Scala Radio is a classical music digital radio station in the United Kingdom, owned and operated by Bauer Radio since its launch in March 2019. The station broadcasts nationally on DAB via the Sound Digital multiplex and online through websites and apps, including the station's own. The station was the first national classical music service to launch on terrestrial radio in the UK since Classic FM in 1992.
The station's playlist features 70% popular classics and 30% new and "surprising" music. Scala also aims for more speech content – or more "storytelling" – than Classic FM or BBC Radio 3.
History
On 22 December 2018, following the demise of his BBC Radio 2 drivetime showwhich had been co-hosted with Jo Whiley since May 2018Simon Mayo revealed that "...the new radio show will be announced in January. It will be startling."
A month later, on 21 January 2019, Bauer Radio announced plans to launch a new national classical music service under the name Scala Radio from March, with Mayo having signed up to be one of the lead presenters of the new station. More information about presenters and their shows was confirmed in February 2019.
Scala Radio launched at 10am on 4 March 2019 with Simon Mayo hosting the first live programme. The first track played was the prélude to Carmen Suite No. 1 by Georges Bizet.
Advance weekly listings for Scala Radio were published from launch in Radio Times and the Bauer-owned Total TV Guide. The Radio Times removed listings for BBC Radio 1Xtra and details of news and weather bulletins on Radios 1 and 2 to make space for the new station.
The station launched on Sky on 1 May 2019 on channel 0216 (later moved to channel 0151). It was removed on 14 December 2022, and was replaced by sister station Greatest Hits Radio on the platform.
Presenters
The presenters on Scala Radio include a range of radio and television personalities, some of whom have previously presented on other Bauer stations, as well as with competitor stations such as Classic FM. The current presenters with regular shows are:
Richard Allinson
Angellica Bell
YolanDa Brown
Alexis Ffrench
Mark Forrest
Luci Holland – presents The Console which features video games music
Sam Hughes
Mark Kermode
Simon Mayo
Charles Nove
Jack Pepper
Penny Smith
Ayanna Witter-Johnson
Former presenters
Gemma Cairney
DJ Spoony
Goldie
Sister Bliss
William Orbit
Chris Rogers
Anthea Turner
Midge Ure
Jamie Crick
Audience
According to RAJAR data, the station has a weekly reach of 201,000 people as of September 2023.