Domestically, the BBC's medium wave transmitters continued to broadcast only the Home Service until the start of 1940, when the lack of choice and of lighter programming for people serving in the British Armed Forces having been noted – some of the former regional frequencies (804 and 877 kHz) were given over to a new service known as the Forces Programme.

It became clear that the members of the armed services during the Phoney War, especially those in France who had been expecting to fight, were now mainly sat in barracks with little to do.

Although intended for soldiers, civilians in England could receive the Forces Programme, among them it became more popular than the Home Service and after the Battle of France, will also continue to broadcast in the United Kingdom.

The broadcasts led to concerns over "Americanisation" of the BBC, but an executive stated that 90% of British soldiers would choose American music if they had a choice.

[1] The BBC Forces Programme was replaced when the influx of American soldiers used to a different style of entertainment programming, had to be catered for in the run up to 'D-Day'.