UK Radio Stations That Play Oldies

The term “oldies music”, or just ‘oldies’, refers to popular music from about 1950 to 1990.

‘Oldies’ can include rock ‘n’ roll artists such as Elvis Presley, rock bands such as the Beatles and R ‘n’ B artists such as Aretha Franklin. It can also include more recent artists such as Elton John, Madonna and Aerosmith.

Here’s a list of some of the best UK radio stations that play oldies.

 

ABC Oldies

ABC Oldies is an internet radio station that plays oldies music from the 60s, 70s and 80s.

• Available on: Online
• Plays: Music from the 60s, 70s and 80s.
• Website: https://www.abcoldiesradio.uk/

 

Absolute Radio 60s, 70s and 80s

Absolute Radio run several different radio stations, including Absolute Radio 60s, Absolute Radio 70s and Absolute Radio 80s. These stations play oldies music from the 60s, 70s and 80s respectively.

• Available on: Absolute Radio 80s is available nationally on DAB. The other stations are generally only available online.
• Plays: Popular music from the 60s, 70s and 80s.
• Website: https://absoluteradio.co.uk/

 

BBC Radio 2

BBC Radio 2 plays a lot of new music, but it also has several programmes dedicated to playing oldies. These include Huey Morgan’s ‘The Times of Our Lives’, Pick of the Pops, Sounds of the 60s with Tony Blackburn, Sounds Of The 70s with Johnnie Walker and Sounds Of The 80s with Gary Davies.

• Available on: FM, DAB and online.
• Plays: A mix of old and new popular music, with some dedicated oldies programmes.
• Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2

 

Gold Radio

Gold is one of the UK’s most popular oldies radio stations.

• Available on: AM in Greater London, Manchester, Nottingham and Derby; DAB+ in London; online.
• Plays: Oldies artists such as The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Elton John and Stevie Wonder.
• Website: https://www.mygoldmusic.co.uk/

 

Greatest Hits Radio

Greatest Hits Radio from Planet Radio is a network of local radio stations that play oldies music.

• Available on: AM, FM and DAB. Availability and frequencies vary from area to area. Only available in certain locations.
• Plays: Classic hits, with local news and travel.
• Website: https://planetradio.co.uk/greatest-hits/

 

Heart 80s

Heart 80s is a sister station of Global-owned radio station Heart. It’s mainly an automated station that plays songs back-to-back with regular ad breaks.

• Available on: DAB and online.
• Plays: Non-stop 80s music.
• Website: http://www.heart.co.uk/

 

Magic Soul

Magic Soul from Planet Radio is a soul and Motown music station that plays lots of oldies music from the 60s, 70s and 80s.

• Available on: DAB in Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Humberside, Leeds, London, Northern Ireland, Tayside and Inverness, Teesside, Tyne and Wear; Online
• Plays: Soul and Motown music.
• Website: https://planetradio.co.uk/magic-soul/

 

Smooth Radio

Smooth Radio is a national radio station that plays popular oldies and contemporary pop music.

• Available on: AM or FM in some locations, DAB
• Plays: Popular music from the last 40 years or so.
• Website: https://www.smoothradio.com/