October 2010: A new controller!
Haven't updated this site for ... well, a long time. But there's a couple of stories this morning in the papers about the new Radio 4 controller and calling for the return of the theme and Mark Damazer admitting he axed the UK Theme by mistake as he misread how many people listened to it. Ah well, who knows what might happen...
November 2006: A new petition!
We have set up a new petition using the facility on the Prime Minister's website to do so - please sign this new petition:
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/radio4theme/
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Farewell, UK Theme
Despite our best efforts to persuade the BBC to reconsider. The UK Theme was played for the last time on Sunday 23rd April (St. George's Day, ironically). Hopefully Mark Damazer will change his mind in future - listener power works, so carry on writing to the BBC to make your complaints known...
Observer item on the passing of the UK Theme
UK Theme CD Single in the Charts
The UK Theme got to Number 29 in the charts (and number 39 the week after - 2 weeks in the charts!) - thanks to everyone who bought the single, which is still available...
Buy the CD Single: 
You can buy the CD of the single online now by clicking one of the following links:
| HMV | BBC Shop |
Download the tracks:
You can download the track from one of these sites:
iTunes users can download it from the iTunes Online Music store - click here if you have iTunes installed (or do a search for "uk theme")
Karma - click here (no player required)
Napster - click here if you have Napster installed
Virgin Digital - click here if you have Virgin Digital Player installed
Woolworths - click here (no player required)
Please note: we're not responsible for any of the above sites (obviously) so if you are having problems with them, please contact the site directly. Certain download sites require extra software to be installed.
Buy it in a shop (it's an old idea, but it might just work...)
Or you can buy the CD single in the shops - it's available from some branches of Asda, HMV, Tesco, Virgin and Woolworths - but not all, so check with the store to avoid disappointment.
Sorry, you can't get a "real" copy of the single in shops any more (but you can download it - see links above)
News:
Telegraph article on the launch
... Thanks to Pete at www.pebesworld.com for the "Pod save the Queen" graphic ...
It's official... the 'Radio 4 UK Theme' will be a UK chart hit!
The number of pre-orders registered at HMV.co.uk mean that it has already been placed as 'top-ten' by Tesco, and indicate that the single will be a UK chart hit in the week of its release. Just how high in the charts (and thus the degree of pressure exerted on Mark Damazer to back down) is down to those who have yet to buy it.
And the recordings really do sound great. Thirty second clips can be heard at the online Radio Times feature:
http://www.radiotimes.com/content/features/uktheme/
Click here to find out where to buy your copy
Save the Radio 4 Theme - Release Information
The UK Theme will be released on CD on MONDAY, 27th MARCH as part of the ‘Save The Radio 4 Theme’ campaign.
PROCEEDS GO TO THE LIGHT MUSIC SOCIETY & LIBRARY
Click here to find out where you can buy the single from on Monday 27th March
The campaign’s specially commissioned CD single of the 'Radio 4 UK Theme' plus 'Sailing By' was recorded on Friday 17th February by a Grammy Award-winning production team at Henry Wood Hall, London – performed by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia under Gavin Sutherland.
THE SIX-POINT CAMPAIGN PLAN
…YOUR LAST CHANCE TO SAVE THE THEME!
1. The single is released on MONDAY 27th MARCH (both online and in the shops)
2. All 17,000 petition signatories, amongst others, buy it (£1.99 in the shops/online - 78p per track to download)
3. The single hits the music charts (these days half that number would do it, and this time of year 17,000 would go top ten, if not higher)
4. Fresh publicity is thus generated, recruiting more supporters to the campaign.
5. Maximum pressure is exerted on Radio 4 controller Mark Damazer by raising the campaign’s media profile to new heights - they thought we’d go away. Ha!
6. Mark Damazer reconsiders, “having underestimated the public’s affection…” etc.
THE UK THEME IS SAVED.
Well done all!
(and we each now have a CD of the superbly recorded new version – plus 'Sailing By')
If Mark Damazer does axe the UK Theme after all our best efforts, then perhaps he and his successors will at least think twice next time they have a great British cultural icon in their sights…and at least your opinion will have been heard loud and clear!
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE UPDATED ABOUT HOW & WHERE TO BUY THE CD, PLEASE CLICK HERE TO EMAIL [email protected]
Click here to pre-order your copy at HMV Now!
"Well I'm off to buy a dozen" - Jeremy Paxman, Newsnight, 20.02.06.
Please note: each transaction, even if made up of multiple purchases, only registers as one chart-eligible sale... Jeremy should make 12 separate transactions for maximum impact.
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST NOW WILL HELP MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
PASS IT ON!
Read more about about the Light Music Society (PDF document)
More about the Ernest Tomlinson
Details of Ernest Tomlinson on Brian Kay's "Light Programme" on Radio 3 last year
Radio Times article on the re-recording of the UK Theme
Media Guardian on the CD single release
Read an article in The Times on the announcement