Phil Riley, radio executive, on BBC “radio licences”, local radio and the 2034 digital switch‑off

Phil Riley, radio executive, on BBC “radio licences”, local radio and the 2034 digital switch‑off

From Roger Bolton's Beeb Watch by Good Egg Productions

February 5, 2026 · 30 min · Season 11 · Episode 5

About this episode

Phil Riley discusses the future of radio, BBC funding, and the implications of the 2034 digital switch-off.

Phil Riley is one of commercial radio’s most experienced executives, former chief executive of Chrysalis Radio and now co‑founder and chief executive of Boom Radio, the station created for Britain’s baby boomers. We discuss current ideas for funding the BBC – including proposals around BBC Sounds and a possible “radio licence” – and what they could mean for both the BBC and commercial radio. We also explore the wider future of radio and public service broadcasting, including the growth of podcasts, streaming and small‑scale DAB, the implications for radio of the proposed 2034 switch‑off of digital terrestrial television, and the changing role of BBC Local Radio and local journalism. “Of all the heritage mainstream media, radio is in the best shape of all of them in terms of its ability to survive.” Listen to all our episodes here: https://podfollow.com/beebwatch   To support our journalism and receive a weekly blog sign up now for £1.99 per month www.patreon.com/BeebWatch/membership   @beebwatch.bsky.social @BeebRoger Instagram: rogerboltonsbeebwatch LinkedIn: Roger Bolton's Beeb Watch email: roger@rogerboltonsbeebwatch.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy…

People in this episode

Host: Roger Bolton

Guest: Phil Riley

Topics covered

  • BBC funding
  • local radio
  • digital switch-off
  • public service broadcasting
  • commercial radio
  • future of radio

Keywords

  • BBC
  • radio licences
  • local radio
  • digital switch-off
  • public service broadcasting
  • commercial radio
  • podcasts
  • streaming

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Chrysalis Radio, Boom Radio, BBC, BBC Sounds

Places: Britain

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