UK

The BBC has officially launched three new digital music stations on DAB+ today.

Radio 1 Dance, Radio 1 Anthems and Radio 3 Unwind are now available on DAB+ across the UK, following their debut as streams on BBC Sounds last year.
The plan was to launch five new stations, but BBC Radio 2’s extra service, and an improved 5 Sports Extra station faced objections from Ofcom following campaigns from the commercial radio sector.
Radio 1 Dance offers 24-hour coverage of electronic music from global DJs. The station’s launch week begins on 15 September and features special sets from Carl Cox, Danny Howard, Disclosure and Eric Prydz, alongside highlights such as the Radio 1 Ibiza Prom.
Radio 1 Anthems brings music from the 2000s to the present day, with themed collections including Workout Anthems and Chillout Anthems. A major announcement linked to the station will be revealed on 16 September during Radio 1 Breakfast with Greg James.
Radio 3 Unwind delivers calming classical music with a focus on wellbeing. Dr Sian Williams hosts the morning programme Classical Unwind, while Niall Breslin presents Classical Wind Down.
Edith Bowman fronts Cinematic Soundtracks, and The Sleeping Forecast pairs classical sounds with the iconic Shipping Forecast.
Head of Radio 1 Aled Haydn-Jones said: “R1 Dance and R1 Anthems provide a strong and confident offer for younger listeners – delivering more choice and music to match every mood.”
Radio 3 Controller Sam Jackson added: “Radio 3 Unwind has already been positively received as a stream on BBC Sounds and I’m really pleased to now bring it to a wider audience on DAB+.”
The three stations are the first additions to the BBC’s music portfolio since the launch of 6 Music, 1Xtra and Asian Network in 2002. Ofcom approved the move as part of plans to give audiences more choice and to widen the range of music and voices available on BBC Radio.
The BBC says the launch reflects changes in listening habits, with 75% of the population now tuning in to radio digitally. DAB/DAB+ covers 97% of the UK population and is available in all new cars, while 68% of households own a compatible radio.
The new stations will sit alongside existing networks on DAB+ and continue to be available via BBC Sounds.

#mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width: 600px;}
/* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.
We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ […]

Ofcom has ruled that Castledown FM breached election broadcasting rules by allowing a candidate to present shows during the election period.
The community station, which serves Tidworth, Ludgershall and Perham Down, aired two editions of The Morning Show on Monday hosted by Brian Pratt on 14 and 28 April this year. At the time, Brian was standing as an independent candidate in the Wiltshire local elections for Tidworth North and West.
Election law prohibits candidates from presenting any programmes during the official campaign period, which began on 25 March and ran until polling day on 1 May.
While the 14 April show did not include election-related material, the 28 April edition featured multiple references to voting. These included reminders about polling stations, details of voter ID requirements, guidance on postal and proxy voting, and advice for people with disabilities on how to access support at polling stations.
Ofcom said the content was neutral and factual, but confirmed that Rule 6.6 of the Broadcasting Code was still breached because a nominated candidate presented both programmes. The regulator explained that the rule is in place to avoid any perception of unfair advantage and to protect trust in the democratic process.
Castledown FM accepted the breach, describing it as an “inadvertent oversight” during what it called a period of “significant operational disruption” as the station was relocating studios. The station said it had since “reinforced training and implemented additional checks” to prevent it happening again.
Ofcom noted the station’s cooperation and acknowledged that Brian did not mention his own candidacy or political views on air, but concluded that the rule was “clearly prohibited” regardless of intent or content.
The decision was published in issue 529 of Ofcom’s Broadcast and On Demand Bulletin on 8 September 2025.

#mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width: 600px;}
/* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.
We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ […]

BBC Introducing LIVE events this October will be recorded and broadcast on BBC radio stations across the UK.

The annual showcase supports new and emerging talent with live performances, workshops and open mic sessions in nine cities, while highlights will air on BBC local radio, BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio Scotland.
London hosts the opening event on 2 October at The Lower Third with three live acts curated by BBC Introducing.
A major takeover of BBC Maida Vale Studios follows on 18 October, featuring panels, workshops, an industry feedback centre and open mic slots.
Cardiff will present COPA on 8 October as part of the Cardiff Music City Festival, with Wrkhouse, Adjua and others performing. The event will be broadcast afterwards on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru.
That same week, Liverpool will host a live session recorded for BBC Introducing in Merseyside, airing on 9 October.
Bradford will stage an event on 10 October at the National Science and Media Museum as part of its UK City of Culture 2025 programme, including panels and an open deck for DJs. Glasgow’s event on 11 October, in partnership with Tenement Trail, will showcase seven Scottish acts, with highlights broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland on 17 October.
Lancaster will hold two nights of performances on 11 and 12 October at The Storey, with BBC Radio Lancashire airing highlights. Newcastle’s programme on 14 October will include a panel at The Generator Live Conference and a showcase at The Glasshouse.
Manchester hosts a five-day songwriting workshop from 20 to 24 October, run with PRS for Music and songwriter Jin Jin, ending with a special track played on BBC Introducing. A live gig at Ambers on 22 October will feature Akemi Fox, DellaXOZ and others.
The tour ends in Belfast on 24 October with a live gig at Limelight 2, recorded for BBC Introducing in Northern Ireland.
Since launching, BBC Introducing has supported unsigned musicians through its 23 local radio shows and six national programmes, helping artists such as Ed Sheeran, Sam Fender and Raye. More details are available on the BBC Introducing website.

#mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width: 600px;}
/* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.
We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ […]

Paul Griffiths, known to listeners as Griffo, is heading to YorkMix Radio with a new Sunday show from 4pm to 7pm.
He comes from YO1 Radio which has just appointed Nick Hancock to the breakfast show, previously hosted by Griffo.
He’s also previously worked at Minster FM, Pulse, Viking, Key 103, MFM and many more, plus BBC Radio York and BBC Radio Leeds.
The programme will bring more interaction and local content into what has traditionally been the chart slot, as part of a refreshed weekend schedule.
Managing Director David Green said the addition was a natural fit: “It’s only natural that he should join us as we continue to invest in our weekend schedule and give another well known local voice a position on the station.”
YorkMix Radio, which launched almost five years ago, is broadcast on the North Yorkshire DAB multiplex and focuses on York and the nearby market towns. The station features presenters with strong connections to the region.
Speaking about his return, Griffo said: “I am very excited to be joining the team at YorkMix. They do local properly, the radio station sounds great and it really is at the heart of everything that goes on around York and North Yorkshire.”
Griffo’s first programme will air this Sunday. It comes alongside other new additions including Adam Coggin, previously at Jorvik Radio, who will host a Sunday morning show from 9am to 12, and David Dunning, who begins a new interactive evening slot from 10pm to midnight.

#mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width: 600px;}
/* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.
We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ […]

Greatest Hits Radio is bringing back its Superstars series this month, starting with a special on David Bowie.

The new season begins on Sunday 14 September and will explore the careers of some of music’s most influential performers, including Queen, John Lennon, Pink Floyd and Duran Duran. Each episode features rare recordings, interviews and stories behind the songs that defined different eras.
The first documentary focuses on David Bowie, timed ahead of the release of his final box set ‘I Can’t Give Everything Away’. Narrated by Jackie Brambles and produced by Gimme Sugar Productions, the programme charts Bowie’s impact on pop culture across the 70s, 80s and 90s.
It covers highlights such as his Glastonbury 2000 performance, the 2002 album Heathen, the challenge of balancing new material with a huge back catalogue, and his final record Blackstar in 2016. Archive interviews with Bowie himself feature alongside contributions from long-time collaborator Tony Visconti, PR Alan Edwards and bassist Gail Ann Dorsey.
Jackie Brambles guides listeners through the story with Bowie’s music providing the soundtrack. The series continues with weekly episodes celebrating other legendary artists whose work continues to resonate with generations of listeners.

#mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width: 600px;}
/* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.
We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ […]

Applications have opened for the final round of small-scale DAB radio multiplex licences, covering 40 areas across the UK.

This eighth round marks the last stage of Ofcom’s programme, which has already led to 75 multiplexes going live across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Once complete, the initiative will support more than 100 small-scale multiplexes nationwide.
Each multiplex licence allows community services, specialist music stations and stations aimed at under-served groups to broadcast on digital radio. Ofcom says this expansion is designed to give listeners more choice and to provide opportunities for stations that may not otherwise reach digital audiences.
The new areas now open for applications include towns and regions across all four nations.
Licences are also being re-advertised for several locations where they have not yet been awarded.
Ofcom has set the closing date for applications as 5pm on 10 December this year. In addition to multiplex operators, the regulator is also encouraging applications from organisations who want to provide a Community Digital Sound Programme (C-DSP) service on small-scale DAB.
Areas are:

Aberystwyth
Andover
Armagh
Ballymena
Barnsley
Barnstaple & Bideford
Brecon
Burton-on-Trent & Lichfield
Bury St Edmunds, Thetford & Mildenhall
Cheltenham & Tewkesbury
Chesterfield
Chippenham & Malmesbury
Coleraine
Cookstown & Dungannon
East Cornwall
East Edinburgh & South Forth coast
Falmouth, Penzance & Redruth
Gairloch
Girvan & Cumnock
Grantham & Sleaford
Grimsby
Kilmarnock
Leamington Spa & Stratford-upon-Avon
Mansfield & Worksop
Monmouth
Newbury
Newquay, St Austell & Truro
North Powys
Omagh
Perth
Peterlee
Pitlochry & Aberfeldy
Scunthorpe
Skye & Lochalsh
South Hams
South Powys
Stroud
Telford & Shrewsbury
Tiverton
Ullapool

Plus:

Berwickshire & Roxburgh
Chester
Derby
Dundee & North East Fife
Guildford & Woking
Lincoln
Kintyre, Islay & Jura
South West Fife
South West Sussex
Weymouth & Dorchester

#mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width: 600px;}
/* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.
We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ […]