How can I receive Russian radio channels in the UK, either on digital radio or internet/online?
– Joe
Although there are hundreds of digital radio stations around the UK, there are currently no radio stations which broadcast from outside the UK.
However, there is currently one Russian-language radio station available in the UK. The entertainment oriented Matryoshka Radio is available on DAB digital radio in London, having launched in the capital in 2015.
Until last year Radio Sputnik was also available in London.
Only UK-based radio stations are able to apply to broadcast on digital radio. In 2017 the Government announced plans which could allow radio stations from outside the UK, starting with Irish RTÉ Radio 1, to broadcast in the UK.
Russian radio stations online
Internet radios, smartphone and tablet apps and websites mean it’s possible to listen to hundreds of radio stations from Russia.
On a smartphone or tablet you can install the TuneIn online radio app. Once installed you can browse stations by location or language. Choosing Europe, then Russia should reveal Radio Rossii, Radio Mayak and other stations. You can narrow down your search by city, or search for the station name – such as ‘NRJ Moscow’.
If you prefer to listen with a standalone radio there are several models which receive internet radio stations. Models like the Pure Evoke F3 and Roberts Stream104 can be used to listen to Russian radio stations online, as well as FM/DAB/DAB+ stations in the UK.
These internet radios use pre-configured directories, so it’s possible to search by location – or for the name of the station if you’re looking for a specific channel.
On computers and laptops you can also search for Russian radio stations. The majority will have their own website where you can listen online and often on-demand. This is useful if a programme which interests you is not broadcast at a convenient time.