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do you still buy BBC radio times?

(31 Posts)
infoman Sun 05-Jul-26 07:49:53

Times have moved on and Radio times in 1955 sold 8.8 million now its down to 300,000 with the average age of the buyers 61.It only produces four separate editions Scotland Ireland Welsh English editions.Who recalls when it published 20 different editions for the U.K. television and radio consumer?

Calendargirl Sun 05-Jul-26 07:54:15

Years ago, we took both Radio and TV Times.

Then started using the tv guides in the weekend papers supplements.

When they got so expensive, I bought a cheap weekly tv guide.

Now we just look up what’s on online, and don’t miss a paper copy at all.

Some nights the tv doesn’t go on after the evening news, especially at the moment when it’s all Wimbledon and World Cup.

BlueBelle Sun 05-Jul-26 08:07:36

It’s all online so no need for the expense

Jaxjacky Sun 05-Jul-26 08:24:56

I buy the Christmas Radio Times, nostalgia really.

NotAGran55 Sun 05-Jul-26 08:28:30

I’ve never bought it, but my parents used to buy the Christmas edition.

Doodledog Sun 05-Jul-26 08:44:25

We used to get it every week, then (ages ago) we moved to just the Christmas edition. Now we just look on the screen guide to see what's on, but more usually watch streamed content anyway.

My husband still tends to get both the RT and the TV Times at Christmas, but for the last couple of years they have been recycled pretty much unread. They are so expensive, too.

Grandma70s Sun 05-Jul-26 08:52:42

I still subscribe to it. I know I can look online, but I just like to have pages to turn. Sheer habit. I’ve read it since I was a student, and before that at home as a schoolgirl. It’s part of my life.

Franbern Sun 05-Jul-26 09:28:57

Back in the early 1950's, when I started at my Secondary Grammar) school, the first thing we made in 'sewing' class was a Radio Time cover. Simple really, folded over material, front of which we embroidered to our own design, had to make neat hems all round, Piece of cardboard inserted one side. Done in first term ready for Xmas present for parents.

I still enjoy the Radio Times, like the comments, information on programmes and puzzles. My son pays for an annual subscription for me. It is very pricey - do not think I would have it if I had to pay for it.

Luckygirl3 Sun 05-Jul-26 10:05:05

I have a sub and it drops through the door. It is expensive but has everything in one place rather than having to flit around online; and I can circle the things I would like to watch. And the crossword is quite good.

Charleygirl5 Sun 05-Jul-26 10:28:03

Because of my failing eyesight I no longer buy it or the TV Times. I rely on the TV guide.

crazyH Sun 05-Jul-26 10:33:54

No

Tuliptree Sun 05-Jul-26 11:04:54

I get it on subscription. There’s always an offer somewhere - my current one is for 6 months and works out about £2.30 a copy. I enjoy being able to find a wide range of programmes especially the more obscure ones . The feature articles vary in interest. It’s also good for detail on radio programmes.

butterandjam Sun 05-Jul-26 11:29:40

Its no longer a BBC magazine its owned by IPC media.

It carries listings for all major terrestrial, cable and satellite television channels in the United Kingdom and that's why we buy it. Unusual films and foreign programs are listed and described that I'd never have heard of otherwise.

butterandjam Sun 05-Jul-26 11:32:36

bah, not IPC media, RT is now owned by Immediate Media Company.

Chestnut Sun 05-Jul-26 11:51:02

I still get the Radio Times! The amount of information in there is astonishing, details of all the smaller channels which you might otherwise miss. I love the way it highlights and describes various movies and new programmes. I look through it every day to see what's on tomorrow so I can set the TV box to record.

There were a lot of problems with subscriptions a couple of years ago, when they were taking far too much money. It was a company doing it, not Radio Times. I think they sorted it out in 2024 and as butterandjam says it is now Immediate Media. My subscription is £52 and goes through twice a year. Is anyone paying more or less than that? I'd be interested to know.

Luckygirl3 Sun 05-Jul-26 11:57:15

The only annoying thing about it is that TV and radio are listed seperately rather than all on the same day. How silly is that? I want to know what I can both watch and listen to on that day and not have to flit back and forth to the front and back of the mag!

Pittcity Sun 05-Jul-26 12:02:53

I don't look at a TV guide at all any more nor do I record anything. I tend to binge a series or watch a film on a streaming service as and when it suits me.
Any events I'd like to watch live are advertised on news and social media. I hardly ever watch on my TV set preferring to use a laptop or tablet.
TV will be going the way of telephones in the next 10 years or so with terrestrial TV via ariel being turned off in favour of smart streaming.

Himdowntheroad Sun 05-Jul-26 12:11:38

We used to get both the Radio Times and TV Times until they both carried all listings, the it was just the Radio Times.

We then just started using the free on in the Saturday papers .

We would get the Radio Times at Christmas, stopped doing that the year of Covid and then decided to start again last Christmas but when we saw it was, IIRC, nearly £6 we thought again.

Silvershadow Sun 05-Jul-26 12:12:59

I get a tv magazine at the weekends with the newspaper but I access Radio Times online too. We always bought it at Christmas.

Pittcity Sun 05-Jul-26 12:22:45

I have just had a look and found that Radio Times is available to read online through my local library service using Borrowbox. Could save you a fortune in magazine subscriptions.

Visgir1 Sun 05-Jul-26 12:44:48

My DH doesn't think it's Christmas until he buys the Christmas Radio Times, it's the only time we have it, but I do keep the Culture from the Sunday Times with the weeks viewing in it.

butterandjam Sun 05-Jul-26 12:51:40

Chestnut

I still get the Radio Times! The amount of information in there is astonishing, details of all the smaller channels which you might otherwise miss. I love the way it highlights and describes various movies and new programmes. I look through it every day to see what's on tomorrow so I can set the TV box to record.

There were a lot of problems with subscriptions a couple of years ago, when they were taking far too much money. It was a company doing it, not Radio Times. I think they sorted it out in 2024 and as butterandjam says it is now Immediate Media. My subscription is £52 and goes through twice a year. Is anyone paying more or less than that? I'd be interested to know.

I use it the same way, to record whatever we want to watch.

Until a few months ago I always had RT on cheap subscription delivered by post ( free, same cost). But our postal service has become so erratic, sometimes the new copy arrived so late it missed the first days of new programs. Given up on that.

We're just buying it OTC in the supermarket now.

butterandjam Sun 05-Jul-26 13:05:54

Pittcity

I have just had a look and found that Radio Times is available to read online through my local library service using Borrowbox. Could save you a fortune in magazine subscriptions.

It would take a week to read all the many hundreds/ thousands of different programs online.

I can afford whatever takes my fancy.

Same old story, everything falls effortlessly into the lap of boomer by sheer luck. No sweat.

me2u Sun 05-Jul-26 13:32:09

I always bought it but recently I haven't bothered as I look at it online which is adequate for.

keepcalmandcavachon Sun 05-Jul-26 14:20:36

I don't get it weekly any longer but to me its a big part of the whole Christmas kick off, I love looking through and circling anything festive & nostalgic and enjoy the anticipation very muchtchsmile
I probably watch more at Christmas than the rest of the year put together!