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Radio 2 Proposal Rejected

Plans by the BBC for a Radio 2 spin-off station playing 1960s pop hits have been blocked after rivals branded it a “rip-off”.

The broadcaster last year outlined plans for an extension of Radio 2, showcasing the best music from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, but the UK’s media watchdog has rejected the proposal.

The BBC hoped the new station, which they described as a “comprehensive nostalgic experience”, would help to win back listeners who have defected to rivals such as Boom Radio and Greatest Hits Radio.

The broadcaster has been accused of abandoning older listeners by shifting Radio 2 to a more modern playlist in pursuit of younger audiences.

Regulator Ofcom is poised to block the launch because it concluded that the BBC did not have a strong enough case for the distinctiveness of the new station and that it would have an adverse impact on commercial rivals.

Ofcom also warned that the spin-off could put off commercial investment and new entrants into the market more generally, particularly among radio stations hoping to serve audiences left behind by the BBC.

The regulator said: “We consider that this creates a significant adverse impact on fair and effective competition which is not justified by the public value of the proposal.”

11 April 2025  

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