Roger Bolton’s Beeb Watch

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

2026-02-05

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 telev...