An introduction to radio in the UK

Half our stations are commercial-free? It's highly unusual, and typically British...

Radio in the UK is provided by the BBC and commercial radio companies, and is broadcast on AM, FM, and a variety of digital platforms.

The past ten years have seen a significant growth in the number of radio stations in the UK, with over a hundred new analogue (MW and FM) stations coming on air.

Type of station	Analogue MW (AM)	Analogue FM (VHF)	Total analogue*	DAB Digital Radio	Total analogue and DAB*
Local commercial	59	213	272**	159	289
UK-wide commercial	2	1	3	8	8
BBC UK-wide networks	1	4	5	11	11
BBC Local and Nations	36	46	46	32	46
Total	98	264	326	210	354

* excludes double-counting of stations simulcasting on more than one platform or waveband
** There are 272 analogue licences, but five of the licences each broadcast two separate services (Trent FM / Ram FM, Chiltern Luton / Chiltern Bedford, Ocean FM / Power FM, Wirral’s Buzz 97.1 / MFM 103.4, Radio Carmarthenshire / Scarlet FM)
Source: Ofcom, December 2004

Of the 159 local digital commercial radio stations on DAB digital radio, 17 are only on digital and 14 broadcast existing local analogue services to new areas.

In addition to DAB, there are 85 digital radio stations on digital satellite television and 30 digital radio stations on digital terrestrial television. There are also 122 long-term RSL analogue radio services and community radio is about to launch on a permanent basis.

The BBC

The BBC The BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) is perhaps the most famous radio broadcaster in the world. Its five national networks (Radios 1,2,3,4 and 5-Live), five digital national networks (Asian Network, 6music, BBC7, 5-Live Sports Extra, 1Xtra), combined with its three 'nations' services (Radio Scotland, Ulster and Wales) and 43 local radio stations in England, make up over 50% of all radio listening. The BBC's domestic radio services are funded by the television licence, which is (February 2005) charged at £121 (€175, $229) per year. The BBC does not broadcast advertisements.

The BBC World Service is audible through much of the UK on medium-wave, and also broadcasts via satellite and short-wave throughout the world. It is funded by the British Government, but retains editorial impartiality.

Commercial Radio

Commercial radio stations, as the name suggests, are funded by commercials, promotions and sponsorship. There are three national services - (Classic FM, Virgin Radio and Talk Sport), around ten 'regional' services (generally covering three major cities) and 170 local services. In general, most cities have one FM service and one AM service, although major cities (London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Glasgow) have a wider choice of commercial listening. Independent local radio usually serves a smaller area than BBC local radio. Licences are normally renewed every seven years, with existing stations having to bid for their licence (in terms of programme quality, content, and a full business plan) against new competitors. Nearly all commercial radio stations are regulated by Ofcom.

Finally, there are over 100 temporary radio stations per year. Temporary radio stations (called 'restricted service licences' by Ofcom) are used for three main reasons -special events (the Glastonbury Festival), football clubs (Radio Latics) and monthly stations (either used by licence-wannabies or student stations). An RSL station can usually only broadcast for 28 days every six months.

Differences between the UK and USA

Geographical closeness of cities in the UK mean that the amount of choice, in terms of sheer number of radio stations, is limited on analogue when compared to the US. However, obligations placed on Ofcom and its predecessors of 'increasing listener choice' has resulted in a wider variety of radio genres and formats than is available in much of the US.

Europe uses different AM frequencies - there are no stereo broadcasts on AM, so stations are 9kHz apart, instead of the US's 10.

The Ibiquity 'HD Radio' standard is not used within the UK, and digital broadcasting occurs on separate frequencies using the Eureka 147 standard (known as DAB Digital Radio).


Credits: Media UK, "The Lion", Ofcom