BBC Radio Plans Introduction Of Three New Digital Stations

BBC Radio is planning to extend its portfolio with the addition of three new digital services and enhancements to two existing services. The three new services will be aiming to attract, among others, young people and children.

Both the new services and the existing BBC stations will be available on digital satellite and cable, the internet and via digital radio sets. Jenny Abramsky, director of BBC Radio and Music, said, “The digital future is as vital for radio as it is for television. This announcement recognises the importance of radio to the BBC and gives us the opportunity to reach as many of our licence fee payers as we can.”

One of the new services will be a black music and news station, while another would draw on the BBC’s archive of music performances, concerts and interviews, focussing on “the music that shaped popular culture over the last thirty years.”

The third station would also use archive material along with original programming, to produce speech programming such as drama, comedy and readings, including children’s programming.

In addition, BBC Radio is planning to expand its 5 Live Sports+ service by expanding the coverage offered by Radios 4 and 5, while the BBC Asian Network is also to be enhanced.

The plans for new stations will only come to fruition if a positive response results from a consultation exercise with licence payers. Following that approval would have to be gained from the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

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