Radio in the UK is still going strong, and 2025 is shaping up to be a big year for live events.
For example, one of the highlights is BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend, set to take place from 23 to 25 May at Sefton Park in Liverpool. This massive festival will feature nearly 100 acts across four stages, including FLO, JADE, Joy Crookes, Self Esteem, and South Arcade.
It’s not just about music, though, as Radio 1 usually brings along talks, comedy slots, and even some surprise sets that get fans buzzing online. Another big name on the calendar is Capital’s Summertime Ball, back at Wembley Stadium on 15 June. With stars like Mariah Carey and Zara Larsson set to perform, it promises pop hits, dance energy, and tens of thousands of fans singing along.
Digital audiences are increasingly turning to on-demand, 24/7 platforms for late-night entertainment, blending live music, talk shows, and interactive streams. This shift reflects a broader move toward always-available content that keeps users engaged well beyond traditional hours. With online entertainment in the form of streaming services and eCommerce making movies and series or shopping for anything we want available 24/7, modern audiences have come to prefer on-demand entertainment as standard.
Even in sectors like iGaming, casinos not on GamStop, for example, tap into this trend by appealing to users seeking quicker access, fast-paced perks like instant payouts, and global gaming options with fewer restrictions. These platforms highlight how entertainment and leisure are converging across digital platforms, reshaping how and when audiences engage with media.
This night-owl entertainment lifestyle mimics what radio has always tapped into—entertainment that never sleeps and is available no matter what time of day or night you seek it. Brands also love radio for a reason: it’s easy to trust. Compared to online ads or influencer campaigns, a voice on the radio feels like a recommendation from a mate.
That’s why sponsorships and ad slots during major events like the Big Weekend are still so popular. They give companies a chance to promote themselves without being too flashy or in-your-face.
Radio has had to adapt to changing habits. Not everyone listens to the FM dial anymore. More people are tuning in through apps, smart speakers, or even catching replays on social media. That means stations have to think beyond live shows; they need catch-up content, social highlights, and bonus material to keep people coming back.
Merch is another growing trend. From branded mugs to limited-edition vinyls, stations are selling directly to fans. It might seem small-scale, but it adds up, especially when events draw in tens of thousands of people. Combine that with ad revenue and digital streams, and reports indicate that radio is proving it can still bring in cash.
Big radio stations like Capital and Global are also buying up smaller stations or merging operations. That gives them more reach and better bargaining power with advertisers. Local stations that might have struggled to stay independent now have access to better tech, national sponsorship deals, and shared content libraries.
Behind all the music and energy, there’s a business to run. Radio stations need to keep costs under control—especially with more competition from streaming platforms often resulting in the public losing interest in traditional radio shows. One way they’re doing this is by moving some content online only. Smaller shows with niche audiences often work better as podcasts or YouTube-style streams, where costs are lower and listeners are more loyal.
Radio in 2025 still feels familiar in the best way. You can flick it on while driving, have it in the background while cooking, or queue up a podcast version of your favourite segment. It is comforting to know the voices, get music suggestions without needing to search, and hear callers from across the UK sharing their stories.
Whether you’re at a live event, listening on the phone, or hearing the match commentary in the background of a pub, radio keeps people connected. It’s not trying to be flashy or reinvent itself every five minutes. It just keeps doing what it does best, playing the tunes, sharing the moments, and bringing people together.