Desert Island Discs Archive

Let joy be unconfined. Desert Island Discs, an institution as English as fog and cricket, has made 500 episodes (going back to 1998) available in an online archive. China cups across England are rattling with the excitement of it all, as the great show finally moves into the digital era.

RADIO 4 EXTRA

This move forms part of the BBC's plan to transform the digital station BBC 7 into Radio 4 Extra, which represents a clear attempt to broaden the appeal of a station traditionally associated with the middle-classes in the shires and the capital. To mark the launch, Kirsty Young, the superb current house of Desert Island Discs, will present a series of special hour-long episodes of the show.

For fans of the Radio 4 programme the digital archive is a major breakthrough. Until 2009, the family of the show's creator and first presenter, Roy Plomley, were unable to reach an agreement with the BBC on making Desert Island Discs available online. Since that time, each new show has been available on iPlayer, but only for seven days after its initial broadcast. 

FAMOUS CASTAWAYS

The archive comes equipped with a fully searchable database of the songs, books and luxury items chosen by the famous castaways; it will offer a chance to revisit or to discover the many treasures of the show's past. If you missed Morrissey's unforgettable appearance first time round, now is your chance to hear it.  

1st April 2011