About Us
Cross River Radio started with a simple frustration: London talks about the Thames as if it splits the city in two. We think it should be the thing that brings us together — and we built a radio station around that idea.
The name
It's a double meaning, on purpose. "Cross river" is how Londoners already talk about getting from one bank to the other — cross-river bus routes, cross-river cable cars, cross-river commutes. But the Thames itself has also been "cross" for a long time: polluted, neglected, treated as a working boundary rather than a shared asset.
Our name is a promise to work on both meanings at once — building routes between North and South London, and helping calm a river that's earned the right to be a little angry.
Our mission
We deliberately pair presenters, guests and stories from North and South London on the same shows, so the schedule itself models the unity we're trying to build.
Sewage overflows, litter and habitat loss have hit the Thames hard. We give airtime to the RNLI, Raybel Charters and river clean-up groups so their work — and their calls to action — reach a real audience.
We partner with London's music colleges and universities to give students real production experience — segments that actually go to air, with a real station credit behind them.
Our journey
Preparing our Ofcom Community Digital Sound Programme (C-DSP) application, and building relationships with river charities, safety organisations and London music colleges.
Recruiting volunteer presenters from both banks and running pilot segments with student partners ahead of launch.
Cross River Radio goes live, broadcasting across London with a schedule shaped by our community, culture and environmental mission.
Expanding our work with environmental and heritage organisations on both banks, and tracking the real-world impact of what we put on air.
From on-air talent to river clean-ups, there are dozens of ways to be part of Cross River Radio before we've even launched.
See how to get involved