Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2 has re-launched its website with a fresh new design reflecting the entertaining personality of the network.

The existing content has been reorganised into four sections – Music, Comedy, Documentaries, and Events – making it easier for listeners to find Radio 2 programmes, information, photos, video and music to listen to and watch online.

The website design also has two themes based on the Daytime and Night-time programmes.

The Daytime theme uses a range of objects associated with the shows to reflect the way Radio 2 accompanies everyday British life.

The Night-time treatment reflects the diverse range of presenters and music that is heard on the station after 7.00pm.

Traditionally radio show website design has been presenter-led but in the new site, the audience, the guests, the music and the context are more visible than ever before.

For example, the design for Chris Evans' Drivetime show features a host of illustrated colourful characters making their way from their daytime to early evening life.

Mark Radcliffe and Stuart Maconie are drawn from photos taken in their Manchester studio. Listeners can also now customise their Radio 2 homepage by choosing to link to their top six programmes.

An exciting "first" has also been integrated into the new Radio 2 website, with the addition of clickable track listings.

This is the first of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio network sites to have this feature added to the site. It gives audiences a whole host of new information about their favourite band or artist all in one simple place.

Track lists and music played on each of the shows are available online and have become fully interactive.

They each are linked with the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's new 400,000 music artist pages that automatically aggregate information from across the web.

The artist pages enable listeners to find out more about the music that they hear on the station, show which of the various Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio stations play that artist/band the most, and how many times the songs have been played.

Bob Shennan, Controller, Radio 2, says: "This is the most significant change to the website since Radio 2 first went online. Radio 2 has an important role to play in enabling the traditional radio audience to use the digital services that the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ offers and this is a positive step in that direction."

Richard Titus, Controller of Future Media for Audio & Music, adds: "I'm delighted that the new Radio 2 website aims to really improve the audience's experience of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's radio services online."

The Radio 2 website can be found at bbc.co.uk/radio2.

A guide to using the new Radio 2 website can be found at bbc.co.uk/radio2/help/site-guide.

SH3