Radio Times Shines (Radio Times)

Member Name: icetsunami

Product:	Radio Times
Date:	13/10/09 (22 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Well written, comprehensive for Freeview

Disadvantages: A few cable and satellite channels are missing

Are TV listings guides viable today when the net gives you free access to the same information and also the digital television service give you a comprehensive EPG?

Well yeah. It kind of depends on what you want and expect from this sort of magazine. You can argue that price wise this is one of the aspiring leaders of the listings race. It currently weighs in at a hefty £1.10 which on average is double the usual tatty alternatives. Tatty alternatives? No, I am not being biased. I simply believe that the Radio Times offers better quality content in terms of writing and presentation than its rivals.

Generally the content includes the usual freeview and some satellite channels, a number of special features and contributions from guest writers. In terms of layout the front of the listings has a quick reference guide to the weeks programs and films followed by the full daily listings. There is a regular review of the weeks best film and a section by Barry Norman on a classic due to be shown.

Letters from readers and a celebrity interview bring up the rear with the usual puzzles and competitions.

Channels covered:

BBC1, BBC2, ITV1, C4, Five, BBC3, BBC4, ITV2, ITV3, E4, More4, ITV4, Film4, Dave, Five USA, Fiver, Gold, BBC HD, Virgin 1, Sky 1, Sky 2, Sky 3, Quest, Watch, Bravo, Hallmark, Alibi, Sci-fi, Sky Arts 1, Sky Arts 2, Living, Living 2, Discovery Real Time, Comedy Central, Home, FX, Really, Good Food, Yesterday, BBC Parliament, History, Discovery, Bio, Blighty, National Geographic, Eden, Animal Planet, CBeebies, CBBC, CITV, Modern Greats, Drama, Sky Premiere, Sky Sci-fi/Horror, Sky Comedy, Sky Classics, Sky Indie, Sky Action/Thriller, Sky Family, Sky Screen 1, Sky Screen 2, TCM, Sky Sports 1, Sky Sports 2, Sky Sports 3, British Eurosport, Sky Sports Xtra, ESPN, British Eurosport 2.

Thats a pretty good selection!

Radio:

BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra, BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 3, BBC 6 Music, Planet Rock, Classic FM, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 7, BBC World Service, BBC Radio 5 Live, Talksport, Asian Network, Absolute Radio.

But why this over something cheaper?

Well for me it is well written. Thats means I can look at the schedule, choose a program, say Casualty and read all about it. So what? Most of the cheap ones give you the full lowdown so its not actually worth watching the episode as you know the full story! Please, that is just common sense.

There are several informative articles in each issue with comprehensive detail and quality photography. These are especially good for wildlife programs and period dramas.

The variety of contributors means I am not reading the same thing over and over and the style of the writing is different too. This makes it much more engaging. I often just read through the short film reviews even though I have no intention of watching them. They tell me the stars, director, rating and the year.

Yeah but it's still obsolete. Isn't it?

Hell no. I pick up the book and flick to the page I want. Why do I want to wait for my PC or laptop to boot, open the browser and navigate to the relevant site? Not mentioning the delay as wi-fi connects. The digital EPG's are comprehensive but cumbersome and slow. The good old printed word still has value. Don't get me wrong, I like the alternatives and I do sometimes use them but the magazine is simply quickest and most convenient.

Summary:

Comprehensive guide to most Freeview and digital channels including Sky and HD. Quality looking and well designed. Yes it's £1.10 but you get that little bit more than the usual TV magazine. I subscribe as it's cheaper too. It's a winner.

Summary: The best if somewhat expensive