• Aled Jones to present Classic FM’s flagship morning programme, weekdays from 10am
  • Dawn O’Porter joins the station to host her own Saturday show
  • In his new Friday show, Alexander Armstrong will spotlight the latest recordings and emerging artists
  • Classic FM at the Movies with Jonathan Ross, the station’s blockbuster film music programme, moves to a new time on Fridays and Saturdays, from 6pm
  • Classic FM’s popular video game music show – Next Level with DanTDM – doubles to two hours

 

Classic FM, the UK’s most popular classical music station, is turning up the sunshine this summer with a refreshed schedule, featuring new programmes with Aled Jones, Dawn O’Porter, Alexander Armstrong and changes to its pioneering movie music and video game music shows to welcome new audiences to the world of classical music.

Aled Jones becomes the new host of Classic FM’s biggest show, Monday to Friday from 10am to 1pm, as he presents a brand-new weekday programme, having been a huge hit with listeners on weekend mornings since 2013.

I am excited to be moving into weekday mornings on Classic FM and to take over the reins from my friend Alexander Armstrong, on the biggest programme on the station.

It’s such a special opportunity and I can’t wait to spend even more time with our listeners.

One of the great joys of my job at Classic FM is sharing the very best classical music with our audience, whether it’s a well-known favourite or a new discovery, and to show that the music is for everyone.

Come and join me!

Aled Jones

Aled takes over from Alexander Armstrong, who announced last week that he will host a new Friday show on Classic FM, from 8pm to 10pm – Classical Spotlight with Alexander Armstrong. Every week, he will showcase a well-known classical musician, feature a selection of new recordings and celebrate one of Classic FM’s Rising Stars – one of 30 musicians under the age of 30 being championed by the station. Alexander will share his top picks of special concerts and events in the week ahead, as well as playing a Choral Classic and a complete Full Work.

Following the huge success of her love-themed series earlier this year, the much-loved author and broadcaster Dawn O’Porter joins Classic FM to host a new Saturday show from 12pm to 3pm. With her trademark sense of humour, warmth and curiosity, Dawn will provide the perfect soundtrack for Saturday afternoons with a handpicked mix of favourite pieces and the music which inspires her.

Classic FM is boosting two fan-favourite shows driven by audience demand and its vision to grow its programmes and introduce a new generation of listeners. Its blockbuster film music show Classic FM at the Movies with Jonathan Ross moves to a new time of 6pm to 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays. A huge fan and collector of movie soundtracks, Jonathan hosts two weekly shows packed with iconic film scores, alongside cult classics and the latest movie music from composers such as Hans Zimmer, Wendy Carlos, Rachel Portman and Hildur Guðnadóttir.

Classic FM’s pioneering video game music show Next Level with DanTDM, hosted by the megastar YouTuber and gamer DanTDM, powers up by doubling in size to two action-packed hours of music on Saturdays from 8pm to 10pm. The show launched last year celebrating video game music (VGM) to Classic FM’s audience, as well as introducing VGM fans to the station.

Elsewhere, Calm Classics with Myleene Klass – with the ultimate selection of calming music to help listeners unwind at the end of the day – extends to four hours on Fridays and Saturdays from 10pm to 2am. The schedule also features Classic FM’s star-studded line-up of presenters and programmes, including Classic FM Breakfast with Dan Walker (weekdays 6.30am to 10am), Margherita Taylor (Monday to Thursday 4pm to 7pm and Fridays 4pm to 6pm), Calm Classics with Ritula Shah (Sunday to Thursday 10pm to 1am), Alan Titchmarsh (Saturday 3pm to 6pm) and Stephen Mangan (Sunday 3pm to 6pm).

This summer marks the next exciting chapter for Classic FM, as we launch our refreshed schedule featuring brilliant new programmes from top-notch broadcasters.

It’s fantastic to welcome Aled Jones to weekday mornings, where his sense of fun, enthusiasm and passion for classical music make him a great companion for listeners each day.

Following the overwhelming response to her series earlier this year, we’re also thrilled to welcome Dawn O’Porter to Classic FM, while on Friday evenings, Alexander Armstrong will shine a spotlight on extraordinary artists and new recordings, in a show full of discovery and which reflects the dynamism of the classical music industry.

Along with changes to Classic FM at the Movies with Jonathan Ross and Next Level with DanTDM, our summer schedule reflects our ambition to make classical music inspiring for everyone, while introducing new audiences to the joy and power of music through our world-class programming.

Joseph Zubier, Classic FM’s Managing Editor

Classic FM is available across the UK on Global Player, DAB+ digital radio and TV, 100-102 FM and at ClassicFM.com