Head and shoulders above the competition (Radio Times)

Name: kaosdaq

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Product:	Radio Times
Date:	31/05/04 (87 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Best TV and radio listings available, Lots of extra stuff to read, Good value for money

Disadvantages: Doesn't have the coolest image!

I always thought the Radio Times was a bit of an old people?s magazine, and to be honest, it is. There are the letters from ?Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells?, the nice sensible layouts, and the inexplicable popularity of Alan Titchmarsh.

However, despite all this, it?s still the best TV listings magazine you can buy. I?ve tried all the TV Quick, What?s On TV, type magazines ? they?re not noticeably cheaper, they?re always printed on really poor quality paper and have no articles to speak of. There?s maybe 5 minutes of reading in there if you?re lucky.

The Radio Times by contrast is made from very nice quality glossy paper and has over 60 pages of editorial material, such as interviews, behind-the-scenes, and various articles on health, gardening, music, etc. The columnists range from Adam Hart-Davis and Virginia Ironside to Phill Jupitus and Harry Hill, and are always worth a read. Barry Norman writes a film column which I rarely agree with, but is always interesting. There?s also a good cryptic crossword which is not completely impossible, but difficult enough to be challenging.

Where it really stands out is where it really matters ? namely, the quality of the TV listings. For a start, they are much more accurate and detailed than any other magazine, and the design is excellent ? plain, simple, and very easy to read. Since we got a Freeview box at Christmas, I really appreciate the fact that all the Freeview channels are grouped together. In other magazine they?re mixed in with the general satellite/cable channels and you have to hunt around to find them. They have a detailed review of every single film on terrestrial TV and a handy bit at the front where they list all the most interesting programmes of the week.

The radio listings are also very good, with a detailed guide to digital radio that no other magazine has, to the best of my knowledge. They also list everything that?s on BBC radio, including the regional stations. In f
act, they are so enthusiastic and informative about radio that we?ve actually started listening a lot more.

So, even though I?m not yet ready at 23 to hang up my party dress and become a member of the blue-rinse brigade, I still reckon that the Radio Times is head and shoulders above all other TV listings mags. Oh, and it's only 90p.

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