It is the corporation's third radio station, and is known for broadcasting indie, alternative, hip hop and dance music.

Radio 3 traces its origins to the Programa Cultural de RNE en OM which was originally launched on 12 October 1952 as a cultural radio station broadcasting only in Madrid and surrounding areas.

Its output mostly centres on indie, alternative, hip hop and dance music that is outside the mainstream scene and the top 40 charts.

Besides music, Radio 3 also features serialised radio drama and collects news from different cultural expressions: literature, film, theater and visual arts, always highlighting and supporting the most innovative and restless in each discipline.

Radio 3's programming is split roughly 70% specialist music and 30% culture-based shows.