Classic FM -The greatest music in the world

Listen to Classic FM online. Explore classical music and learn more about the best classical composers, musicians and their works.

Classic FM is the UK's most popular classical music radio station.

Classic FM's Values ​​and Purpose

Classic FM is a 100% classical music radio station. Since its launch in September 1992, the station has brought classical music to millions of people in the UK. Classic FM is listened to by around 5 million listeners every week, making it the world's largest classical music radio station.

Classic FM is part of the media and entertainment group Global. The company owns the three major brands of commercial radio: Heart, Capital and Classic FM, as well as Capital Xtra, Smooth, LBC, radio X and Gold.

The company is led by founder and executive chairman Ashley Tabor, global group chief executive Stephen Miron and director of broadcasting and content James Rea. The company chairman is Sir Charles Allen.

History of Classic FM

In the summer of 1992, the UK's first national commercial radio station was launched to the sound of birdsong. Two months later, on 7 September 1992, Classic FM made its first radio broadcast.

At 6am on Monday 7 September, Handel's Zadok the Reverend announced the station's arrival, with Nick Bailey being the first voice listeners heard on the air. Reaction to the station was mixed, with many critics and advertisers not giving it a chance. Classic FM was launched with an expected audience of 2.8 million. Four and a half months after it was launched, official figures showed that 4.3 million people tuned in each week, making it the fourth most watched station in the country.

Since then, the station has gone from strength to strength. Further evidence of the station's success came the following year when Classic FM was named Station of the Year at the Sony Awards, the first of three such awards the station has won since 1992. Since those early days, Classic FM has become a firm part of the UK's classical music life. In 2011, Classic FM was named Station of the Year at the Arqiva Commercial Radio Awards, and in 2012 Classic FM received a Special Gold Award from the Sony Broadcast Academy in recognition of the station's outstanding contribution to UK radio over the past two decades. In 2013, Classic FM was named UK Radio Brand of the Year at the Sony Awards.

We believe that classical music is the greatest musical genre ever created. Our goal is to share it with the widest possible audience, no matter who they are or where they are. We always want to ensure that the performances we broadcast are of the highest integrity and quality. But at the same time, we always try to break down some of the barriers that have formed around classical music.

Classical music is at the heart of everything we do at Classic FM, and we believe that classical music can and should be a part of everyone's life - regardless of age, which is why the station starts young, with music education in schools being a big part of its work. Classic FM makes classical music an essential part of the modern lifestyle. To achieve this, the station plays both familiar music and lesser-known works, all designed to uplift, soothe and inspire.