08 February 2024 , 11:48
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The BBC has announced plans to launch "new, distinctive digital music stations as extensions" for its long-running radio outlets BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 3.
The broadcaster shared the news this week. It said the proposed platforms, which include three new extensions, if approved by the relevant regulators, will "look to delve deeper into specific genres and periods of music with context, curation and storytelling".
A spokesperson said that BBC Radio looks to launch four "distinctive music stations" on DAB+ as audience habits are "transformed" through streaming and digital radio. They added about the proposals in a press release: "Giving people more choice and value from the licence fee and building on [our] wide-ranging support for British music."
A hit BBC show is making a comeback (Bloomberg via Getty Images)The BBC has said that the plans are "subject to the relevant regulatory approvals, including a Public Interest Test (PIT) for the proposal to launch the DAB+ stations". It expressed hope to start that process in the coming weeks, adding that it's expected to run until the end of the years.
The broadcaster has provided information about its plans for the "new extensions," which it said will be available on BBC Sounds. One is for "pop nostalgia" from around 1950 to 1980, whilst another covers the noughties and more recent music. The final proposed extension relates to classical music and the BBC also hopes to "expand" a pre-existing dance music stream.
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The first idea is for Radio 1 extension "helping audiences to discover and re-discover" music and acts supported by the station in the 2000s and 2010s, as well as "growing new on-air and off-air talent". This includes offering "lesser heard gems" from artists that have "shaped" the last two decades.
The BBC said it will include existing on-demand content as well as new programmes "curated by fresh voices, multi-genre blocks including hip-hop, R&B, rock and pop tracks, as well as some simulcasts". It said around 4,000 tracks will be played in a year, with British artists making up a third.
The plans also include "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."
It said the new extension will reflect "a broad range of dance music across all sub-genres". The BBC added that "new commissions [will open] up more opportunities to support British talent, new music and develop new presenters".
There are also plans for a Radio 2 extension related to "pop nostalgia". The BBC said it will curate "the story of pop music primarily from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s" by some of those who "shaped the cultural landscape at the time".
The broadcaster added that this will be "aided by unique access" to the BBC's own archive. It said that listeners will get to hear "concerts, exclusive BBC sessions, interviews and classic editions" from some of the BBC's music brands.
The final extension planned is for Radio 3, featuring "a wide range of classical music," both new and known, "intertwined with voices and soundscapes" to create "a fresh, distinctive sound that transports listeners to a place of calm". It adds that it will include content that "leans into the mindfulness, wellbeing and sleep space" with both speech and music.
The BBC said in its press release on Wednesday: "BBC Sounds already hosts Radio 1 Dance as a music stream, and versions of the three new extensions are planned to launch on BBC Sounds later this year whilst the regulatory process takes place about their distribution on DAB+."
Lorna Clarke, BBC Director of Music, said: "Our extensions for Radio 1, Radio 2 and Radio 3 will allow listeners to deep-dive into more pop and classical genres and periods of music they love the most, uniquely created by the BBC."
Further commenting, Lorna added: "They'll get a deeper listening experience than what’s available elsewhere, hear brilliant storytelling through our extensive archive, and discover more music to love whatever their mood."
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The BBC added in its announcement that it also hopes to have "existing BBC sports related audio content," such as from podcasts, on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra. It notes that currently, when there are no live sports being broadacast, "a short marketing trail on a constant loop" plays on the station.