BBC Radio 1 Anthems

BBC Radio 1 Anthems concentrates on the records that listeners already know and want to hear again. Its remit is different from the main Radio 1 service, where new releases and emerging artists have a more prominent place. The Anthems channel draws on pop and dance favourites from the 2000s onwards, making recognition and energy central to the programme rather than following a single chart week.

The word "anthems" describes the feel of the selection, not a separate musical genre. Some tracks are built for a dance floor, others have the broad appeal of popular radio, and a programme can move between the two. That gives the channel a clear identity alongside BBC Radio 1 Dance, which puts club culture and dance music at the centre of its own schedule.

Radio 1 Pop Anthems includes artists such as Taylor Swift, Lorde and Carly Rae Jepsen, while Charlie Hedges' Dance Anthems concentrates on established club records. Workout Anthems, Happy Anthems and Chillout Anthems offer different selections within the same era. The 100 Greatest Anthems strand also builds themed countdowns, including Heartbreak Healers with music by Coldplay, Alicia Keys and Robyn. These programme choices let the familiar repertoire vary in pace and subject.

The repertoire moves from Busted's You Said No to Avril Lavigne's Breakaway and Daniel Bedingfield's If You're Not The One. P!nk, Adele and Coldplay bring further vocal styles into the mix, while workout selections include Calvin Harris, Sub Focus and Robin S. Familiarity is the connecting thread, but the different programmes allow energetic club music, guitar-pop and quieter songs to retain their own character.