Desert Island Discs named best radio show of all time, beating The Archers and Round the Horne

‘It’s an absolutely genius format,’ said the series’ producer of the show’s success

Desert Island Discs (BBC)

A new poll has named Desert Island Discs the greatest radio programme of all time.

Radio Times brought together a panel of industry experts – including presenter Cerys Matthews, the Today programme’s Justin Webb, BBC Radio 5 live presenter Adrian Chiles, news presenter Caroline Wyatt and Radio 4’s Sue MacGregor – who listed the 30 best radio shows of all time.

Desert Island Discs, the iconic Radio 4 programme in which interviewees are asked to name eight records, a book and a luxury item that they would take with them to a deserted island, first aired in 1942. It is currently presented by Lauren Laverne.

Cathy Drysdale, producer of the show, said: “It’s certainly wonderful for the programme. It’s an absolutely genius format. The format makes sure that each programme gets to the heart of people – what moves them and motivates them, what inspires them and enthuses them, who and what they care about. Those are all such incredibly human things that are applicable to absolutely everybody listening.”

Other highly ranked programmes in the list include long-running drama The Archers, which came in second place, and mid-60s comedy Round the Horne in third. Wake Up to Wogan, which landed in 12th place, was the only Radio 2 show to make the cut.

“Desert Island Discs is a deserved winner,” said Mark Firth, editor of the Radio Times, “with a back catalogue which reflects our cultural history and still remains as relevant, entertaining and insightful as it ever was.”

The full list of programmes can be viewed below.

30. Private Passions, Radio 3 – 1995 – present

29. The World Tonight, Radio 4 – 1970 – present

28. Ed Reardon’s Week, Radio 4 – 2005 – present

27. The Reunion, Radio 4 – 2003 – present

26. The Shuttleworths, Radio 4 – 1993 – 2010

25. The Proms, Radio 3 – 1946 – present

24. The Shipping Forecast, Radio 4 – 1911 – present

23. Test Match Special, Radio 4/5 live sports extra – 1958 – present

22. Soul Music, Radio 4 – 2000 – present

21. The Goon Show, Home service – 1951 – 1960

20. Under Milk Wood, Third programme – 1954

19. Dead Ringers, Radio 4 – 2000 – present

18. PM, Radio 4 – 1970 – present

17. In Our Time, Radio 4 – 1998 – present

16. Woman’s Hour, Radio 4 – 1946 – present

15. Just a Minute, Radio 4 – 1967 – present

14. On the Hour, Radio 4 – 1991 – 1992

13. John Peel, Radio 1 – 1967 – 2004

12. Wake Up to Wogan, Radio 2 – 1993 – 2009

11. Letter from America, Radio 4 – 1946 – 2004

10. Today, Radio 4 – 1957 – present

9. I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue, Radio 4 – 1972 – present

8. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Radio 4 – 1978 – 1980

7. From Our Own Correspondent, Radio 4 – 1955 – present

6. The News Quiz, Radio 4 – 1977 – present

5. In the Psychiatrist’s Chair, Radio 4 – 1982 – 2001

4. Hancock’s Half-Hour, Light programme – 1954 – 1959

3. Round the Horne, Light programme – 1965 – 1968

2. The Archers, Radio 4 – 1951 – present

1. Desert Island Discs, Radio 4 – 1942 – present