BBC has come a long way. Created in the aftermath of one World War and the conception of another, the BBC was created as the first public radio service in England in 1927. Once used strictly for news, its purpose evolved into a variety show of programming with entertainment for the family. Now BBC radio has split personalities, many of which are marketed for trendy young listeners, while still keeping a serious news source for older generations (most similar to NPR). The BBC family is a unique mix of personalities, so in true posh fashion, let us formally meet the House of BBC.
Radio1: Lowest in number, and probably age in listeners, Radio1 plays today's pop music, where Top 40 playlists meet the "new" new-age movement. It is the type of radio you listen to when you want to stay in the know of popular culture, but want to listen to something cool and obscure to seem hipster. Radio1 is even taking on popularity in the states as their Youtube channel is becoming well-known for popular artists covering and remastering the most popular songs of the moment. Radio1 is very much integrated amongst social media and streaming platforms, because that is where there listenership is. Easiest way to understand Radio1, is that it is the baby of the BBC family.
Radio2: Radio1's elder sibling. Radio2 is BBC's take on adult contemporary. It plays current songs, but keeps a focus on easy listening and light music, in contrast to the loud and brash (depending on your age or taste in music) sound of Radio1. Formerly known as BBC Light Programme, Radio2 was renamed to streamline the BBC family in a ploy for fresh marketing from one of the oldest radio networks in the world.
Radio3: BBC's jazz station was renamed for the same reason as Radio2. Unlike NPR across the pond, the BBC has invested in creating genre specific radio stations to expand listenership. Radio3 plays modern smooth jazz and is marketed toward urban, refined individuals in their 30s, but also for older listeners looking for something other than news or talk to follow.
Radio4: The national station of England. Radio4 is the home programme, delighting listeners with talk radio, domestic news, public service anouncements. Essentially BBC's counterpart to our national coverage NPR based out of New York. The original BBC is what Radio4 is now, essentially.
Radio5 Live: Radio5 Live replaced the former Radio5, a children's network, with a station that is purely sports coverage and news. ESPN radio for footballers and hooligans.
Radio6: With a boom of hipster culture arising globally, BBC digitally offers an all alternative station for the unknown, underground, and obscure to enjoy all the indie entertainment they want. Purely streaming alternative music, Radio 6 is feeding the digital age by bringing new sounds through a new medium.
The BBC family also includes distant relatives like BBC World News Service, for globally broadcasting BBC coverage and channels in Spanish, or with focuses in Wales or the Middle East to accommodate the global community. Just like the actual royal family, this radio brood is just a figure head, still lagging behind in listenership. But like all things American, NPR should take a hint from the British before breaking away to do their own thing.
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