BBC Radio 3 Unwind
{{short description|British national radio station}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = BBC Radio 3 Unwind
| logo = BBC Radio 3 Unwind.svg
| logo_size = 200px
| city = London, Salford and Belfast
| area = United Kingdom via BBC Sounds
(currently unavailable internationally){{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/help/questions/programme-availability/sounds-streams |title=What are Sounds exclusive stations? - BBC Sounds }}
| frequency = DAB (in future), BBC Sounds
| airdate = {{start date and age|2024|11|04|df=y}}
| language = English
| format = Classical and meditation
| network = BBC Radio
| owner = BBC
| licensing_authority = Ofcom
| sister_stations = BBC Radio 3
| coordinates =
| website = [https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3unwind Radio 3 Unwind Homepage]
}}
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BBC Radio 3 Unwind is a British online-only radio stream, owned and operated by the BBC and run as a spin-off from BBC Radio 3. Launched in 2024, the station plays a wide range of wellbeing and meditation focussed classical music both familiar and new, intertwined with voices and soundscapes.
The stream broadcasts exclusively on BBC Sounds, until a full launch on DAB+ is due to take place in 2025.
History and launch
Reports in 2019 showed that the BBC was considering launching 'spin-off stations' of its stations to gain more listeners.{{Cite news|title=Is the BBC planning radio spinoffs to get more listeners?|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2019/11/is-the-bbc-planning-radio-spinoffs-to-get-more-listeners/|access-date=2019-11-25|website=RadioToday}} The first of these was Radio 1 Dance, confirmed by Jonathan Wall, controller of BBC Sounds, in February 2020.{{Cite news|title=BBC Sounds - an audio treasure trove |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/webarchive/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fblogs%2Faboutthebbc%2Fentries%2F3cca4422-8444-4d44-8ea0-646a6f8dcfc7|access-date=2020-02-26|website=About the BBC Blog}}
This first 'stream' launched in October 2020.{{Cite web|title=Brand new Radio 1 Dance stream to launch this October |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2020/radio-1-dance-stream|access-date=2020-09-18|website=BBC Media Centre}} A further music stream launched on BBC Sounds in April 2021, Radio 1 Relax.{{Cite web|title=Brand new wellbeing stream Radio 1 Relax launches on BBC Sounds |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2021/radio-1-relax|access-date=2021-04-22|website=BBC Media Centre}} Radio 1 Relax closed on 24 July 2024.{{Cite web |date=2024-07-24 |title=Sian Eleri and Jess Iszatt present the final ever show on Radio 1 Relax! |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0021cm3 |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}
In February 2024, the BBC announced plans to launch three new spin-offs, pending public consultation and regulatory approval: one from Radio 1 for “music from the 2000s and 2010s, catering to the appetite from young audiences for recent nostalgia”; one from Radio 2, with “a distinctive take on pop nostalgia’ from the 50s, 60s and 70s”; and one from Radio 3 for “calming classical music”. In addition, Radio 1 Dance would launch on DAB expanded programming.{{cite news|url= https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-68226389|title= Radio 2 spin-off among four new stations planned by BBC|first=Steven|last=McIntosh|date=7 February 2024|website=BBC News Online|publisher=BBC News}}
In September 2024, the BBC confirmed the launch of Radio 3 Unwind, alongside Radio 1's Anthems spin-off.{{cite news|url= https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2024/radio-1-anthems-bbc-sounds-extension#:~:text=and%20earlier%20this%20summer%20we%20confirmed%20that%20Radio%203%E2%80%99s%20new%20extension%2C%20Radio%203%20Unwind%2C%20will%20arrive%20on%20BBC%20Sounds%20this%20autumn.|title= Radio 1 Anthems and Radio 3 Unwind to launch on BBC Sounds|date=9 September 2024|website=BBC Media Centre}}
In April 2025, Ofcom indicated provisional approval for the plans to launch Radio 3 Unwind on DAB+.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-10 |title=Ofcom proposes to give green light to three new BBC DAB+ stations, but not Radio 2 spin-off or expanded Radio 5 Sports Extra |url=https://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and-on-demand/bbc/ofcom-proposes-to-give-green-light-to-three-new-bbc-dab-stations-but-not-radio-2-spin-off-or-expanded-radio-5-sports-extra/ |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=www.ofcom.org.uk |language=en}}
Original musical idents were composed and produced by Benbrick and recorded by the BBC Concert Orchestra at Maida Vale Studios, providing a distinct sonic identity for the station.{{cite news|url=https://tileyard.co.uk/stories/benbrick-bbc-radio-3-unwind|title=Benbrick on R3 unwind|date=8 April 2025|website=Tileyard Studios}}
Programming
In a February 2024 press release, the BBC announced some of the programming on Radio 3 Unwind. The corporation said the stream "aimed to provide a relaxing classical music experience designed to help listeners unwind and escape daily pressures".
Radio 3 Unwind features a blend of familiar and new classical pieces. It also highlights compositions from living artists, including new UK talent and works from BBC Orchestras and Choirs.
Several production teams from across the UK's audio sector were awarded new shows, ensuring a diverse range of content and creative input.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2024/productions-teams-wins-new-music-streams-commissions|title=Production teams win commissions for Radio 1 Anthems and Radio 3 Unwind
|date=25 October 2024|website=BBC Media Centre}}
The commissioned programme makers include Tandem Productions for a daily mid-morning show, Granny Eats Wolf for a soundtracks programme airing Monday to Saturday, Peanut & Crumb for overnight programming, BBC Audio Northern Ireland for a weekly new music show, and BBC Audio London for a daily evening show.
The full schedule includes existing on-demand programmes like the Mindful Mix,{{Cite web |title=BBC Sounds - Mindful Mix |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06mtsqy |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}} artist-led shows such as Ultimate Calm,{{Cite web |title=BBC Radio 3 - Ultimate Calm |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001cvck |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}} and simulcast content from Radio 3, including Night Tracks.{{Cite web |title=BBC Radio 3 - Night Tracks |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0008w2m |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}} Additionally, it explores mindfulness and wellbeing themes The Music & Meditation Podcast{{Cite web |title=BBC Radio 3 - The Music & Meditation Podcast |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00175qd |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}} and The Sleeping Forecast.{{Cite web |title=BBC Sounds - The Sleeping Forecast |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0cjyk2w |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}} The extension features around 8,000 tracks per annum.{{Cite web |title=Radio 3 Unwind to play 8,000 tracks a year |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2024/plans-digital-music-stations-extensions-bbc-radio-1-bbc-radio-2-bbc-radio-3#:~:text=Drawing%20from%20a%20library%20of%20around%208,000%20tracks |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=www.bbc.co.uk |language=en}}
Additionally, some new commissions include a daily mid-morning show called Classical Unwind with presenter Sian Williams, a soundtracks programme airing Monday to Saturday, a weekly new music show and a daily evening show.
See also
References
{{reflist}}
{{BBC Radio}}
{{BBC Radio 3}}
Category:2024 establishments in the United Kingdom