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Book DemoHow Internal Radio Can Revolutionise Comms: A Case Study
Next reached over 10,000 employees with a custom internal radio. Learn how you can keep staff connected and improve team communication with an internal radio station.
In today’s distributed workplaces, strong internal communication is essential. It drives employee engagement, productivity, and retention, especially for companies with deskless workers.
Next, a major UK retailer, faced this issue with its 10,000 employees in logistics roles like picking, packing, and delivery. These workers don’t sit at desks or check emails often. So, Next launched Radio Next, an internal radio station powered by Radio.co. It helped them connect with their workforce in a way no other channel could.
The Challenge of Reaching a Distributed and Deskless Workforce
Next’s logistics and distribution staff are a vital part of their business, but notoriously difficult to reach through conventional communication methods.
10,000 employees working in roles like parcel picking, packing, and driving;
Most staff have little to no desk time or access to computers during shifts;
Drivers, in particular, spend the majority of their day on the road with brief, sporadic time on-site.
Before launching their internal radio, Next used internal social media platforms, which engaged around 80% of their workforce, and weekly emails with a 70% open rate. But it became clear that these channels alone weren’t enough to reach everyone effectively, especially their deskless employees.
Studies back this up: Organisations with highly effective internal communications enjoy 4.5 times more engaged employees and a 47% higher return to shareholders. Since deskless workers make up about 80% of the global workforce, finding accessible communication tools is more important than ever.
Why Internal Radio Resonated: The Personal Touch That Commercial Radio Lacks
Next found that commercial radio stations simply didn’t cut it. As Joey, a presenter at Radio Next, puts it:
When you’re playing commercial stations, it’s just a product thrown at you. But because we can bring it internally, we can make it specifically for people. You can request songs that play instantly. If there’s news about the business, you hear it — whether it’s overtime or what’s on for lunch at the canteen. It just feels more personal.
The core benefit of internal radio is its ability to create a sense of involvement and community among employees. Rather than passive listeners, staff become active participants who can influence the content by requesting songs, taking DJ takeover slots, and hearing timely updates tailored for them.
This direct engagement improves morale, connection, and productivity in ways that emails or social posts cannot replicate.
How Radio.co Empowered Next’s Internal Innovation
Next’s choice of Radio.co was no accident. The platform’s standout features included:
Intuitive, easy-to-learn software with detailed guides and tutorials that allowed Next to master the system even before signing;
Educational content that went beyond software use, teaching team members about radio presenting, mixing, and audience engagement;
A dedicated account manager Amber, who provides personalised help, understands Next’s specific challenges, and coordinates feature requests with the development team;
The ability for Next to maintain full control over the broadcast schedule, building a genuine community feel and flexible scheduling.
To keep every Next warehouse connected, Radio.co built a custom enterprise setup with redundant streams, automated scheduling, and live broadcast tools. Everything runs in a secure cloud system. The Radio.co team worked directly with Next to get it right and keep it running without interruption.
Will, Radio Next’s Producer shares:
We wanted to do it ourselves and make it feel more like a community. Radio.co made it super easy. Everything from scheduling to music upload was seamless.
Real Results: Building an Engaged, Connected Workforce
Since launch, Radio Next has garnered enthusiastic feedback:
Listeners appreciate the music choices and interactive features like DJ takeovers and instant song requests, which make them feel heard and valued;
The station’s themed hours and shows help break up long shifts, providing structure and familiarity that employees enjoy;
Upcoming plans include a dedicated mobile app for drivers, ensuring those on the road stay connected to company news and culture.
Joey sums up the impact:
Radio is one of many ways we communicate, but we believe it’s going to be a game changer.
Next & Radio.co: A Customer Success Story That’s Changing Internal Communication
Next’s partnership with Radio.co illustrates the transformative power of internal radio for large-scale, deskless workforces.
Overcoming Communication Barriers
Next’s 10,000-strong logistics workforce faced the challenge of being spread out with limited access to screens or computers. By adopting radio, Next successfully bridged this gap with a medium that reaches employees wherever they are, be it on the warehouse floor or out on delivery routes.
Empowering Employees
Radio Next empowers employees to become co-creators, not just consumers, of content. Features like instant song requests and DJ takeovers provide a sense of ownership and community that is rare nowadays for staff to have, some of which can often feel isolated from corporate communications.
Dedicated Support and Continuous Improvement
Radio.co’s tailored customer approach has a dedicated point of contact, like Amber is for Next. She is part of Radio Next’s rollout success, making sure that Next’s unique needs are met and software improvements are implemented rapidly.
This hands-on partnership is a key reason why Next could move from concept to a fully operational internal radio station quickly and effectively.
Other Companies Harnessing Internal Radio for Workforce Engagement
Next isn’t alone. Many organisations across industries have leveraged internal radio to boost engagement and communication:
Heathrow Airport
Heathrow uses internal radio to keep its 18,000+ staff updated with safety messages, operational news, and entertainment during long shifts. The radio station engages with staff and shares information that manages to flow across a complex, dynamic environment.
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola implemented an internal radio station in some markets to support employee engagement and align teams on corporate values and initiatives. Their radio programs feature interviews, contests, and wellness tips to keep workers connected and informed.
Marriott International
Marriott launched internal radio to engage their diverse hospitality workforce globally, providing training snippets, company news, and music breaks tailored to various regions and shifts, helping create a cohesive culture despite physical dispersion.
Why Internal Radio Is a Smart Investment
Studies highlight that companies with highly effective internal communication experience:
Up to 25% higher profitability (Watson Wyatt)
40% less turnover (Towers Watson)
3.5 times higher employee engagement (Gallup)
For industries reliant on deskless and frontline workers, internal radio is a proven, scalable, and highly engaging communication tool.
Ready to Launch Your Own Internal Radio Station?
Inspired by Next’s success? Launching your own internet radio station is easier than you think.
Radio.co offers a comprehensive platform, educational resources, and dedicated support to help you:
Connect with hard-to-reach employees
Build a vibrant company culture
Increase engagement and productivity
