The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum / Hospital radio

**Posted by BowmanvilleBob** January 6, 2025 10:45 am

It's a concept that never really caught on in Canada or the U.S., but hospital radio was quite common in the U.K. for many years, providing music, sports and interviews to bedbound patients. Many of these broadcasts were in-house, but several hospitals actually acquired low-power transmitters and offered community radio services as well. Several well-known radio people in the UK actually got their start as volunteers at hospital radio stations.

The rise of online listening options has reduced the need for hospital radio services and many of them are now closing down, but as one long-time hospital radio DJ pointed out: "It sure was fun while it lasted."

Crewe Hospital radio closes down after 58 years of broadcasting

**Posted by DaCosta** January 6, 2025 2:32 pm

I watch Corrie and a few years back one of the bad-un characters was a hospital radio host/DJ. It was interesting to see him at work.

**Posted by Tq345** January 7, 2025 10:18 am

DaCosta wrote:
I watch Corrie and a few years back one of the bad-un characters was a hospital radio host/DJ. It was interesting to see him at work.

I had the same thought, remembering the dastardly Geoff Metcalfe. He was indeed a bad'n.

I also seem to recall an episode of the hilarious Scottish sitcom Still Game (available on Netflix I believe) where Jack and Victor tried their hand at being hospital radio DJs.

**Posted by BowmanvilleBob** January 7, 2025 10:33 am

An early 80s comedy series from the UK called "Only When I Laugh" featured the three main characters establishing a pirate radio station inside their local hospital. The humour is sometimes juvenile, but it's worth a look.

Only When I Laugh - These You Have Loved

**Posted by Capricasix** January 7, 2025 10:39 am

DaCosta wrote:
I watch Corrie and a few years back one of the bad-un characters was a hospital radio host/DJ. It was interesting to see him at work.

Wasn’t he awful? I wish Yasmeen’s chickens had pecked him to death (the ones he didn’t eat, anyway)!

**Posted by ig** January 7, 2025 6:48 pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kh8jadDavgk&t=468s

Tq345 wrote:
DaCosta wrote:
I watch Corrie and a few years back one of the bad-un characters was a hospital radio host/DJ. It was interesting to see him at work.
I had the same thought, remembering the dastardly Geoff Metcalfe. He was indeed a bad'n.

I also seem to recall an episode of the hilarious Scottish sitcom Still Game (available on Netflix I believe) where Jack and Victor tried their hand at being hospital radio DJs.