Classic FM, the UK’s largest classical music station, has introduced a new programme celebrating video game music. Titled Next Level, the hour-long show is hosted by YouTuber Daniel Middleton, better known as DanTDM, and airs every Saturday from 9pm to 10pm.
The show premiered on 11 January, with Middleton opening the broadcast with music from The Legend of Zelda and his debut remarks: “Well, I’ve made it, my very first time on Classic FM.”
After the first track, Middleton introduced himself to listeners, explaining his decade-long career in creating gaming videos. Conscious of Classic FM’s demographic, where 69% of listeners fall into the ABC1 socio-economic group and are mostly aged 30 and above, he provided context for an audience who may not be familiar with many of the tracks.
For Minecraft, he described it as a “limitless box of Lego where you can build and do pretty much anything” before playing C418’s ‘Sweden’. The track comes from ‘Minecraft – Volume Alpha’, an album that has sold over half a million units in the US and reached number two on the UK Soundtrack Album Charts. Classic FM’s listenership has been declining in recent years, with figures dropping in nine of the last 13 quarters, according to RAJAR data. The launch of Next Level appears to mark a strategic pivot, aimed at attracting younger listeners and fans of video game music. The show’s three-month run coincides with the timeframe for the next RAJAR report, suggesting the station will monitor the initiative’s success closely.
Philip Noyce, Classic FM’s Managing Editor, said: “This is a very exciting day for Classic FM, as we welcome the brilliant DanTDM to the presenting line-up. Watched by millions, he is a huge star in the gaming world, as well as being a fan of classical music – so it’s fantastic that he’s joining as the host of Next Level with DanTDM.”
“Across three months, he will not only showcase the greatest video game music to our loyal listeners, but with Dan at the controls, we’re looking forward to welcoming VGM fans to Classic FM for the first time too. We have always championed new forms of classical music, from film scores to gaming soundtracks, so I’m pleased to announce this next chapter in our support of video game music.”
Middleton, who has over 35 million YouTube subscribers and a Guinness World Record for the most views of a dedicated Minecraft channel, expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity. “Teenage me wouldn’t be able to believe I have my own radio show! Having studied music production at university and then worked in video games for the past 15 years, being given a show that celebrates the meeting of these two worlds feels totally surreal.”
During the premiere, Middleton played tracks from modern games like The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim and Halo, alongside classics such as Sonic the Hedgehog and Tetris. For the latter, he featured the original arrangement of the Russian folk song that inspired its theme.
The broadcast concluded with the theme from Super Mario Bros., with Middleton stating: “I’ve had a great time showcasing some legendary tracks from gaming, and I hope that I’ve introduced you to a whole new world of music that you may not have listened to before.”
classic fm please never cancel this segment im already so locked in pic.twitter.com/SRpJcEhVQK — twig! SAW FALL OUT BOY (@ImmortalTwig) January 12, 2025
Next Level positions Classic FM as a champion of video game music on British airwaves. The move also comes at a time when its closest classical rival, BBC Radio 3, has been less active in this space. BBC Radio 3’s Sound of Gaming airs monthly, though the last episode was in October 2024, and the station has yet to confirm whether more shows will follow.
With the upcoming broadcasts section currently blank on the Sound of Gaming page, it appears Classic FM may have spotted a gap in the market. By securing one of the biggest gaming names in the country to host, Global Radio, owners of Classic FM, have positioned themselves to capture an audience underserved by their rival.
With an overwhelmingly positive response on social media, the show could mark a turning point for the station’s listenership and its approach to modern classical music. If you want to listen to the show, use this link.
