BBC Radio 3

For other stations known as Radio 3, see Radio 3.

BBC Radio 3
Logo used since 2022
Broadcast areaUnited Kingdom and Internationally via Satellite and BBC Sounds
Frequencies
RDSBBC R3
Programming
Language(s)English
FormatClassical, jazz, world music, drama, culture, arts
Ownership
OwnerBBC
BBC Radio 3 Unwind
History
First air date
30 September 1967; 57 years ago (1967-09-30)
Former call signs
BBC Third Programme
Former frequencies
648 MW (1967–1978)
1215 MW (1978–1992)
Technical information
Licensing authority
Ofcom
Links
WebsiteBBC Radio 3 via BBC Sounds
BBC Radio
Nationwide
Digital-only

BBC Radio 3 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It replaced the BBC Third Programme in 1967 and broadcasts classical music and opera, with jazz, world music, drama, culture and the arts also featuring.[1] The station has described itself as "the world's most significant commissioner of new music".[2][3]

Through its New Generation Artists scheme promotes young musicians of all nationalities.[4] The station broadcasts the BBC Proms concerts, live and in full, each summer in addition to performances by the BBC Orchestras and Singers. There are regular productions of both classic plays and newly commissioned drama.

Radio 3 won the Sony Radio Academy UK Station of the Year Gold Award for 2009[5] and was nominated again in 2011.[6] According to RAJAR, the station broadcasts to a weekly audience of 1.9 million with a listening share of 1.6% as of March 2024.[7]

  1. ^ "BBC Radio 3". Service Licences. BBC Trust. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  2. ^ "British Academy of Composers and Songwriters". Archived from the original on 28 October 2008. Retrieved 16 November 2008.
  3. ^ "Roger Wright, Controller, Radio 3 and Director, BBC Proms". About the BBC. BBC. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  4. ^ "New Generation Artists". BBC. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  5. ^ "Sony Radio Academy Awards 2009". Sony Radio Academy. Archived from the original on 16 January 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  6. ^ "Sony Radio Academy Awards 2011". Sony Radio Academy.
  7. ^ "RAJAR Quarterly Listening".