The BBC has launched its first ever DAB+ music stations, marking a significant milestone in the history of BBC Radio. The three new station extensions from Radio 1 and Radio 3 are the first to be added to the BBC’s music portfolio since 2002 – when the BBC launched 6 Music, 1Xtra and Asian Network. Radio 1 Anthems, Radio 1 Dance and Radio 3 Unwind successfully launched as streams on BBC Sounds last autumn, attracting new and loyal audiences, and are now available to listen to on DAB+ radio.
The three distinctive new digital stations, approved by UK media regulator Ofcom, ensure the BBC will serve all audiences effectively by offering listeners more choice, particularly those previously underrepresented in the BBC’s offering.
Radio 1’s Dance and Anthems extensions provide younger listeners (with a focus on 15 – 24s) with greater variety in music genres and eras they enjoy, along with established favourite and newly introduced presenting talent. Radio 3 Unwind broadens the audience for classical music in the UK with a schedule designed for younger listeners (35s – 54) than other classical stations and is designed to meet the moods and needs of modern audiences.
Aled Haydn-Jones, Head of Radio 1, says: “I’m delighted to bring Radio 1 listeners not one, but two incredible new genre led networks on DAB+. R1 Dance and R1 Anthems provide a strong and confident offer for younger listeners – delivering more choice and music to match every mood. Both stations bring together the very best expert DJs, rising presenting talent, exciting events and the best of British music for our audiences to discover. More than two decades since the launch of 1Xtra, this marks another exciting chapter in Radio 1’s history as the number one radio station for younger listeners.”
Sam Jackson, Radio 3 Controller says: “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 station offers a wide-ranging selection of calming classical music—perfect for listeners seeking an escape from the demands of daily life. It’s a fresh way to enjoy classical music, designed to be both welcoming and enriching.”
Radio 1 Dance
BBC Radio 1 Dance kicks off its launch week on 15 September with a mix of epic new and archive sets from some of the biggest and best DJs.
From 6pm each night, R1 Dance will feature standout performances that celebrate the best in dance music including the exclusive first play of Carl Cox’s Radio 1 Essential Mix, recorded live at [UNVRS] in Ibiza. There will be another chance to hear the Radio 1 Ibiza Prom which will also be available on BBC iPlayer. Danny Howard will be bringing listeners Radio 1’s Dance Party Warm Up and Eric Prydz and Disclosure both share their Classic Essential Mixes.
Radio 1 Anthems
R1 Anthems gives listeners the greatest songs from the 2000s and 2010s, including hits for every occasion including Workout Anthems and Radio 1’s Chillout Anthems.
Radio 1 Anthems will bring fans of the 00’s and beyond an exciting announcement on Tuesday 16th September on Radio 1 Breakfast with Greg James.
Radio 3 Unwind
BBC Radio 3 Unwind features expert-led wellbeing content, unlike anything heard elsewhere.
The flagship morning programme, Classical Unwind presented by Dr Sian Williams, explores the benefits of how music can support and enhance mental wellbeing.
Listeners can also relax with shows such as Classical Wind Down, presented by Niall Breslin, which blends classical music with mindfulness, and Ultimate Calm, exploring classical music and ambience.
Evening show The Sleeping Forecast pairs soothing sounds with the iconic Radio 4 Shipping Forecast, whilst Cinematic Soundtracks, presented by Edith Bowman, offers escapist film and TV music.
BBC’s commitment to new music and British artists
The new stations reinforce the BBC’s commitment to championing new music and supporting British artists.
Radio 1 Dance showcases the BBC’s investment in dance music, reflecting all sub-genres, from chart toppers to house and drum and bass. The schedule reflects the full range of electronic music and dance trends across the UK and globally.
British artists make up a third of Radio 1 Anthems’ airplay, with a quarter of the tracks unlikely to get regular play on key commercial stations. The new extension plays a broader range of music than any comparable station, with a music policy developed by collaborating with the Student Radio Association and specifically designed to resonate with younger listeners.
Radio 3 Unwind broadcasts exclusive recordings from the BBC’s own orchestras and choirs. Living composers feature throughout the schedule, with a particular focus on both established and emerging home-grown British talent, bringing their music to many more listeners. The station also reflects under-represented composers, including women and ethnically diverse composers. The dedicated new music programme Soundwaves, presented by Afrodeutsche, provides an important platform for contemporary voices including BBC Introducing artists.
Changes in listener habits
The BBC’s decision to launch three stations on DAB+ demonstrates dramatic evolution of the audio landscape over the past decades, with 75% of the population now listening to the radio digitally.
Music streaming dominates among under-35s, who spend just 27% of their audio time with live radio compared to 49% with streaming services. Despite this shift, radio still reaches 13.6 million under-35s each week and remains a key source of music discovery across all age groups.
The rise of new stations on DAB/DAB+ reflects where the majority of live radio listening is projected to take place by 2030.
DAB/DAB+ widely is available covering 97% of the UK population and 87% of major roads. It is also available in 100% of all new cars. 68% of households claim to have a DAB/DAB+ radio.
The growth of BBC Sounds continues to be a key priority for the BBC and the latest quarterly report (April – June) showed a record-breaking 696 million plays of all content across radio, podcasts and music mixes, a 14.5% increase on the previous year.
The new brand extensions will continue to live on BBC Sounds, as well as on DAB+, alongside the rest of our live radio offer.
The BBC’s existing radio services remain broadcasting using the original DAB system rather than the higher bandwidth-efficient DAB+ to which a majority of UK commercial broadcasters have migrated. The universal service obligation means that the BBC cannot disenfranchise listeners who only own DAB receivers, rather than DAB+ sets.
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