LBC (originally the London Broadcasting Company) is a London-based national talk and phone-in radio station. It was the UK's first licensed commercial radio station, beginning broadcasting on 8 October 1973, a week ahead of Capital Radio. The launch of LBC also saw the beginning of IRN's broadcasting, as LBC provided the service to independent local radio stations nationwide. LBC is owned by Global Radio and has a like-branded sister station – LBC London News – which is dedicated to rolling news, travel and weather, and is broadcast in London on medium-wave and DAB.