1959 in British radio explained

This is a list of events from British radio in 1959.

Events

The BBC Third Programme becomes available in Wales on VHF from Wenvoe transmitting station.

Programme debuts

3 April
- Pick of the Week on the BBC Home Service (1959–Present)
- We're in Business (comedy series starring Peter Jones) on the BBC Home Service (1959–1960)
29 April – The Navy Lark on the BBC Light Programme (1959–1977)
3 July – Sing Something Simple on the BBC Light Programme (1959–2001)
25 November – Your Hundred Best Tunes on the BBC Light Programme (1959–2007)

Continuing radio programmes

1930s

In Town Tonight (1933–1960)

1940s

Music While You Work (1940–1967)
Sunday Half Hour (1940–2018)
Desert Island Discs (1942–Present)
Family Favourites (1945–1980)
Down Your Way (1946–1992)
Have A Go (1946–1967)
Housewives' Choice (1946–1967)
Letter from America (1946–2004)
Woman's Hour (1946–Present)
Twenty Questions (1947–1976)
Any Questions? (1948–Present)
Mrs Dale's Diary (1948–1969)
Take It from Here (1948–1960)
Billy Cotton Band Show (1949–1968)
A Book at Bedtime (1949–Present)
Ray's a Laugh (1949–1961)

1950s

The Archers (1950–Present)
Educating Archie (1950–1960)
Listen with Mother (1950–1982)
The Goon Show (1951–1960)
From Our Own Correspondent (1955–Present)
Pick of the Pops (1955–Present)
The Clitheroe Kid (1957–1972)
My Word! (1957–1988)
Test Match Special (1957–Present)
The Today Programme (1957–Present)

Ending this year

29 December – Hancock's Half Hour (1954–1959)

Births

9 January – Andy Kershaw, world music presenter
11 April – John Myers, radio executive and presenter (died 2019)
22 May – Graham Fellows, comedy performer
2 October – Kevin Eldon, comedy actor

Deaths

26 January – Larry Stephens, comedy scriptwriter (born 1923)

See also