1950 in British radio

This is a list of events from British radio in 1950.

Events

 * 6 June – the BBC Light Programme first broadcasts Educating Archie, featuring ventriloquist Peter Brough and his schoolboy dummy Archie Andrews (sic.); the series runs for 10 years and averages 15 million listeners.
 * 7 June – The Archers pilot episodes debut on BBC radio; the series will still be running 70 years later, and actress June Spencer, who appears in the opening pilot, will still be appearing up to her 103rd birthday.
 * 5 November – the BBC Light Programme first broadcasts Life with the Lyons, the UK's first sitcom, featuring British-domiciled American couple Ben Lyon and Bebe Daniels.
 * 3 December – the BBC Light Programme first broadcasts the magazine and variety programme Calling All Forces featuring Ted Ray; his catchphrase "You should use stronger elastic" originates.
 * Gracie Fields' radio show transfers from the BBC to Radio Luxembourg, where it is sponsored by Wisk soap powder.

Debuts

 * 16 January – Listen with Mother, on the BBC Light Programme (1950–1982)
 * 6 June – Educating Archie, on the BBC Light Programme (1950–1960)
 * 7 June – The Archers, pilot episode (1950–Present)
 * 5 November – Life with the Lyons, on the BBC Light Programme (1950–1961)
 * 3 December – Calling All Forces, on the BBC Light Programme (1950–1952)

1930s

 * In Town Tonight (1933–1960)

1940s

 * Music While You Work (1940–1967)
 * Sunday Half Hour (1940–2018)
 * Desert Island Discs (1942–Present)
 * Family Favourites (1945–1980)
 * Down Your Way (1946–1992)
 * Have A Go (1946–1967)
 * Housewives' Choice (1946–1967)
 * Letter from America (1946–2004)
 * Woman's Hour (1946–Present)
 * Twenty Questions (1947–1976)
 * Any Questions? (1948–Present)
 * Mrs Dale's Diary (1948–1969)
 * Take It from Here (1948–1960)
 * Billy Cotton Band Show (1949–1968)
 * A Book at Bedtime (1949–Present)
 * Ray's a Laugh (1949–1961)

Births

 * 2 February – Libby Purves, radio presenter.
 * 12 May – Jenni Murray, journalist, presenter of Woman's Hour
 * 5 June – Jonathan Fryer, foreign correspondent, writer and politician (died 2021)
 * 8 July – Sarah Kennedy, radio presenter