Minor British Institutions: Classic FM
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Classic FM is the popular classical-music station that has been trained like an Exocet missile at the engine room of middle-class musical tastes for the best part of two decades. But is its thriving existence as a commercial entity with an apparently loyal audience of four million listeners reassuring proof that civilisation is not yet dead? Or is it just unchallenging pop music for oldies, chocolate-box sounds?
It is no surprise that the first piece played, at 6am on Monday 7 September 1992, was "Zadok the Priest". Listeners' preferences are exceedingly important, with regular polls of classical pieces conducted to ensure that the station remains in touch with its core audience: the current favourite in the "Hall of Fame" is "The Lark Ascending" by Vaughan Williams. Hardly less antique are some of its presenters: refugees from the past include Simon Bates, Henry Kelly and David Mellor. Still, they're fine broadcasters and the music is, well, Classic. It hasn't killed Radio 3. Yet.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments