1977 in British radio

This is a list of events in British radio during 1977.

January

 * 3 January – At 6.45am, BBC Radio Cymru launches, and becomes the first broadcasting outlet dedicated wholly to programmes in Welsh. The service is part-time and restricted to breakfast shows, extended news bulletins at breakfast, lunchtime & early evening and a number of off-peak opt-outs from a sustaining Radio 4 Wales English-language feed.

February

 * 14 February – The Annan Committee makes its recommendations and its principle recommendation for radio is for the privatisation of BBC local radio; this is not implemented.

March

 * No events.

April

 * 30 April – The first edition of the Saturday morning magazine programme Sport on Four is broadcast on BBC Radio 4; it will run until 1998.

May

 * 2 May – BBC Radio 4 launches a new breakfast programme Up to the Hour. Consequently, the Today programme is reduced from a continuous two-hour programme to two 25-minute slots. This arrangement lasts for just over a year before Today reverts to a continuous broadcast. This summer, Today starts to carry a daily horse racing tip, which will continue until 2024.

June

 * No events.

July

 * No events.

August

 * 22 August – The BBC Radio comedy The Men from the Ministry airs its final episode after fifteen years on air.

September

 * No events.

October

 * 2 October – The first edition of personal financial advice magazine programme Money Box is broadcast on BBC Radio 4; it will still be running into the 2020s.
 * 11 October – Bing Crosby makes his last ever recordings, three days before his death, at the BBC's Maida Vale Studios.

November

 * 28 November – BBC Radio 1 launches a weekday afternoon programme presented by Tony Blackburn. Previously, the station has simulcasted BBC Radio 2's afternoon show. Tony is replaced on mid-mornings by Simon Bates. Consequently Radio 1 now has its own all-day schedule on weekdays although the station continues to simulcast Radio 2 each night from 7pm, apart from the weekday late night John Peel programme.

December

 * No events.

Station debuts

 * 3 January – BBC Radio Cymru
 * 9 May – BBC Radio Orkney, BBC Radio Shetland

Programme debuts

 * 2 May – Up to the Hour on BBC Radio 4 (1977–1978)
 * 6 September – The News Quiz on BBC Radio 4 (1977–Present)
 * 2 October – Money Box on BBC Radio 4 (1977–Present)
 * 26 October – File on 4 on BBC Radio 4 (1977–Present)
 * 5 November – Albert and Me on BBC Radio 2 (1977–1983)
 * The Enchanting World of Hinge and Bracket on BBC Radio 4 (1977–1979)

1940s

 * Sunday Half Hour (1940–2018)
 * Desert Island Discs (1942–Present)
 * Down Your Way (1946–1992)
 * Letter from America (1946–2004)
 * Woman's Hour (1946–Present)
 * A Book at Bedtime (1949–Present)

1950s

 * The Archers (1950–Present)
 * The Today Programme (1957–Present)
 * Sing Something Simple (1959–2001)
 * Your Hundred Best Tunes (1959–2007)

1960s

 * Farming Today (1960–Present)
 * In Touch (1961–Present)
 * Petticoat Line (1965–1979)
 * The World at One (1965–Present)
 * The Official Chart (1967–Present)
 * Just a Minute (1967–Present)
 * The Living World (1968–Present)
 * The Organist Entertains (1969–2018)

1970s

 * PM (1970–Present)
 * Start the Week (1970–Present)
 * Week Ending (1970–1998)
 * You and Yours (1970–Present)
 * I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue (1972–Present)
 * Good Morning Scotland (1973–Present)
 * Hello Cheeky (1973–1979)
 * Kaleidoscope (1973–1998)
 * Newsbeat (1973–Present)
 * The News Huddlines (1975–2001)
 * The Burkiss Way (1976–1980)

Ending this year

 * 16 July – The Navy Lark (1959–1977)
 * 22 August – The Men from the Ministry (1962–1977)

Births

 * 31 May – Joel Ross, radio and television presenter
 * 22 August – Sarah Champion, radio and television presenter
 * 28 September – John Finnemore, comedy writer-performer
 * 25 October – Anita Rani, radio and television presenter

Deaths

 * 5 September – Elsie Carlisle, "Radio Sweetheart Number One", singer (born 1896)
 * 8 November – Ted Ray, comedian (born 1905)