Talk radio station LBC is to be available across the UK on DAB digital radio from 11th February.
The broadcaster has risen to prominence outside of London with recent new phone-in programmes including ‘Ask Boris’ and ‘Call Clegg’. The weekly programme is also available online with clips often shared on social media.
LBC recently recorded its highest ever audience with 1.3 million tuning in. The breakfast show with Nick Ferrari gained almost 100,000 listeners in a year. Other presenters include James O’Brien, former Sunday Express political editor Julia Hartley-Brewer and prominent Conservative blogger Iain Dale.
It’s not the first time that LBC has been available on DAB digital radio outside of the capital, but next month’s launch will mark a change in focus from London to the UK as a whole.
“LBC has been a pioneer since it began broadcasting as the first commercial radio station 40 years ago, challenging traditional formats and producing innovative shows,” said Ashley Tabor, Founder & executive president of Global.
“Under Global’s ownership last year we introduced a first in UK radio with the Deputy Prime Minister hosting his own weekly show on LBC, ‘Call Clegg,’ giving LBC’s listeners, the public, a chance to hold a senior political figure directly to account for the first time every week.”
LBC launched as the London Broadcasting Company in 1973 as the UK’s first commercial radio station. In 2007 it changed its name to ‘London’s Biggest Conversation’, and from next month LBC will stand for ‘Leading Britain’s Conversation.
The station is already available on 97.3 FM in London, online and via satellite. LBC News is not affected by the announcement and is still available outside of London via satellite and online.