1. No Signal 10 v 10 theresnosignal.com; April Online station No Signal had the biggest breakout radio hit of 2020, making lockdown fun. The show that put up 10 tracks by Vybz Kartel against 10 of Wizkid’s was a highlight, with well over a million listeners worldwide, and prompting Burna Boy and his mum to join live on Instagram. Listen again on soundcloud.com 2. BBC Radio lockdown specials BBC Radio 1/1Xtra/2/6 Music/Asian Network; April The BBC’s big music radio stations united to play five tracks for a 9am Thursday national sing-and-dance-along. Each station picked a song, every station played them all, and listeners sent in clips of themselves joining in. Surprisingly moving. 3. 1Xtra Talks Special: George Floyd and Black Lives Matter BBC Radio 1Xtra; June Ace and Seani B host the single most memorable hour of radio this year. After George Floyd’s death, several black DJs spoke out about how they were affected, notably Clara Amfo on Radio 1. Ace and Seani took the discussion to a deeper level, explaining how they altered their behaviour (or not) according to how they are perceived within white society, and letting listeners call in to contribute. 4. Shagged Married Annoyed Apple Podcasts; all year Chris and Rosie Ramsey swept all before them with their hilarious family bickerthon. Both Ramseys are natural comedians, though only Chris is professional, and this show can’t fail to make you smile. 5. Ecstasy: The Battle of Rave BBC Radio 5 Live/BBC Sounds; September Excellent drama-documentary series about when acid house turned dark, presented slightly madly by Chris Warburton. Impeccable music and interesting interviews elevate what could be hackneyed cultural history into something more transcendent (see also Transmissions: The Definitive Story of Joy Division/New Order). 6. The Stubborn Light of Things Melissa Harrison; April Melissa Harrison reminds us that the quiet passing of seasons is a beautiful thing. Her country walks and talks lit up the slow time of this year. 7. The Shadow Over Innsmouth BBC Radio 4/BBC Sounds; November Julian Simpson’s Lovecraft update is still the scariest drama series out there and this third series took Heawood and Kennedy to unexpected places. One of them is still there… 8. How Do You Cope? BBC Radio 5 Live podcast; September The always brilliant Elis James and John Robins talk mental health issues with famous people, including an excellent discussion of the “pure O” form of OCD (with George Ezra). A series that helps all who hear it. 9. For the Many LBC podcast; all year LBC’s Iain Dale and the former Labour home secretary Jacqui Smith argue entertainingly about politics. There are many excellent current affairs shows, from Americast to Oh God, What Now?, but Dale and Smith’s chummy warmth towards each other, despite disagreeing on many topics, is what makes this show. 10. Floodlines The Atlantic podcast; March Gripping documentary about New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina. Recent history or recurring racist nightmare?