Press Releases & Press Packs

12.02.03

ABOUT THE BBC

BBC Radios 1-4 now available on Freeview

From Friday 14 February 2003 all of the BBC's national radio stations can be accessed on Freeview, the new digital terrestrial television service. BBC Radios 1,2,3 and 4 complete a line-up of 11 BBC radio channels.

The Freeview line-up now includes the BBC's eight digital television channels – BBC ONE, BBC TWO, BBC THREE, BBC FOUR, CBeebies, CBBC, BBC News 24 and BBC Parliament – plus interactivity from BBCi and 11 BBC radio networks – BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio Five Live, Five Live Sports Extra, 1Xtra, 6 Music, BBC 7, BBC World Service (in English) and the BBC Asian Network.

Research shows that more and more people are accessing radio through their televisions. Latest figures show that 16% of UK adults or 7.8 million people claim to have listened to the radio via their television, over a million more people than last year.

Approximately 4.5 million adults listen to radio through television on a weekly basis, a figure equating to 9% of the adult population.*

Freeview, launched in October 2002, gives audiences another way to access the BBC's digital channels. This means there are now three ways to access the BBC's services: satellite, cable and Freeview. There are now estimated to be 10 million homes in the UK which can receive all of the BBC's digital services.

Andy Duncan, Director BBC Marketing & Communications, said: "We're delighted that our audiences can now access the full range of national radio and television services on Freeview as well as on digital cable and satellite.

"The BBC is committed to providing its services for free in the many ways our audiences choose to access them. This latest development is another step towards driving digital take up in the UK."

Information regarding the BBC's digital channels and how to access them can be found on bbc.kongjiang.org/www.bbc.co.uk/digital.

Notes to Editors

Freeview is managed by a consortium – DTV Services Ltd – comprising the BBC, Crown Castle and BSkyB as equal partners.

Freeview is a simple way to get digital television. It offers UK homes up to 30 digital channels (TV and text), plus interactivity and 16 radio networks, all free and delivered to televisions through rooftop aerials.

*Source: RAJAR/Ipsos RSL Wave 4 2002

Related Stories

Over 300,000 Freeview adapters sold (21.01.03)

The changing face of BBC TV and Radio (30.10.02)

BBC World Service on Freeview digital line-up (27.10.02)

Freeview to launch on 30 October (03.10.02)

BBC and Crown Castle name "Freeview" (19.08.02)

BBC and Crown Castle to champion digital for everyone (04.07.02)

BBC and Crown Castle submit complementary applications for digital terrestrial television licences (13.06.02)

www.freeview.co.uk (The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.)

Freeview offers the BBC's eight television channels - including BBC THREE - as well as six BBC radio networks.

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