The genre focus in Bristol includes a wide range of topics, such as food and farming, environmental journalism, natural history, investigative documentaries, human interest, Bristol R&M Production readings, drama, poetry, conversation, and political debates.
This was because of their fear of attacks during the Blitz, which ultimately led the BBC Symphony Orchestra, all school and children's programmes, religion and variety teams – comprising 700 people in total – to the location in Bristol.
A transmitter, a studio, and a radio control room (complete with an ozonator to combat the smell of the River Avon) were all concealed in the rock cliffs at Clifton Down inside a railway tunnel.
As a result, the BBC HQ in London had the control to swiftly switch broadcasting to the Bristol center, sometimes mid-news bulletin when the capital was under air attack, therefore continuing a constant news programme.
It was only meant as a six-week stopgap but is still running today and was the inspiration for the BBC television programme Question Time.
The programme is produced by a three-person team in Bristol who, for fifty weeks a year, travel to venues in cities, towns, villages, and hamlets at the invitation of community groups, schools, and local organisations across Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
The format was refreshed slightly after two years, from straight requests with actors reading the poems to an interview format featuring both established and up-and-coming poets who go through listener requests to share the poems that have equally inspired them to write and talk about their own adventures in poetry.
For the 40th anniversary of the programme in 2019, presenter and poet Roger McGough chose Charles Causley to read his own Eden Rock.
[8] The series also featured on a BBC4 TV documentary in 2009 to mark the programme's 30th anniversary and its unique role in sharing "the people's poetry" in the UK.
[11] Soul Music has no presenter, focusing instead on a chosen song and the unique emotional impact it can have on people's lives.
The series has won a number of awards, including a Prix Europa in October 2014, for Strange Fruit, which was produced by Maggie Ayre from the Bristol unit.
Shows like ITMA, Bandwagon, Workers Playtime, and Garrison Theatre were all made and broadcast from BBC Bristol as part of what they called "The Fun Factory".
The BBC Network Radio department in Bristol was honoured to receive a special award for its contribution to the nation, to the city and to the region in 2013 by the local Royal Television Society.
They recognised radio's role in encouraging new talent, discovering and celebrating British actors, writers, and broadcasters.
The award was accepted by broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby who started his own distinguished career as a news reporter at the BBC in Bristol.