Oliver is in demand as a broadcaster and guest speaker, and narrated his biography of Michael Tippett for Radio 4's Book of the Week, joined by acclaimed actor Sir Derek Jacobi as Tippett.

A regular guest on BBC Radio 3, Oliver has appeared on programmes such as Composer of the Week, Music Matters, In Concert, In Tune, Proms Plus, and Twenty Minutes. His work on the revival of Tippett's Symphony in B flat saw him interviewed for the 6 O'Clock News on Radio 4.

He has curated and hosted symposiums, study days, talks and conferences for the London Symphony Orchestra, Birmingham Opera Company, Wigmore Hall, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, and the Britten-Pears Foundation; and has lectured or given pre-performance talks in venues across the country, including the Royal Opera House, Cambridge Arts Theatre, City Halls Glasgow, London University, Cambridge University, and the Royal College of Music.

As a guest speaker or interviewee he has appeared at prestigious literary and music festivals including, recently or forthcoming, the Bath Festival, Hay Music, Morley College, and Little Missenden Festival. As a presenter he has hosted live interviews and podcasts with leading composers and musicians, notably Krzysztof Penderecki, Radovan Vlatković, and Magnus Lindberg.

He has appeared in filmed interviews and documentaries for venues such as London Symphony Orchestra, Britten-Pears Foundation, and Morley College; recorded voice-overs for programmes and documentaries on BBC Radios 3 and 4 (including Amanda Vickery on Men, Voices from the Old Bailey, The Invention of Free Speech and Twenty Minutes); and provided readings to accompany numerous talks and lectures, for the London Handel Festival and others.