BBC and commercial radio announce new digital partnership
The BBC and commercial radio representatives are set to announce a new partnership initiative today, in a bid to secure the future of digital radio.
The joint venture will see the BBC, RadioCentre and members from Global Radio, Bauer Media and GMG, establish a Radio Council, which will aim to bring the industry together in order to place radio at the heart of Digital Britain.
Tim Davie from the BBC, Andrew Harrison from RadioCentre and Ashley Tabor from Global Radio are due to announce the plans ahead of the Radio Reborn conference in London today.
The new leadership group, which will be chaired by Davie for the first year before rotating between the BBC and the commercial sector, plans to kick-start three cross sector digital projects.
These include developing an online live radio player – an open platform that streams all live UK radio in one place; developing a common user interface and electronic programme guide for listeners across all devices – DAB, DTV, online and via mobile phones; and developing a calendar of exclusive digital-only content for listeners on DAB.
However, each project will be subject to approval by the BBC Trust and the RadioCentre board prior to launch.
Davie said: “The partnership between the BBC and Commercial Radio is crucial to the future of the medium. Radio is unique and much-loved, but the media environment is changing and we have to work together to make sure it remains as popular and relevant as ever.”
In addition, the new Radio Council intends to co-ordinate with the government to appoint a CEO for Lord Cater’s Digital Radio Delivery Group.
The new role is expected to focus on delivery across four areas that will be key to securing a switchover timetable – coverage, devices, platforms and marketing.
Harrison said: “This exciting new initiative kick-starts our collective approach to ensuring radio is at the heart of Digital Britain. We will of course remain competitors for listeners with the BBC, and RadioCentre will continue to lobby for the commercial and regulatory freedom to compete on level terms, but today we recognise that we need to work together in a new partnership to deliver a thriving radio sector for listeners.”
Tabor added: “Global Radio fully endorses the formation of the Radio Council at this critical period in the drive to digital.
“It is absolutely right that the BBC recognises, as it did with TV, the need to work collaboratively and in partnership with the commercial sector. We appreciate the significant contribution the BBC has the capacity to make to facilitate Digital Britain from a radio perspective, and Global Radio is prepared to play a leading role alongside the BBC, GMG, Bauer and all our other colleagues in commercial radio, to make it happen.”
The new initiative is now tabled for agreement at the next RadioCentre board meeting.