radiotimes.com
I have tried to Google air times for my favorite shows, and I find that it is not quite as simple as it seems like it should be. For the most part, Google comes through very conveniently. If I want to find a recipe, simply type it in and there will be hundreds of options for me to choose from. Looking for the closest restaurant to me and find one in a matter of seconds. But when I Google air times for shows or movies airing on TV or on the radio, I have difficulty finding information.
There are a few sites out there that offer up a lot of helpful information. These sites are dedicated to providing all of this information when you need it, as well as entertainment news and think pieces related to the world of film, TV, radio, and music. Gone are the days when you had to find your Radio Times magazine and thumb through to find out when your favorite shows were going to air. Nowadays, you can just click a few times and get all of this information right at your fingertips.
Radio Times also offers up a wealth of information about the latest movies, music, and books.
If you live in the United Kingdom, there's a good chance that you're already well aware of Radio Times. Maybe you grew up seeing these weekly publications strewn around the house. This publication, though, has done an excellent job of adapting with the times. Although you can still choose to subscribe to the hard copy of Radio Times (if you are a little more old-school by nature), anyone can access Radio Times' content for free on the internet. But it is so much more than just a weekly schedule of what's on TV. Radio Times also offers up a wealth of information about the latest movies, music, and books.
by all of the new and improved features that it has to offer.
If you have not already checked out radiotimes.com, now may be a good time to do so. I think that you may be impressed by all of the new and improved features it has to offer.
History
Radio Times was the world's first broadcast listings magazine, founded in 1923 by John Reith (then manager of the BBC). The magazine was published in-house by BBC Magazines from 1937 until 2011 - when BBC Magazines was folded into Immediate Media Company. In 2017, it was purchased by the German company, Hubert Burda.
Radio Times was first published on September 28, 1923. It cost only 2d, and it offered up details on all BBC Wireless programs, as well as an iconic weekly "message to listeners" which was written by the BBC's chairman at the time, Lord Pease.
The initial vision for Radio Times was to be a joint venture between the BBC and famous publisher George Newnes. However, by the time 1937 rolled around, the BBC had taken complete control of the publication process and quickly gained a reputation for featuring top writers and illustrators. Many of the covers from classic editions of Radio Times are now available as collectible items, revered for their timeless design.
During the Second World War, the Radio Times grew considerably in size and scope, expanding to include Irish broadcasts. However, after the war ended they have not branched out to include American shows or any other broadcasts from other countries in Europe. Radio Times is a strictly British magazine that has always thrived on its English exclusivity.
Design
Although the Radio Times's online presence does not resemble the classic design of the publication, it has retained a sense of understated elegance. They have opted for a very minimalist approach to their web design. It is informative and easy to use, but not flashy or overly interactive by any means. It says, "Here is our content; here are the simple ways in which you can access it." Nothing more, nothing less.
I like the web design of the Radio Times website. It is mostly a black and white theme, with splashes of color here and there provided by images or the odd highlighted article, drawing the eye where the designers want it to be led. The site menu bar is also easy to use. Simply browse the website by any of the following headers: TV Guide, News, TV, On Demand, Film, Sport, Radio, or My Radio Times.
Radio Times offers great content that is both informative and thought-provoking. They blend breaking entertainment news with broadcast information, as well as tons of insider info on upcoming shows and movies. The site look great containing all this information.
Content
So, what about the site design specifically? Well, according to Radio Times, the site is designed to be easy to navigate with a modern feel. They have used a color scheme that is light and airy with afocus on typography. Everything from their social media icons to the official website's call-to-action buttons are reminiscent of sleek, contemporary design. In addition, each individual page has been designed as an "invisible frame" which takes up no space on your screen but still provides all of the necessary information. The navigation bar at the top of every pagealso helps keep everything organized and easy to access.
Overall, I thought the site design was pretty sleek and modern. It was easy to navigate and had a great modern feel.
I love the site's sense of organization in the entertainment news section.
If you're interested in British broadcasting, be sure to check out Radio Times. The ?radio? section of the site is set up just like the TV guide, but it's devoted to radio programming. There's so much information available that it would be impossible to explore it all in one go, but Radio Times offers everything you need to know about British broadcasting.
Desktop and Mobile Experience
I like the way that the desktop version of this website looks and I think the app is just as good. It's easy to use, stripped-down and Spartan, but it still looks good. The way it is set up reads like a weekly publication might, although you can click into articles instead of having to flip around and find them.
I really appreciate the Radio Times app. I love how it mirrors the traditional experience of reading Radio Times magazine. I think that is a great touch. And people seem to agree. The Radio Times app has received a 5-star rating on the Apple App Store. So be on the lookout for that!
Pricing and Plans
Radio Lab is available for free to use to your heart's content. There are no pesky paywalls or subscription fees to pay. Of course, if you wish to subscribe to the weekly paper publication of Radio Times, you will still have to pay. But get ready to enjoy everything that radiotimes.com has to offer - with no price tags! Well, except for the fact that there are ads. But, hey, every site has ads, right? It's a small price to pay, I think, for the amount of great content that this site has to offer.
Suggestions that I have for Radio Times
I think that the only suggestion that I would have for Radio Times is that it could be more personalized. However, it appears that this suggestion has already been anticipated and is being addressed in their My Radio Times app and membership. Besides that, I have no complaints. For what it is, a well of information about British TV and radio, it is almost perfect.
Conclusion
There are very few publications that have been able to survive throughout the entirety of the 20th century and then also flourish in the digital age. In fact, the list is probably small enough to name right now: Rolling Stone magazine, Playboy, Time, People, and Radio Time. However, none of the aforementioned publications have been around for nearly as long as Radio Times. So, it is truly an impressive feat to see them maintain such a successful website. For nearly 200 years, Radio Times has been the authority on British media, and it shows no signs of slowing down.