THINKPIECE #1: Why radio matters not just during times of crisis

“Radio makes us feel connected and part of a community”

“We can be your two silly mates on the radio. We are all in this together and we will get through this”

Wise words from Radio 1 DJs Greg James, Scott Mills and Chris Stark there. They’re totally right you know. I know people who simply don’t get the point of radio and would rather just pick their own music without having to hear a disc jockey banging on, but for those that love the medium, streaming will never replace it. As a prolific streamer myself, I spend tonnes of time on Spotify and Tidal, but only a certain number of hours can elapse before I start to miss a live human voice providing context and welcoming me into their radio community.

Streaming vs radio

As you may well know, music streaming levels have dropped during the lockdown, whereas radio consumption is up. This is no surprise to me. Even before this crisis, I knew simply streaming a host of recent airplay hits simply wasn’t the same as firing up the radio for an hour or two. When radio is at its best and the hosts are so likeable you’d choose them as personal friends, moods can switch from bleak to jovial in a matter of seconds.

Hook-laden diversity

My station of choice is BBC Radio 1 even at the age of 37 – I know I’m expected to have moved on to commercial radio or one of the Beeb’s other radio platforms by now, but I love new music from a host of genres and prefer to hear everything in the same place. Commercial radio clearly has options for post-Radio 1 listeners, but attempt to find the station that playlists Little Mix, CamelPhat, Doja Cat AND Fontaines D.C. and your quest will be entirely fruitless. 

A broadcasting lifeline

Radio 1 is home to a host of exceptionally personable, knowledgeable and quick-witted hosts whose talents have proved their value emphatically during recent weeks. With help from his charming everyman sidekick Chris Stark, the evergreen Scott Mills has been holding everything together flawlessly like the ageless, consistently enthusiastic and eternally 25 King of Radio 1 he is during these unpredictable times, whilst fellow ego-free presenter Greg has once again cemented his position as one of the most likeable, down-to-earth and quick-witted radio personalities of his generation.

Is streaming a robotic experience?

Recent urgent schedule changes have expanded both presenters’ slots and made what was great to begin with even more unmissable, refreshingly spontaneous radio delivering immeasurable comfort and warmth. As great as services such as Spotify may seem, streaming leaves listeners with nobody to contextualise the music, ask the listeners how they are, encourage interaction and pass wry commentary on the very latest political, social and cultural developments.

Emergency breakfast cover

During the past week, Scott Mills and Chris Stark - deputising for Greg on breakfast, seemingly at the last minute, have treated us to a 'can your voice get as high as Mariah Carey in 1990?' singing competition, a Peter Crouch DJ set from his kids' wendy house, highlights from Stark's much-loved early 2010s '24 Years at the Tap End' feature complete with daytime dogging references, a five-station Thursday morning singalong for key workers, Stark candidly letting us know his wife doesn't think he's as funny in real life and so much more, including several Carole Baskin namechecks, as you might expect. Also, when a DJ as warm, down-to-earth and likeable as Mills urges you to remain home and stay safe, you listen. This doesn't feel like I am listening to a pair of well-known celebrities, it feels like I am tuned into ordinary genuine caring people that just happen to be on the radio.

The nation’s flagship pop station has introduced more R1-friendly bangers dating as far back as 1990 into ordinary daytime programming to keep the listeners’ spirits up, without compromising its image as the UK’s leading new music network. Certain presenters may now be contributing from their bedrooms and the schedule may be constantly subject to change, but there’s a feeling everyone at the network has been inspired rather than demoralised by recent challenges. Radio as a whole is gloriously spontaneous, wonderfully unpredictable, obliterates loneliness and can act as an indispensable companion from birth to death.

Does radio have a future?

I strongly suspect radio will never die. It enables listeners to source charismatic long-term virtual friends within the push of a button, allows listeners to feel part of a vibrant nationwide or even global community and can offer the perfect soundtrack to activities ranging from home, office and factory working to driving, shopping, exercise and household chores. Greg and Scott’s recent shows have oozed with messages from key workers who have credited their shows with protecting their mental well-being, and the level of audience participation they encourage means their broadcasts will never be dominated by ego-driven celebrities. Elsewhere, there are countless reports of fellow BBC and commercial radio stations supercharging their game to enhance their listeners’ psychological health at such a difficult time.

Atmosphere generation

Music streaming is not radio. Although playlists have enormous benefits - particularly for non-radio listeners - it’s difficult to achieve the sense of euphoria you might hope to source from a playlist without a hugely enthusiastic, knowledgeable and charismatic presenter generating an intoxicating vibe, making you feel like you’re their sole listener whilst simultaneously placing you in a vibrant community of loyal radio lovers who share your passions.

A lifelong relationship

Radio adds magic to commutes, can guide you through even the most trying of days and can provide an indispensable further push when it seems there’s nothing left to give. It can keep you wholly up-to-date with social, political and cultural affairs as they happen, introduce you to down-to-earth broadcasting heroes you’ll follow for decades and breathe new life into even the most overplayed songs around. A 2011 study by the Media and The Mood of the Nation found that radio boosted happiness levels by 100% and energy levels by a spectacular 300%, and there are very few reasons to question this claim. As a self-employed home worker with a huge dependence on virtual company, there’s little chance of me switching off any time soon.