BBC Radio London launch

BBC Radio London launched in 1970, after London trials back in the early 1960s; the third in the second tranche of BBC Local stations.

Doing 'local radio' in a big city is a challenge; all the more so in London, where London news is, all too often, also National news. In failing to find its 'local radio' niche, it has veered off over the years to become BBC London Live, GLR and back to Radio London, or maybe BBC London 94.9. I hold the view that listeners, actually, decide what they are going to call their radio station, however you choose to place your frequency. In content too, the station has changed flavour over the years, from good old local radio to Tony Blackburn's sex and soul; and from the exploratory GLR to personality-talk where it now largely sits. London is the only UK City where the BBC faces genuine, long-established 24 hour 'talk radio' commercial competition, in the LBC stations.

BBC Radio London's life has accordingly not all been plain sailing; and the station has been under threat on several occasions. In the late seventies, reports suggested that the station might be replaced by more localised services for parts of Greater London. Just like at so many problem stations, though, the challenge has genuinely prompted some innovative programming and healthy radio germs over the years; and some notably talented folk have passed through its doors.