The BBC has expanded its digital music offerings with the launch of three new stations on DAB+ radio. Following their successful debut as streams on BBC Sounds in 2024, BBC Radio 1 Dance, Radio 1 Anthems, and Radio 3 Unwind are now available to a wider audience across the UK. This marks the first addition of new music stations to the BBC’s portfolio since 2002.
BBC Radio 1 Dance: 24/7 Dance Music
Launch Date: 15 September 2025
Target Audience: 15–24-year-olds
Format: Electronic dance music, including house, techno, drum and bass
Highlights:
- Exclusive DJ sets, including Carl Cox’s Essential Mix recorded live at [UNVRS] in Ibiza
- Radio 1 Ibiza Prom and Classic Essential Mixes from Eric Prydz and Disclosure
- Danny Howard’s Dance Party Warm Up
Availability: DAB+ across the UK
Radio 1 Dance offers younger listeners a full spectrum of dance music, combining popular tracks with archive and exclusive performances, reflecting the BBC’s commitment to contemporary music trends.
BBC Radio 1 Anthems: Hits from the 2000s to Today
Launch Date: 15 September 2025
Target Audience: 15–24-year-olds
Format: Greatest hits from the 2000s and 2010s
Highlights:
- Workout Anthems and Chillout Anthems playlists
- Special announcement during Radio 1 Breakfast with Greg James on 16 September 2025
Availability: DAB+ across the UK
Radio 1 Anthems celebrates popular tracks from the past two decades, offering a broader range of music than comparable stations, including a strong focus on British artists and emerging talent.
BBC Radio 3 Unwind: Classical Music to Relax Your Mind
Launch Date: 11 September 2025
Target Audience: 35–54-year-olds
Format: Calming classical music blended with wellbeing content
Highlights:
- Classical Unwind, hosted by Dr Sian Williams, explores music and mental wellbeing
- Classical Wind Down with Niall Breslin and Ultimate Calm programs
- The Sleeping Forecast pairs soothing sounds with the Radio 4 Shipping Forecast
- Cinematic Soundtracks hosted by Edith Bowman
Availability: DAB+ across the UK
Radio 3 Unwind introduces a younger audience to classical music with programs designed to enhance relaxation and mindfulness while showcasing British composers and underrepresented voices.
BBC’s Commitment to New Music and Diversity
The launch of these stations reinforces the BBC’s dedication to:
- Championing new music and supporting British artists
- Offering genre-specific content for younger audiences
- Providing wellbeing-focused classical programming for modern listeners
BBC Radio 1 Dance highlights electronic sub-genres from around the world, while Radio 1 Anthems dedicates a third of its playlist to British artists. Radio 3 Unwind features both established and emerging composers, including women and ethnically diverse talent.
Digital Radio Trends and Listener Habits
DAB/DAB+ reaches 97% of the UK population and is installed in all new cars, reflecting the shift toward digital radio listening. Despite the rise of streaming among under-35s, live radio still engages 13.6 million younger listeners weekly, maintaining its role as a key platform for music discovery.
The BBC’s expansion into DAB+ ensures these new stations complement both BBC Sounds streaming and traditional radio offerings.
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