In February 2024, the BBC set out initial plans to evolve the BBC’s Radio portfolio with proposals to launch four new, distinctive, digital music stations on DAB+. The music stations - extensions to BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 3 were developed to give people more choice and value from the licence fee, especially those currently underserved by the BBC, featuring existing, archive and new programming. Making the extensions available on DAB+ would allow the BBC to reach audiences in a cost-effective way and also to grow BBC Sounds, as listeners discover a richer catalogue of on-demand shows they can enjoy from the BBC. At the same time the BBC also set out plans to extend the broadcasting hours of Radio 5 Sports Extra.
As the proposals represented the launch of new UK Public Services and a significant change to an existing service, the changes required a Public Interest Test.
Over the past eight months, the BBC has been running an extensive engagement process with the audio and music industry. The BBC has conducted robust market and audience analysis and modelling, with the approach to these agreed with Ofcom. As a result, many of the comments and findings have been incorporated into the final plans.
Radio 1 Anthems, Radio 3 Unwind and an expanded Radio 1 Dance with their distinctive editorial offers have now launched on BBC Sounds as music streams. The proposals for the Radio 2 extension and Radio 5 Sports Extra have been significantly redeveloped in response to the consultation feedback from the audio industry to expand their distinctiveness and reduce their potential impact on the market. Information on this can found on Ofcom’s website.
The plans, including the updated proposals for the Radio 2 Extension and Radio 5 Sports Extra, have been approved by the BBC Board. The BBC has now referred the proposal to Ofcom who, as the BBC’s regulator, will decide whether they agree with the BBC Board’s conclusions.
The Public Interest Test submissions and the main supporting evidence used to inform the BBC Board’s decision are published below.
BBC New Music Radio Stations – Public Interest Test submission
BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra - Public Interest Test submission
These documents set out the detail around the BBC’s final proposals.
The music extensions were developed to specifically target audiences currently underserved by the BBC with cost-effective delivery on DAB+ given the platform’s reach, and the use of new, existing and archive content. An expanded Radio 1 Dance, alongside Radio 1 Anthems and Radio 3 Unwind have now successfully launched as music streams on BBC Sounds, following feedback from the industry shaping the final plans and a Materiality Assessment conducted by the BBC and approved by Ofcom.
The new, revised proposal for the new Radio 2 extension includes:
- News bulletins throughout the day, totalling around 70 a week
- Commitment to playing a broader range of music from the 50s, 60s and 70s, with at least 6,000 unique tracks a year, including lesser-known album tracks
- Increased speech editorial in programmes, with speech-led content taking up most of the schedule (60%), including documentaries (about 55% music/45% speech) and highly curated programmes (about 65% music/35% speech)
- A new partnership with the BBC’s local and national radio stations, drawing on local experts and voices to tell the story of the significance of the music of their specific regions across the UK
- An increased volume of archive content, with 20% of the schedule drawing on the BBC’s unique archive of specially recorded songs, sessions and interviews
- Supporting the audio industry through plans to commission content from homegrown independent producers across the UK
Radio 5 Sports Extra plans have been reshaped by reducing the hours of suggested broadcast by 30%, from 6am –10.30pm to 9am – 7pm. This means Radio 5 Sports Extra is not on air during key hours to commercial radio the mornings and evenings, when they reach sizable audiences outside of live sport commentary. The updated proposal also removes the plans to simulcast wider Radio 5 Live content on Radio 5 Sports Extra that is not live sports commentary. These significant changes and the high public value of the proposal mitigate the risk of any potential market impact.
Supporting Evidence
Consultation responses
Where permission has been given, responses from stakeholders are published below:
Stakeholder Responses: New Music Radio Stations
Stakeholder Responses: Radio 5 Sports Extra
Consultation (now closed)
The BBC’s consultations on proposals to launch four new, distinctive, digital music stations on DAB+ as well as proposals to extend the broadcasting hours of Radio 5 Sports Extra were open from 14 February to 27 March 2024 and is now closed.
