Heart FM Undergoes Significant Programming Transformation in 2025

A New Era for Heart FM Broadcasting

Heart FM, one of the United Kingdom’s most popular commercial radio networks, has undergone significant changes in early 2025. Heart stations in England ended local and regional programming on 21 February 2025, but retaining local news bulletins and advertising. This transformation marks a pivotal shift in how the network delivers content to its millions of listeners across the country.

Understanding the Changes

Heart is a network of thirteen independent adult contemporary radio stations in the United Kingdom, broadcasting a mix of local and networked programming, although only the stations in Scotland and Wales still have their own shows. The move follows regulatory changes that allowed commercial radio stations greater flexibility in programming decisions. The new schedules took effect from Monday 24th February.

Heart FM’s Continued Popularity

Despite these structural changes, Heart FM maintains its position as a broadcasting powerhouse. According to RAJAR, the Heart ‘brand’ (including the network of the main Heart station and digital spin-off stations) had an average weekly audience of 12.8 million during the July to September 2025 quarter, with the main Heart network reaching an average weekly audience of 9.4 million during same period. The network continues to deliver popular content through its breakfast show and various programming formats.

Regional Variations and Local Content

Scotland and Wales will retain their respective local programming, while in Scotland, Global continues to invest in Scottish-led programming, with enhanced presenter schedules on Capital and Heart. This ensures that regional audiences still receive content tailored to their communities while benefiting from the resources of a national network.

What This Means for Listeners

The transformation reflects broader trends in commercial radio, where efficiency and scale are balanced against local relevance. Each national show will continue to deliver local news, travel, and weather updates, provided by Global’s newsrooms across the UK. Heart FM’s adaptation demonstrates how modern radio networks are evolving to meet changing listener expectations while maintaining the local touchpoints that communities value, ensuring the station remains “the UK’s biggest radio brand” for years to come.