This is a list of events in British radio during 1972.
Events
January
19 January – The government announces the lifting of all restrictions on broadcasting hours on television and radio.
February
No events.
March
31 March – BBC Radio 2 airs its final Breakfast Special.
April
2 April – First edition of the comedy panel game I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue is aired on BBC Radio 4. In 2020 (when it will still be running) the programme will be voted the greatest radio comedy of all time by a panel convened by Radio Times.[1]
25 August – Following a decision by the government to restrict the BBC to twenty local radio stations, the corporation responds by closing BBC Radio Durham. Its resources are transferred to Carlisle where BBC Radio Carlisle, later BBC Radio Cumbria, is launched.
September
24 September – Pick of the Pops is broadcast for the final time.
October
The Independent Broadcasting Authority invites applications for the first two local radio licences in London: one for a general and entertainment station, the other for news and information.[2] The licence for the entertainment service sees eight organisations applying, many of them with established entertainment pedigrees, including Associated Television and Isle of Man broadcaster Manx Radio.
1 October – The first edition of a new Sunday teatime programme Solid Gold Sixty is broadcast on BBC Radio 1. Presented by Tom Browne, the programme consists of two hours featuring the Radio One playlist tracks which are not in the Top 20, followed by a one-hour Top 20 rundown from 6pm - 7pm (which is carried also on BBC Radio 2's FM transmitters).
5 October – Due to high demand by residents who do not have VHF/FM on their radios, BBC Radio Oxford begins broadcasting on 202 metres medium wave (1484 kHz).
November
4 November – Radios 2 and 4 begin broadcasting in stereo in South East England. Stereo is rolled out to the rest of the country over subsequent years.[3]
