World Radio Day 2024: Everything You Need to Know
Broadcasters, it’s your time. World Radio Day celebrates the audio-only medium in all its glory. So here’s everything you need to know with some fresh ideas on how to mark the day.
As official radio nerds, we’re chuffed there’s an official and international day to celebrate this wonderful way of broadcasting: World Radio Day. If you’re after all the details and some ideas of how you can recognise the day, dive right in.
World Radio Day Background
World Radio Day is on the 13th of February each year. It's now in its 13th year and was first announced back in 2011 by UNESCO’s member states.
Two years later in 2013, the United Nations General Assembly gave it their stamp of approval and endorsed it as an international day.
World Radio Day 2024 Theme
The theme of World Radio Day 2024 is “Radio: A century informing, entertaining and educating."
World Radio Day’s theme in 2024 shines a broad floodlight on Radio’s remarkable past, relevant present and promise of a dynamic future.
Radio as a medium is now over 100 years old. The World Radio Day theme gives us the opportunity to celebrate how radio has enriched lives and society. And continues to do so. Even at a time when it faces certain challenges. In particular, this edition of World Radio Day marks
- Radio's history and its powerful impact upon news, drama, music & sports.
- Radio as a relatively free and portable form of communication during emergencies and power outages, whether that's brought on by natural or man-made disasters.
- How radio can be a vessel for free-speech and a grassroots tool for connecting underserved groups.
In 2024, radio comes in a lot of shapes and sizes. From commercial networks to independent broadcasters, the radio landscape is diverse.
Broadcasters are encouraged to bring their own culture, style and sensibilities to their individual celebrations leading up to and during the February 13 event.
How you celebrate World Radio Day is up to you. But keep reading for some ideas.
The Previous Themes of World Radio Day
- 2023: Radio & Peace
- 2022: Radio and Trust
- 2021: New World, New Radio - Evolution, Innovation, Connection
- 2020: Radio and Diversity
- 2019: Dialogue, Tolerance and Peace
- 2018: Radio and Sports
- 2017: Radio Is You
- 2016: Radio In Times of Emergency and Disaster
- 2015: Youth and Radio
- 2014: Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in Radio
- 2012 & 2013: No theme
How to Celebrate World Radio Day On Air
World Radio Day 2023 may just be around the corner, but there’s still time to mark the day…
1. Re-Spin Iconic Radio Moments From The Past
There have been countless iconic radio moments, why not ask your listeners what they remember? Get the ball rolling with moments you heard first-hand, from nail-biting sports games to famous deaths.
2. Play the Best Music Discovered on the Radio
Music and Radio go hand-in-hand. Many of our music tastes and knowledges are in part thanks to radio stations. Go deep and reveal the songs that changed you over the years. Involve your listeners to share their stories and take a collective trip down memory lane.
3. Celebrate Other Broadcasters
Good radio hosts touch countless lives. We're willing to bet one or two even inspired you on your broadcasting journey. Pay homage to the Greats that came before you by producing a segment on them. You can talk about touching moments, when they broke a particular record or how they changed public opinions. If you're in need of inspiration, here's our 100 famous radio hosts of the century.
4. Partner Up With a Radio Station in a Different Country
Go international, baby. Find a radio station abroad that's marking the day, and partner up with them. You could relay each others stream or play their pre-recorded segments for the global outlook. Check out our Facebook Community page to find a station.
5. Celebrate Your Local Town
Or city, or area. Use World Radio Day to create special programmes about your local area. Shine a spotlight on unsung heroes, salute the best spots and big up local businesses. Radio has been revered for over 100 years because it brings people together, and what better way to show this in action?
These are just some ideas to get you started. Remember, World Radio Day is a day to get creative with your programmes.
How Will You Mark World Radio Day?
We wish broadcasters and listeners alike a happy World Radio Day. How will you mark the day? Let us know over on over on your favourite social media platform.
