BBC Radio 2 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
BBC Radio 2

Logo used since 2022
London and Manchester
Broadcast area	United Kingdom and Internationally via Satellite and BBC Sounds
Frequencies	FM: 88.1–90.2 MHz DAB: 12B (BBC National DAB) Freeview: 702 Freesat: 702 Sky (UK only): 0102 Virgin Media: 902 Virgin Media Ireland: 908 Astra 2E (28.2°E) Intelsat 901 (18°W)
RDS	BBC R2
Programming
Language(s)	English
Format	Adult contemporary music Various specialist music programmes
Ownership
Owner	BBC
Sister stations	BBC Radio 6 Music
History
First air date	30 September 1967; 57 years ago (1967-09-30)
Former call signs	BBC Light Programme
Former frequencies	LW: 200 kHz (1967–1978) AM: 693 & 909 kHz (1978–1990)
Links
Webcast	BBC Sounds

BBC Radio 2 is a very popular radio station in the United Kingdom. It is owned by the BBC, which is the UK's public broadcaster. More than 15 million people listen to BBC Radio 2 every week, making it the most listened-to station in the country!

Since it started in 1967, Radio 2 has played a huge variety of music. They say they play "the widest selection of music on the radio." This includes classic pop, modern hits, and special shows for different music styles like classical, country, folk, jazz, and rock 'n' roll.

You can listen to Radio 2 across the UK on FM radio (between 88.1 MHz and 90.2 MHz). It also broadcasts on DAB digital radio, digital TV, and through the BBC Sounds app. The main studios are in Wogan House in London.

History of BBC Radio 2

How it Started: 1967–1986

BBC Radio 2 began broadcasting on 30 September 1967. It took over from an older station called the BBC Light Programme. Some music shows from the Light Programme moved to the new BBC Radio 1.

The very first show on Radio 2 was Breakfast Special with Paul Hollingdale. The first song ever played on Radio 2 was from the 1965 film The Sound of Music.

In the early years, Radio 1 and Radio 2 often played similar music. Radio 1 was for younger listeners who liked music from "pirate radio" stations (which were illegal stations broadcasting from ships). Radio 2 became known for playing a mix of laid-back pop, rock, folk, country, jazz, and older songs. It also had lots of comedy and sports.

Famous presenters in the 1970s and 1980s included Terry Wogan, Ken Bruce, Jimmy Young, and John Dunn. Back then, Radio 2 played a lot of specially recorded music. This was because of rules that limited how much recorded music they could play.

In 1979, Radio 2 became the first national radio station in the UK to broadcast 24 hours a day. In the early 1980s, some presenters like Kenny Everett started playing more modern pop music.

Changes in the 1980s and 1990s

In 1986, the station decided to change its focus. It aimed to appeal mainly to listeners over 50 years old. They brought in older presenters and played more nostalgic, easy-listening music.

Because of these changes, some presenters like David Hamilton left. The audience numbers for Radio 2 went down. Many younger listeners who used to enjoy both Radio 1 and Radio 2 stopped listening.

In 1990, Radio 2 lost its medium wave frequencies. This happened when a new station, BBC Radio 5, was launched. Sports coverage also moved from Radio 2 to the new station. At the same time, new commercial radio stations started playing classic pop and rock.

By 1992, Radio 2 adjusted its music policy slightly. They played less music from before the 1950s during weekdays. They also reduced the amount of light classical music after Classic FM started. The return of Terry Wogan in 1993 helped boost Radio 2's popularity again.

"The Nation's Favourite": 1996 Onwards

In 1996, James Moir took over the station. He changed Radio 2 to play more album-oriented rock and contemporary music during the day. This was for a more grown-up audience than Radio 1, but still included new music. Evenings had more specialist shows hosted by experts in different music styles.

Many well-known presenters from Radio 1 moved to Radio 2 around this time. Today, Radio 2 has the most listeners of any station in the UK. Its schedule features popular broadcasters like Steve Wright, Zoe Ball, Sara Cox, Jeremy Vine, and Scott Mills.

In 2007, Jeff Smith, who used to be in charge of music at Radio 1, became the new head of music for Radio 2.

In 2013, Radio 2 changed its "sonic logo" (a short musical sound) for the first time in 15 years. A British composer named Jem Godfrey created a new seven-note tune.

Radio 2 has also created special "pop-up" digital radio stations for big events. For example, BBC Radio 2 Eurovision covered the Eurovision Song Contest. They also had BBC Radio 2 Country for country music and BBC Radio 2 50s for music from the 1950s.

In 2018, there were many changes to the presenters. Simon Mayo and Jo Whiley hosted the drivetime show together, but it wasn't very popular. Simon Mayo then left the station. Sara Cox became the new drivetime host in January 2019.

Also in 2018, Chris Evans announced he was leaving the The Radio 2 Breakfast Show. He was replaced by Zoe Ball in January 2019.

In 2022, Radio 2's annual music festival, Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park, was planned for Leeds. However, it was cancelled because of the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

What Radio 2 is Like Today

Radio 2's main audience is adults over 35. However, more young people have started listening recently. During the day, they play music from the 1960s right up to today's chart hits. They also play album tracks and indie music.

The station offers a wide range of shows. Daytime programmes are easy to listen to, while evenings have more specialist music shows. These include shows about jazz, folk, blues, country, reggae, and classic rock. Radio 2 also works with the BBC Concert Orchestra and the BBC Big Band.

Popular weekend shows include Sounds of the 60s on Saturdays and Johnnie Walker's Sounds of the 70s on Sundays. Sounds of the 80s is also a popular show.

On Sundays, the schedule goes back to an older style. It focuses on easy listening and show tunes, with programmes like Elaine Paige on Sunday.

Radio 2 doesn't play full classical music pieces or have deep discussions about drama. But it still has some book readings, comedy, and arts coverage. Jeremy Vine's weekday lunchtime show talks about current events and consumer issues in a relaxed way.

Like all BBC radio stations in the UK, Radio 2 is paid for by the television licence fee. This means it does not have any advertisements.

The Greenwich Time Signal (also known as "the pips") is broadcast at certain times each day. These are short beeps that tell you the exact time.

Radio 2 moved its studios in 2006 to Wogan House in London. While most shows come from London, some are broadcast from other cities like Birmingham and Manchester. For example, the weekday overnight show is broadcast from Salford, near Manchester.

The BBC has announced that Radio 2 will move to new studios inside the main BBC Broadcasting House in London by spring 2024.

Radio 2 broadcasts news updates every hour. Shorter headline updates are given every half-hour during the morning shows on weekdays.

Current Presenters

Stand-in Presenters

These presenters fill in for others when they are away.

Travel Presenters

These presenters give traffic and travel updates.

• Richie Anderson (weekday mornings)
• Bobbie Pryor (weekday afternoons)
• Sally Boazman (weekends)
• Orna Merchant (weekends)
• Jules Lang (stand-in)
• Ellie Brennan (stand-in)

Regular Contributors

These people often appear on shows to share their knowledge.

• Sarah Jarvis (medical expert, on Jeremy Vine's show)
• James King (Film critic, on Jo Whiley's show - alternate Tuesdays)
• Martin Lewis (financial expert, on Jeremy Vine's show)
• Phil Swern (Producer and regular contributor on Sounds of the 60s)

Notable Former Presenters

Controllers/Head of Station

Images for kids

• 

  The BBC Radio 2 logo, 2007–2021.

See also

In Spanish: BBC Radio 2 para niños