BBC Radio London

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BBC Radio London is the BBC’s local radio station for Greater London. It broadcasts on FM, DAB, digital TV and online from studios at Broadcasting House in Langham Place, London. In December 2023, RAJAR reported about 548,000 weekly listeners and a 0.9% share.

What you hear
- Local news, talk and music for London listeners.
- How to listen: FM 94.9, DAB digital radio, Freeview, Sky, and online via BBC Sounds.

A quick look at its history
- First air date: 6 October 1970. It began as Radio London and was London’s first BBC local station.
- Former names: BBC GLR (1988–2000), BBC London Live 94.9 (2000–2001), BBC London 94.9 (2001–2015).
- Early years: Used BBC network news and sometimes shared programs with BBC Radio 1 and 2; initially had limited access to commercial records.
- 1981 onwards: FM stereo tests and a relaunch with a softer, easy-listening style.
- 1988: The station closed and was replaced by Greater London Radio (GLR), which had an album-oriented, talk-heavy approach aimed at 25–45-year-olds.
- 2000–2001: Rebranded as BBC London Live 94.9, then BBC London 94.9, with a stronger focus on speech and London life.
- 2015: Rebranded again as BBC Radio London.
- 2020: During the Coronavirus pandemic, overnight programming on BBC Radio London was carried by BBC Radio 5 Live, then returned to normal later in 2020.
- 2022–2025: London breakfast show changed hands, with Salma El-Wardany taking the breakfast slot in 2022 and Aaron Paul launching a new breakfast show in January 2025.

Today
- The station produces most of its local programming in London and remains the capital’s main BBC local radio service.
- Overnight, it often simulcasts content from BBC Radio 5 Live.
- Over time, it shifted away from some specialist community programs to appeal to a broader, mainstream audience.
- Availability: FM 94.9; DAB; digital TV; online via BBC Sounds.