and Manchester Smooth FM stations also rebranding to Smooth Radio;Classic GoldandCapital Goldmerge to createGold;TheRNIBlaunchesInsight Radio,Europe's first radio station for blind and partially sighted listeners; Last broadcast ofParkinson's Sunday Supplement.
• 2008 in British radio– Virgin Radio is rebranded asAbsolute Radiofollowing its acquisition byTimes of India;GMG RadiorelaunchesJazz FMon DAB.
• 2009 in British radio–Terry Woganpresents his final edition ofWake Up to Woganafter announcing his plans to leave theRadio 2 Breakfast Show;Sunday Night at 10presenterMalcolm Laycockleaves Radio 2 following a disagreement with his producer over programme content, and is succeeded byClare Teal.

2010s

• 2010 in British radio–Smooth Radiois relaunched as a national station on DAB;Chris Evanstakes over as Radio 2 breakfast presenter withThe Chris Evans Breakfast Show,whileSimon MayobecomesDrivetimepresenter; First Broadcast ofWeekend Wogan.
• 2011 in British radio– BBC 7 is relaunched asBBC Radio 4 Extra;Simon BatesjoinsSmooth Radioto presentSimon Bates at Breakfastand resurrects hisOur Tunefeature; Launch ofSmooth 70sandAbsolute Radio 70s;Last broadcast ofThe Jo Whiley Showon Radio 1.
• 2012 in British radio–GMG Radio(owners of Smooth andReal Radio) is acquired byGlobal Radio(the owner of stations such asCapitalandHeart); Birmingham'sBRMBand several sister stations are rebranded under theFree Radiobanner.
• 2013 in British radio–Smooth 70sis closed after nearly two years on air; First broadcast ofSounds of the 80sand last broadcast ofThe David Jacobs CollectionasDavid Jacobsleaves Radio 2.
• 2014 in British radio–Jazz FMstops broadcasting nationally on DAB from New Year's Day, but continues to air in London; London'sLBCis launched as a national talk station on DAB; Smooth Radio is relaunched as a number of local stations; Simon Bates leaves Smooth after three years;London One Radiois launched to cater for London's Italian community.
• 2015 in British radio–Magiclaunches onDigital One;The VIP Loungelaunches as an online station for blind and partially sighted listeners;Ken Brucecelebrates 30 years with Radio 2 and Last Broadcast ofWeekend Wogan.
• 2016 in British radio– Launch of the second digital multiplex;Jazz FMreturns to broadcasting nationally on DAB;Wireless GrouplaunchesVirgin Radio UK;Insight Radiois rebranded asRNIB Connect Radio;Robbie Shepherdretires as host ofBBC Radio Scotland’sTake the Floorshow after presenting for 35 years;Terry Wogandies aged 77.
• 2017 in British radio–Radio Carolineis granted anOfcomlicence to broadcast on mediumwave to Sussex and North Essex;Nigel FaragejoinsLBCto presentThe Nigel Farage Show;First broadcast ofBrexitcast.
• 2018 in British radio–Eddie Mairleaves Radio 4'sPMprogramme and moves toLBCto present a Drivetime show;Chris EvansandSimon Mayoleave Radio 2; First broadcast ofRadio 1 Breakfast with Greg Jamesand Last broadcast ofThe Sunday Hour.
• 2019 in British radio–John Humphrysretires as presenter ofRadio 4'sTodayprogramme;Zoe Balltakes over as presenter ofThe Radio 2 Breakfast ShowwhileSara Coxbegins presenting Radio 2 Drivetime;Chris EvansjoinsVirgin Radio UKto present the Breakfast Show;Simon MayojoinsScala Radioand is its inaugural presenter;The Danny Baker Showcomes to an end after Baker is fired from BBC Radio 5 Live;Brexitcastbegins airing on television in a late night Thursday slot onBBC Onewhile continuing to air on radio.

2020s

• 2020 in British radio– The BBC announces major changes to the schedule across the network due to theCOVID-19 pandemic;Rhod Sharpsteps down as presenter of BBC Radio Five Live'sUp All Nightafter presenting the programme since its launch in 1994; All regionalSam FMstations along with many other local English commercial stations becomeGreatest Hits Radio;Compass FMcloses down for the same reason after 19 years;Radio Carolinebroadcasts theQueen's Christmas Messagefor the first time, 56 years after its first request to do so was turned down; First broadcast ofSounds of the 90sand last broadcast ofBrexitcast.
• 2021 in British radio–Woman's Hourcelebrates its 75th year with a special message fromThe Queen;Boom Radiois launched to targetbaby boomers;UK radio stations enter obituary mode following thedeath of Prince Philipon 9 April; The firstDABmultiplex for the Channel Islands begins broadcasting;Nick GrimshawleavesBBC Radio 1after 14 years with the station;RAJARpublishes its first set of post-COVID audience figures following an 18-month hiatus; ComedianIain Leelaunches the online stationRadio Anywhere;Janice Longdies aged 66; The recording and release of many radio programmes are expected to be delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 2022 in British radio– Permanent small-scale DAB multiplexes begin to go on air; The first full-time radio simulcast of a TV station begins whenGB News Radiois launched on Digital One; Plans are announced to closeBBC Radio 4's long wave service,BBC Radio 5 Live's medium wave frequency andBBC Radio 4 Extraas a cost-saving measure;The Queen's Platinum Jubileeis celebrated on radio;Boom Radiolaunches the companion stationBoom Light;Steve Wright in the Afternoonends after 41 years, with a mid-90s break of six years, on air; All UK radio stations enter obituary mode second year running following thedeath of Queen Elizabeth IIon 8 September.
• 2023 in British radio– Figures released by BBC Sounds show there were 57.7 million listens to its content between 20 December 2022 and 2 January 2023;Absolute Radiostops broadcasting on MW;BRMBis relaunched in Birmingham; BroadcasterPaul O'Gradydies suddenly, aged 67; Changes are implemented inBBC Local Radioleading to greater networking of shows and the departure of many long-standing and well-known presenters; Commercial radio in the UK marks its 50th anniversary.
• 2024 in British radio– Launch ofBoom Rock,which recreates the voice ofTommy Vanceusingartificial intelligence;the BBC announces the launch of four new national DAB stations and draws criticism from the commercial sector; BBC Radio 4's long wave opt-outs will end ahead of the switching-off of the station's long wave signal;Steve Wrightdies suddenly, aged 69.

Timelines of radio by history

Radio stations

• Timeline of the BBC
  • Timeline of BBC Local Radio
  • Timeline of BBC Radio London
  • Timeline of BBC Radio 1
  • Timeline of BBC Radio 2
  • Timeline of BBC Radio 3
  • Timeline of BBC Radio 4
  • Timeline of BBC Radio 5 Live
  • Timeline of the BBC World Service
• Timeline of Absolute Radio
• Timeline of Capital Radio
• Timeline of Classic FM
• Timeline of the Heart Radio Network
• Timeline of Hits Radio
• Timeline of Kiss
• Timeline of Magic
• Timeline of Smooth Radio

Radio companies

• Timeline of Bauer Radio
• Timeline of Global Radio

Cities

• Timeline of radio in London
• Timeline of radio in Manchester

Other

• Timeline of BBC Radio News
• Timeline of digital audio broadcasting in the UK
• Timeline of independent radio in the United Kingdom