In the early 2000s, the UK radio industry faced an existential threat: streaming was changing everything, and radio risked being left behind.

The problem was clear. But the solution required something unprecedented: getting one of the most competitive industries in the world to work together.

With FM and DAB, listeners could switch between stations on one device without a moment’s thought. But streaming created chaos - thousands of websites, hundreds of apps, fragmented experiences. 

Eventually, the industry would come together behind a simple vision: agree on technology, compete on content.

Getting rivals to agree meant solving technical challenges nobody had tackled before. It meant creating a space where all parties were on an equal footing. It meant putting short-term thinking to one side.

This was about the long-term survival of radio - this is the story of Radio Player.

Welcome to The Relentless Optimist.

The Relentless Optimist is a Meliora podcast. We believe better is always possible.

Find out more: www.meliora.company

This podcast is produced by 18Sixty - podcasts for ambitious brands.

(00:00) Introduction