Aerial ears

Radio 2 is what the BBC used to call 'The Light Programme'. It always used to be the safe radio station for undemanding housewives, but now we have commercial radio to cater for that demographic, so it's now a lot better than that.

If you've never listened to British radio before, it's now all online. Take a listen here.

Radio 1: Chart music. I now find it unlistenable to, not because I don't like new music but because most records are now autotuned to death and I can detect it so easily it sets my teeth on edge. Lots of rap, grime and X-factor winners.
Radio 1 Xtra: Urban music - essentially the BBC trying to beat the pirate stations at their own game.
Radio 2: Pop music for an older demographic. It has a heavier dependence on oldies, and features non-threatening DJs. Adele's natural home. However, in the evenings their remit widens and you'll find some excellent specialist music programmes on there.
Radio 3: Highbrow classical music, talks and drama.
Radio 4: This is what my radio tends to be tuned to permanently. News, talk, documentaries, drama and comedy. Imagine NPR, but remove the smugness and make it interesting.
Radio 4 Extra: Classic drama and comedy from the Radio 4 archives. Plus some children's programmes.
Radio 5: News, sport and phone ins. Radio Bloke without the right-wing nuttiness.
Radio 6: Music for musos. Sort of like Mojo or Uncut magazines on the air. Most of the DJs are chin stroking rock journalists.
And radio stations for Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, another bit of Northern Ireland that isn't speaking to the rest of Northern Ireland (sigh) and a few Celtic languages.