A short feature about breakfast radio from the IBA in 1984:

The biggest audience for ILR, and for other local and national radio services, is at breakfast time (listening tends to be at a lower level during the morning and afternoon, with a small peak at afternoon 'drive-time' before tailing away into the evening). So over the years ILR has refined its techniques for providing the right early morning mix of material, and the right sound for each local area. The introduction of two new breakfast-time TV services in 1983 added some further competitive stimulus.

Above:  Les Ross on BRMB Radio in Birmingham Left:  Jon Scragg on Essex Radio

Research has shown that the appetite of the ILR audience is, above all, for news and information. At breakfast time, listeners expect a comprehensive picture of local, national and world events in a concise and digestible form. Hourly bulletins are usually of about ten minutes' duration. Often these incorporate IRN bulletins direct from London, with the smooth intonation of presenter Douglas Cameron. These are supplemented by local items and headline services during the rest of the clockhour. Many stations also Include more extended local and national current affairs items elsewhere in the programmes, as for instance Radio Clyde's Breakfast Show and Hereward Radio's Daybreak. Left:  Norman Thomas of Radio City in Liverpool

Another key element is traffic and travel news, often supplied by the police, British Rail and the motoring organisations. Coverage is not tied to the ground. For example, Capital Radio's 'Flying Eye' spotter plane has now been joined aloft by Chiltern's 'Skyway Patrol,' which scans the roads of Herts, Beds and Bucks. The weather, especially coastal forecasts, is of the essence; rural areas are served with bulletins for early-rising farmers. Time checks are crucial: some stations include up to 30 per hour.

While basic ingredients are shared in common throughout ILR, the flavour of presentation can vary considerably. Some presenters have their own very distinctive style, for instance Les Ross at BRMB in Birmingham and Norman Thomas at Radio City in Liverpool. 'Doubleheaded' presentation adds variety, often employing a journalist and a general music/features presenter. This is the format of Wiltshire Radio's WR-AM, with Barry Jordan and Simon Cooper.