A wave of backlash has erupted after Ofcom, the UK’s media watchdog, blocked the BBC’s plans to launch Radio 2 Extra—a digital spin-off station promising a rich blend of 1950s to 1970s music and exclusive archive content. Veteran DJ Tony Blackburn has led the charge against the decision, calling it “stupid” and “a disservice to licence payers.”
A Station for the Forgotten Generation
Radio 2 Extra was pitched as a nostalgic haven for older audiences, designed to complement Radio 2’s evolving demographic by revisiting pop history’s golden years. It promised at least 6,000 different tracks from three decades, plus rare archive material including Kenny Everett’s legendary broadcasts, Bob Harris’s Old Grey Whistle Test clips, and Tony Blackburn’s original Top 40 shows from the 1960s.
Unlike commercial stations, Radio 2 Extra would have leveraged the BBC’s vast radio archive—funded by licence payers—to deliver uniquely curated content. As Blackburn noted, “This new Radio 2 Extra would have been like no other station on air.”
Ofcom’s Rejection and Commercial Pressure
However, Ofcom rejected the proposal, citing risks to smaller commercial broadcasters. Stations like Boom Radio, launched in 2021 with a focus on older audiences, argued that the BBC’s new offering would threaten their viability. Boom now commands around 600,000 listeners, many of whom left Radio 2 after its shift towards younger programming.
Following a public interest test, Ofcom concluded that Radio 2 Extra would pose “a material risk” to competition, particularly for smaller online stations targeting the baby boomer demographic.
Tony Blackburn’s Outrage
Blackburn, host of Sounds of the 60s, took to social media and issued a strongly worded statement on April 10:
“I’m more than disappointed that Ofcom have stopped BBC Radio 2 from expanding… because of a stupid decision from Ofcom it won’t happen.”
He added that the BBC’s historical audio archive would now be left to “stay on the shelves never to be heard,” slamming the verdict as a missed opportunity to make decades of broadcast heritage accessible to the public.
On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), many echoed his frustration. One user called it “a pretty bad decision,” arguing that Radio 2 Extra would have been “completely unique.” Another commented simply, “Massive shame—this was long overdue.”
The Wider Impact on UK Radio
Radio 2 Extra was expected to launch initially on BBC Sounds before expanding to DAB+. In an effort to address competition concerns, the BBC amended the proposal in late 2024 to increase speech-based programming to 60% and bump up archive material to 20%.
But Ofcom stood firm. Matt Payton, chief executive of commercial radio body Radiocentre, praised the move as a “significant shift” in protecting fair competition—particularly in a media landscape increasingly dominated by digital listening.
What Listeners Have Lost
Had it gone ahead, Radio 2 Extra would have featured three-hour weekday archive slots, hourly “legends” segments, and cultural deep-dives into Britain’s musical history. Classics like Pick of the Pops, Sounds of the 70s, and Rock & Roll America were all tipped for rebroadcasts, aiming to recapture the magic of vintage BBC radio.
The rejection not only stalls a nostalgic revival but sidelines decades of taxpayer-funded recordings. “How ridiculous is this decision,” Blackburn said. “Why deny listeners access to something they already paid for?”
What Happens Now?
The BBC has yet to announce any new proposals following Ofcom’s decision. Meanwhile, the debate continues over how best to serve older audiences in a market where commercial pressures and digital innovation increasingly collide.
For now, those hoping to revisit the glory days of British radio must settle for isolated reruns—while the vault of BBC archives remains locked away, gathering dust.
