[bbctvtechop]

There is also no need whatsoever to ditch well-established brands. Replacing Radio 1 with “Sounds 1” would make no sense.

Agreed, but technology will help get to a point where we have "personalised radio" through an Internet connection, Spotify style.

Live presenters but the music is played virtually by the online service. The presenters know they have (eg) 3:27 of time between this link and the next link, then 3:52, then 2:59, etc etc. They start and stop talking at the appropriate times, and the service plays the music based on your preferences and listening history to fill the gaps. This could even be done as part of a traditionally broadcast show, where the presenters play the music (of the same durations) for the linear broadcast FM/DAB/etc, and only their voice goes to the online services.

I'm surprised Absolute haven't already trialled this - their decades format would work well, as all you need to do is find a suitable song that is (eg) 4:01 in duration from each decade and have your playout system trigger them all simultaneously for broadcast on the different stations.

You could be listening live to Zoe Ball but listening to classical music in between, for example.