BBC Radio 3 Unwind, a new 24/7 stream featuring a wide and eclectic range of soothing classical music, launches on BBC Sounds on Monday 4 November at 6am. The new programme, presented by an exceptional line-up of presenters, supports listeners’ daily routines, with the aim of improving their wellbeing and helping them escape the pressures of everyday life.

Drawing on the expertise of its presenters and producers, each of the new programs in the schedule is carefully selected to offer listeners the best restorative classical music, with selections spanning the centuries, from the Middle Ages to the present day. In addition to a diverse range of music, the stream will also include content promoting focus and relaxation, as well as contributions from guest experts and academics in fields such as psychology, neuroscience and mental health.

BBC Radio 3 Unwind’s presenter line-up reflects voices from across the UK and beyond, including Edith Bowman, Dr Sian Williams, Niall Breslin and AFRODEUTSCHE, who join familiar names from Radio 3 and BBC Sounds such as Ólafur Arnalds, Sara Mohr-Pietsch, Hannah Peel and Izzy Judd.

The program champions the music of living composers, with a particular emphasis on those from the United Kingdom. It reflects emerging artist-songwriters, as well as BBC Introducing artists, bringing their music to a wider audience. BBC Radio 3 Unwind also broadcasts the music of under-represented composers and includes live and specially recorded repertoire from BBC orchestras and choirs and Radio 3’s new generation artists.

Sam Jackson, Controller of BBC Radio 3 and BBC Proms, said: “We’re delighted to launch BBC Radio 3 Unwind: our new stream offering listeners an exciting gateway to classical music. With carefully curated shows and distinctive programming, Radio 3 Unwind will create a space for respite and escape, brought to you by our line-up of world-class broadcasters.

As our lives become increasingly busy with technology, deadlines and stress, the music broadcast on BBC Radio 3 Unwind offers the perfect antidote, whilst supporting new and emerging talent – ​​and showcasing outstanding music which is simply not heard anywhere else.

More detailed schedule from BBC Radio 3 Unwind:

Preparing listeners for the day ahead, broadcaster, psychologist and host of BBC Radio 4’s Life Changing podcast, Dr Sian Williams, presents the daily mid-morning programme, Classical Unwind. Featuring a wide selection of classical music, Classical Unwind also incorporates helpful advice from experts, including neuroscientist and author Professor Catherine Loveday.

Film expert and broadcaster Edith Bowman provides a musical backdrop to late afternoons Monday through Saturday with escapist music from film and television in her new show, Cinematic Soundtracks. The presenter, who also hosts the popular podcast Soundtracking, highlights new releases as well as a rich array of music from the big screen spanning the last 50 years, showcasing the composers and musicians who have shaped our perception of image moving.

From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Irish musician, composer, podcaster and mental health advocate Niall Breslin, Honorary Fellow of the Irish Royal College of Surgeons, helps listeners recharge after a busy day with Classical Wind Down. This new program features a diverse range of classical music, shaped by Niall’s work in sociology and mindfulness.

On Sundays, AFRODEUTSCHE brings Radio 3 Unwind listeners to tantalizing new music from some of the UK’s brightest contemporary classical composers and artists with its new show, Soundwaves. A champion of new music, AFRODEUTSCHE is a BAFTA-nominated composer, DJ, producer and broadcaster, and uses her show to spotlight the next generation of musicians, as well as established contemporary British composers such as Max Richter and Anna Meredith.

Finally, the new nighttime show Sleep Tracks helps listeners escape with a soundscape of classical music, expertly blended with field recordings and the sounds of nature and the outdoors.

Alongside these new shows, BBC Radio 3 Unwind includes popular programs such as Ultimate Calm with Ólafur Arnalds and The Music & Meditation Podcast with NAO and Izzy Judd, as well as the simulcast of Radio 3 Night Tracks with Sara Mohr-Pietsch and Hannah Peel. Its programming also includes some of BBC Sounds’ most listened to and relaxing music mixes, such as Mindful Mix, Piano Focus and The Sleeping Forecast.

The new audio branding and identifiers for the stream were created by Peabody Award-winning and multi-platinum English songwriter, producer and composer Benbrick, recorded by the BBC Concert Orchestra.

EB2

Remarks

As part of the BBC’s commitment to bringing distinctive, high-quality music content to all audiences, we announced plans to launch new music extensions on our popular stations earlier this year.

Radio 1 Dance, with its expanded programming, has already launched on BBC Sounds, and earlier this summer we confirmed that Radio 1 Anthems would be coming to BBC Sounds on November 8.

From Monday, to listen to BBC Radio 3 Unwind, simply go to the live dial at the top of the BBC Sounds homepage and tap Radio 3 Unwind.

Biographies of new presenters

Edith Bowman

Edith Bowman is a television and radio presenter. His radio work covered all the major stations, BBC Radio 1, 2, 6 and 5Live, while his television work included a versatile mix of shows for the BBC, Channel 4 and Sky Arts. Edith has incorporated her true passion and extensive knowledge of music and film into her work. In 2016, she launched Soundtracking With Edith Bowman.

Dr Sian Williams

Dr Sian Williams is a broadcaster and psychologist who has spent almost forty years in television and radio, including over a decade hosting BBC Breakfast. She now presents Radio 4’s ‘Life Changing’. Sian is also a Chartered Counseling Psychologist working within the NHS, helping people recover from anxiety, stress and trauma.

Niall Breslin

Niall Breslin is a prominent Irish mental health advocate, speaker, author, podcaster, musician and former athlete. He holds degrees in economics, sociology, and mindfulness-based interventions, and is pursuing a Ph.D. Niall hosts the award-winning podcast Where Is My Mind and is the author of mental health books for adults and children.

AFRODEUTSCHE

AFRODEUTSCHE is a British-born Ghanaian-Russian-German producer, DJ and songwriter based in Manchester. She hosts the BBC Radio 6 Music show The People’s Party with AFRODEUTSCHE and has created numerous works with ensembles and orchestras around the world.

BBC Radio 3 Relaxation Program

• 12:30 a.m. – 6:00 a.m. – Sleep Tracks – Monday to Sunday
• 6am-9am – Mindful Mix – Monday to Sunday
• 9 a.m.-12 p.m. – Classic relaxation – Monday to Sunday
• 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. – Piano Focus – Monday to Sunday
• 2 p.m.-5 p.m. – Mindful Mix – Monday to Sunday
• 5 p.m.-6 p.m. – Cinematic soundtracks – Monday to Saturday
• 5 p.m.-5:30 p.m. – The Music & Meditation Podcast – Sunday
• 5:30 p.m.-6 p.m. – Classic Mixtape – Sunday
• 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. – Classic Relaxation – Monday to Sunday
• 9 p.m.-10 p.m. – Ultimate Calm – Monday to Saturday
• 9 p.m.-10 p.m. – Soundwaves – Sunday
• 10 p.m.-11:30 p.m. – Night slopes – Monday to Sunday
• 11:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. – The Sleeping Forecast – Monday to Sunday

Production information

• Classic relaxation – Tandem Productions
• Classic Relaxation – BBC Audio London
• Movie soundtracks – Granny Eats Wolf
• Soundwaves – BBC Audio Northern Ireland
• Sleep Tracks – Peanuts and Crumbs
• Mindful Mix – Media Overcoat
• Piano Focus – Reduced listening
• Ultimate Quiet – Reduced Listening
• Night Tracks – BBC Audio London
• Sleep prediction – Reduced listening
• The Music and Meditation Podcast – BBC Audio London