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Broadcast Journalism Toolkit

Everything UK journalists need to break into broadcast, produce compelling radio and TV packages, master podcasting, stay Ofcom-compliant, and freelance in broadcasting — all in one place.

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UK radio listening (RAJAR)

Period ending June 2026

Weekly reach and listening hours for all individuals aged 15+, as published by RAJAR — the official measurement for UK radio. These are survey estimates, not counts.

Station or groupBasisWeekly reach (000s)Reach %Avg hours/head
All Radioquarterly51,11987%17.6
All BBC Radioquarterly30,93452%7.5
All BBC Network Radioquarterly28,37048%6.7
BBC Local Radiohalf yearly6,89812%0.8
All Commercial Radioquarterly40,19368%9.7
BBC Radio 1 Brandhalf yearly7,54813%0.8
BBC Radio 1quarterly6,90412%0.7
BBC Radio 1 Anthemshalf yearly5841%—
BBC Radio 1 Dancehalf yearly6151%—
BBC Radio 1Xtrahalf yearly7691%0.1
BBC Radio 2quarterly12,36721%2.3
BBC Radio 4 (including 4 Extra)quarterly9,27616%2
BBC Radio 4quarterly8,93415%1.8
BBC Radio 4 Extraquarterly1,4342%0.2
BBC Radio 5 live (inc. sports extra)quarterly5,91510%0.6
BBC Radio 5 livequarterly5,5039%0.5
Capital Brand (UK)half yearly8,86415%0.8
Classic FM Brand (UK)half yearly4,5148%0.6
Classic FMhalf yearly4,2867%0.6
Classic FM Calmquarterly3581%—
Classic FM Moviesquarterly153—%—
Heart Brand (UK)half yearly12,82622%1.4
LBC Brand (UK)half yearly3,6886%0.5
talkSPORT Networkhalf yearly3,6686%0.4
talkSPORThalf yearly3,3216%0.4
talkSPORT2half yearly5311%—
Times Radiohalf yearly6601%0.1
BBC Local Radio in Englandhalf yearly4,69010%0.7
LBC (UK)half yearly2,8975%0.5
LBC Londonquarterly1,40011%1.2
LBC News (UK)half yearly1,1982%0.1
LBC News (London)quarterly5084%0.1

The basis column matters. Stations with smaller audiences are reported over a longer survey period so the sample is usable, which means a yearly-reported station and a quarterly-reported one are not directly comparable. Reach counts anyone who listened for at least five minutes in a week, so a high reach with low average hours is a station people sample rather than settle into — a distinction worth making before writing that one station “beat” another.

Source: RAJAR quarterly listening · retrieved 2026-09-13.

Last reviewed: Next review due:

Start here

This hub covers every stage of UK broadcast journalism — from landing your first trainee role to navigating Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code as an experienced producer. Use the 16 guides below for practical, immediately applicable knowledge.

New to broadcast? Start with Getting into broadcast journalism, then Writing for radio or Writing for TV news. Already working in broadcast? Jump to Ofcom rules, podcast production, or freelance broadcasting.

On this page

15 Broadcast Journalism Guides

Fifteen dedicated, regularly-reviewed guides covering every aspect of UK broadcast journalism — each with plain-English explanations, red flags, practical checklists, and primary source links.

Getting into broadcast journalism
BJTC accreditation, BBC/ITN/Sky trainee schemes, local radio entry, clips, and voice demos.
Writing for radio
Script structure, intros, cues, packages, writing for the ear, timing, and pronunciation guides.
Writing for TV news
Package structure, PTCs, OOV, VOSOT, reading to pictures, and the two-shot rule.
Voice and presentation skills
Breathing, projection, autocue, camera presence, nerves, warm-ups, and vocal health.
Field reporting basics
Kit lists for radio and TV, stand-up techniques, framing your own PTC, audio, and power.
Interview techniques for broadcast
Open questions, silence, usable clips, room tone, pre-interview prep, and managing nerves.
Podcast production UK
Equipment by budget, microphones, software, remote recording, hosting, and distribution.
News podcast formats
Daily news, narrative documentary, panel, interview-led, episode structure, and show notes.
Audio editing basics
Cuts, fades, levels, room tone, EQ, compression, LUFS standards, and exporting for podcast.
TV news editing basics
Premiere Pro, Avid Media Composer, DaVinci Resolve, B-roll, lower-thirds, and export settings.
Ofcom broadcast rules in practice
The Broadcasting Code applied: watershed, impartiality, right of reply, suicide reporting, and complaints.
Due impartiality in practice
Controversial topics, false balance, election rules, referendum coverage, and minority views.
Working with camera operators
Building rapport, shot requests, B-roll, framing, lighting basics, sound priority, and locations.
Live broadcasting basics
Breaking news, reading off the cuff, earpiece management, technical failure, and recovery.
Freelance broadcasting UK
BBC/ITN/Sky fees, IR35, NUJ Broadcasting Branch, rosters, kit insurance, and rate negotiation.

Useful Tools

Use these free tools from our toolkit to sharpen your pitch, generate a right-of-reply request, or produce a corrections notice.

Pitch Generator v2
Draft a broadcast pitch for radio or TV news in seconds. Includes angle, hook, and potential contributors.
Right of Reply Generator
Generate a properly worded right-of-reply request before broadcasting a sensitive allegation.
Corrections Generator
Produce a broadcast-ready corrections notice that meets Ofcom expectations for accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a broadcast journalism qualification to work in UK broadcast?
A formal qualification is not always legally required, but most BBC, ITN, and Sky entry-level roles expect applicants to have either a postgraduate broadcast journalism diploma (ideally BJTC-accredited) or relevant demonstrable experience. BJTC-accredited courses are offered by City, University of London; Cardiff University; Sheffield University; and others. Practical experience — student radio, hospital radio, community TV — can substitute for qualifications at some commercial radio stations and digital-only outlets.
What is the difference between a package, a voicer, and a two-way?
A package is a pre-recorded broadcast report combining a journalist's voice, clips from interviewees, and possibly natural sound, wrapped in a cue read by the presenter. A voicer is a recorded report in only the journalist's own voice — no clips. A two-way (or Q&A) is a live or recorded exchange between a presenter in the studio and a reporter in the field, usually unscripted. Each has different production requirements and is appropriate for different story types.
What is the Ofcom Broadcasting Code and which broadcasters does it apply to?
The Ofcom Broadcasting Code sets rules for all UK-licensed broadcasters — including BBC television and radio services regulated under a separate licence framework, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, Sky, and thousands of commercial radio stations. It covers standards on harm and offence (the 9pm watershed), impartiality (especially in news and elections), accuracy, privacy, and the protection of under-18s. Print journalists and online-only outlets are not subject to the Code.
How do I calculate words-per-minute for a broadcast script?
The standard rule of thumb in UK broadcasting is approximately 180 words per minute for a comfortable broadcast read — roughly three words per second. A 30-second radio package runs to around 90 words; a 90-second TV package runs to around 270 words. Always read your script aloud while timing it: reading speed varies considerably between journalists and by the nature of the content.
Can I freelance as a broadcast journalist without being IR35-compliant?
IR35 (the off-payroll working rules) applies when a freelancer works through a personal service company (PSC) for a broadcaster that would otherwise treat the role as employed. From April 2021, responsibility for determining IR35 status shifted to the engaging organisation for medium and large broadcasters. Most BBC, ITV, and Sky freelance engagements now require the broadcaster to assess your status. Working directly as a sole trader (not through a PSC) removes IR35 as a concern, but you should still keep accurate records and understand your tax obligations. Seek advice from an accountant familiar with broadcast freelancing.
What LUFS standard should I target for podcast audio?
Most major podcast platforms normalise audio on delivery, but the widely recommended target for podcast masters is -16 LUFS integrated loudness (for stereo) with a true peak of no higher than -1 dBTP. Spotify targets -14 LUFS; Apple Podcasts accepts up to -16 LUFS. Aim for -16 LUFS and let platforms adjust upward if needed rather than submitting loud audio that may be clipped. Your editing software (Hindenburg, Adobe Audition, Descript) will have a loudness meter or normalisation tool.

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