My mother always calls the radio “the wireless” and now technology has caught up with her again. My loving husband got me a brilliant radio for Christmas. It does normal, it does digital and it does internet radio. It’s fantastic. No more cricket on radio 4 for me. Manic cackle. I can choose stations by country, by genre, by whatever you are having yourself really. I listened to a US comedy channel, an NPR end of year special and Bel RTL and I didn’t bother with Money Box Live (if you have to ask, lucky you).
Now, internet, my friend, do you have a favourite radio station – local, regional, national – something you would recommend to someone with a brand new Roberts radio. If yes, please, please tell me what it is and I will tune in.
Sadly, my radio is welded to R4, despite being all DAB enabled and everything. I even sit through Moneybox live although the moral maze has me lunging for the off switch and then we have to talk to each other. Occasionally, I fantasise about being the sort of person who listens to Radio 3.
I waver between Radio 4 and Radio 2 though have tuned in to the local NPR station whenever we’ve been in the US, and ditto World Service when in other places.
If you can get internet radio can I suggest Resonance104.4fm, it’s a London based station, supported by The Arts Council. It has the most amazing variety of programmes from the weird to the really interesting, and in particular the videogames show my daughter co-presents, One Life Left, nerdy but fun. I can only get it live on the internet and as a podcast.
And how exciting to get a new radio so that you can choose what you listen to, in our house all the radios are tuned to Radio 4!
TM, this is not encouraging. Katie, I intend to check out radio 2 and radio 3 because I can.
Christine – cool, will definitely check out your suggestion. Thank you.
This is a program rather than station recommendation, but have you ever heard This American Life? It’s broadcast on NPR where I am, but I believe it’s produced by American Public Media. Anyway, if you ever happen upon it, I recommend you give it a listen. I find it extremely entertaining–sometimes hysterically funny, sometimes stunningly enlightening, but nearly always interesting. I think you might like it too. Although I have to give a disclaimer: while the title might imply that the stories they tell are typical of life in America, I very often find the stories totally bizarre, so, you know. Just remember that and don’t think that Americans are crazy because of what this program showcases.
I liked radioIO Classic Rock, but it seems they have gone to a subscription model. One day, people will trace the beginnings of civilization’s death to the end of free content on the Internet! But back to the topic at hand. I now listen to “123 All Classic Rock”. Three guesses for my favorite musical genre.
Kara, so thrilling – think I have just favourited the podcast – or maybe not. Will review and get back to you.
BroLo, hmm, might pass on that – anything talky you would recommend?