The BBC is consulting on proposals to evolve BBC Radio’s portfolio to suit the needs of modern audiences with plans to launch four new, distinctive, digital music stations on DAB+ as well as proposals to extend the broadcasting hours of Radio 5 Sports Extra.
The plans have been developed to ensure the BBC serves all its audiences and better meets the expectations of listeners. The proposed music extensions will give people more choice and value from the licence fee and build on the BBC’s wide-ranging support for British music. In particular, they will give more choice to those currently underserved by the BBC, and whom Ofcom have challenged the BBC to do more for.
The music stations – extensions to BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 3 - look to delve deeper into specific genres and periods of music with context, curation and storytelling. The proposals are:
- A new Radio 1 extension helping audiences to discover and re-discover a wide range of music and acts supported by Radio 1 in the 2000s and 2010s, and with a dedicated focus on growing new on-air and off-air talent.
- An expanded version of the existing BBC Sounds Radio 1 Dance stream, featuring the widest range of dance music on British radio and telling the story of this significant genre, supporting the development of new UK artists and reflecting the scene to a wider audience, helping to produce global hits from the UK.
- A new Radio 2 extension providing a distinctive take on pop nostalgia, curating the story of pop music primarily from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s by some of the people who shaped the cultural landscape at the time, aided by unique access to the BBC’s archive – creating a soundtrack unmatched by anything in the current marketplace.
- A new Radio 3 extension providing a classical music experience that helps listeners unwind, destress and escape the pressures of daily life. It will feature a wide range of classical music both familiar and new, intertwined with voices and soundscapes to create a fresh, distinctive sound that transports listeners to a place of calm.
The proposed extensions will be streamlined, curating on-demand music programmes available on BBC Sounds, with archive material and some new commissions, some simulcasting, and a small amount of new live content.
They are a cost-effective way to reach audiences on DAB+ where listening is growing as people move over from FM, and will use the BBC’s existing DAB allocation.
The planned launch of four new music radio stations on DAB+ represents a launch of four new UK Public Services. As such, the change requires a Public Interest Test.
The BBC is also launching a separate Public Interest Test for BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra. Currently the station plays a short marketing trail on constant loop when there are no live sports being broadcast. The proposal sets out a plan for existing BBC sports related audio content, including BBC Sounds podcasts and programming from the Nations and Regions, to be played on the station. This would allow for the BBC’s existing investment in sports content to reach wider and underserved audiences, and provide them with a destination dedicated to BBC audio sports content, without increasing the BBC’s audio sports rights budget or hours of live sports coverage.
As part of both Public Interest Tests we are publicly consulting on the proposals to give stakeholders an opportunity to comment. The consultations will run for six weeks from 14 February 2024 to 27 March 2024. We will also carry out market research and economic analysis to assess both the public value and market impact of these proposals.
On the basis of this research, analysis and stakeholder feedback, we will determine our final proposals. If the BBC Board decides that these proposals meet the Public Interest Test, we will then send the Public Interest Test submissions and supporting evidence to Ofcom. At this time we will publish the Public Interest Test submissions, research and analysis. We expect this to be in the summer.
The consultation documents below set out the proposals and the process in greater detail, including how to respond to the consultations.
The consultations are open to all, but we would particularly welcome views from industry and other interested parties.