Projects

This 2016 project investigated the future of radio and radio archives.

Published date:

16 January 2017

The aim of the project was to inform the Library’s developing plan for a national radio archive and to ensure that project outcomes are not undermined by unanticipated changes in the broadcasting landscape, or by trends in media consumption. 

The project also considered the future nature of radio archives in the UK: their uses, legal constraints and opportunities.

The project interviewed experts across the radio and academic sectors, concentrating on five overall trends: consumption, production, technology, research and legal implications.

The findings will help inform the development of a radio archive pilot.

This report, The Changing Landscape of Radio (PDF format), was produced by Rosina Sound. It outlines developments in radio and audio consumption, production and technology. It considers how these might impact the future of a national radio archive. It also considers what researchers of the future are likely to want from the content of today.

A series of blog posts were commissioned from experts from across the radio and music industry to consider what the future of radio might look like:

• Charlie Phillips, Head of Legal and Commercial Affairs for the Association of Independent Music on the future of radio from the independent music sector's perspective
• Matt Deegan, Creative Director of the new media and radio consultancy firm Folder Media, on future of radio from an audience development perspective
• Paul Bennun, former CCO and non-executive director of UK content agency Somethin’ Else, considers how technology will affect the future of radio
• Nicky Birch, radio producer and consultant, on the future for podcasting.

Some leading figures in UK radio today, with very different perspectives, came together at the invitation of the British Library, for a discussion on the future of radio. The participants are leading podcaster and broadcaster Ruth Barnes as chair, and a panel comprising Matt Deegan (Creative Director of Folder Media and co-founder of the Next Radio conference), Helen Boaden (Director of BBC Radio), Femi Adeyemi (founder of Internet station NTS) and journalist and broadcaster Miranda Sawyer.