Project to Digitise the Archive of the Independent Local Radio (ILR) Programme Sharing Scheme

"This project is now complete and the entire Programme Sharing Archive, consisting of 1,570 quarter-inch analogue audio tapes has been digitised. This archive is a unique record of a key time in the history of British commercial radio, in danger of being obliterated forever as the oxide on the original tapes progressively degenerates. The collection also created a catalogue of data captured from the Programme Sharing Information Sheets.

The electronic catalogue of Independent Local Radio Programme sharing scheme documents the content of 1,123 sound files which are digitised versions of the original Programme Sharing Archive, which consists of 1,570 quarter-inch analogue audio tapes of various durations. This unique record of a key time in the history of commercial radio, which has been largely forgotten has until now been in danger of being obliterated forever as the oxide on the original tapes progressively degenerates. The collection also contains the Programme Sharing Information Sheets, detailing information and personnel featured in the making of the programmes as well as interviewees, cast members etc., theme, title, summary of content and the producing station. Many of these stations have long since ceased to exist. The history of commercial radio in Britain is seen to have commenced in October 1973 with the granting of a land-based licence to LBC, the London Broadcasting Company. Before the 1990 Broadcasting Act, commercial radio in Britain was administered by the IBA (Independent Broadcasting Authority). The IBA created strict rules dictating the amount of "meaningful speech" broadcast on each station; religious programming and community content were seen as important and vital elements of the way stations served their respective areas. Current affairs, drama and features producers within commercial radio sought to attain high standards in their attempts to rival the BBC. The value of this archive to Radio Studies/Radio Research is that it represents evidence of a style of commercial broadcasting which no longer exists in Britain. The efforts of broadcasters in early ILR resulted in programmes of impressive quality, which are worthy of study today". (see AHDS cross-search catalogue for further details).