LBC

LBC (originally the London Broadcasting Company) is a London-based national talk and phone-in radio station. It began broadcasting on 8 October 1973, a week ahead of Capital Radio. The launch of LBC also saw the beginning of IRN's broadcasting, as LBC provided the service to independent local radio stations nationwide.

LBC is currently owned by Global Radio and has a like-branded sister station - LBC London News - which is dedicated to rolling news, travel and weather, and is broadcast in London on medium-wave and DAB.

Launch

The launch attracted an audience, for the pairing of journalist Paul Callan and the writer Janet Street-Porter, The pair were pitched as co-presenters of the breakfast show. The programme was the first in the UK to combine interviews with celebrities and heavyweight political figures on the same show, blurring the line between classic British comedy and analysis of international affairs.

The original station spawned a number of stars who went on to become household names in the British media. They include Jon Snow, Julian Manyon, Peter Allen, Rosie Boycott, Bel Mooney, amongst others. Entertainment personalities included Jeremy Beadle, who developed a late night phone-in programme, and Mr Nasty - who argued over the telephone with children. Both went on to star in the Granada Television series, Fun Factory.