The BBC has launched its first-ever DAB+ music stations with three new station extensions from Radio 1 and Radio 3, following their successful launch on BBC Sounds as streams last year. The three new digital stations – Radio 1's Dance and Anthems, aimed at 15 to 24 year-olds, and Radio 3 Unwind, aimed at 35 to 54 year-olds – are all approved by Ofcom.
BBC Radio 3 Unwind features 'expert-led wellbeing content, unlike anything heard elsewhere', and continues the BBC's commitment to new music and British artists with exclusive recordings from the BBC's own orchestras and choirs, and broadcasts from living composers and home-grown artists.
Included in the Radio 3 Unwind offering is:
- The flagship morning programme, Classical Unwind, presented by Dr Sian Williams, exploring the benefits of music for mental wellbeing
- Classical Wind Down, presented by Niall Breslin, which blends classical music with mindfulness
- Ultimate Calm, exploring classical music and ambience
- Evening show The Sleeping Forecast, pairing soothing sounds with the Radio 4 Shipping Forecast
- Cinematic Soundtracks, presented by Edith Bowman, which offers film and TV music
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.'
Changes in listener habits
The BBC’s decision to launch three stations on DAB+ reflects an evolution in 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.
