BBC Radio 3 Unwind is a British online-only radio stream, owned and operated by the

BBC The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, England. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it evolved into its current sta ...

and run as a spin-off from

BBC Radio 3 BBC Radio 3 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It replaced the BBC Third Programme in 1967 and broadcasts classical music and opera, with jazz, world music, Radio drama, drama, High culture, culture and the arts ...

. Launched in 2024, the station plays a wide range of wellbeing and

meditation Meditation is a practice in which an individual uses a technique to train attention and awareness and detach from reflexive, "discursive thinking", achieving a mentally clear and emotionally calm and stable state, while not judging the meditat ...

focussed

classical music Classical music generally refers to the art music of the Western world, considered to be #Relationship to other music traditions, distinct from Western folk music or popular music traditions. It is sometimes distinguished as Western classical mu ...

both familiar and new, intertwined with voices and soundscapes. The stream broadcasts exclusively on

BBC Sounds BBC Sounds is an Over-the-top media service, over-the-top audio streaming media, streaming and download service from the BBC that includes live radio broadcasts, Streaming media, audio on demand, and podcasts. The service is available on a wide ...

, until a full launch on

DAB+ Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) is a digital radio international standard, standard for broadcasting digital audio radio services in many countries around the world, defined, supported, marketed and promoted by the WorldDAB organisation. T ...

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. The first of these was Radio 1 Dance, confirmed by Jonathan Wall, controller of

, in February 2020. This first 'stream' launched in October 2020. A further music stream launched on BBC Sounds in April 2021, Radio 1 Relax. Radio 1 Relax closed on 24 July 2024. 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. In September 2024, the BBC confirmed the launch of Radio 3 Unwind, alongside Radio 1's Anthems spin-off. In April 2025, Ofcom indicated provisional approval for the plans to launch Radio 3 Unwind on DAB+. 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.

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. 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'', artist-led shows such as ''Ultimate Calm'', and simulcast content from Radio 3, including ''Night Tracks''. Additionally, it explores mindfulness and wellbeing themes ''The Music & Meditation Podcast'' and ''The Sleeping Forecast''. The extension features around 8,000 tracks per annum. 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.

References

{{BBC Radio 3 2024 establishments in the United Kingdom 3 Unwind Unwind Digital-only radio stations Radio stations established in 2024

History and launch

Programming

See also

References