Radio 1 has announced that it plans to cut the amount of live music output it covers by slashing the number of live sessions it produces from 250 to 160, and live event coverage from 25 to 10 every year.
The move has been spearheaded by the BBC Trust, who made the announcement despite audience research showing "that live music is seen as a key strength of Radio 1".
In a statement, they said, "We expect Radio 1 to maintain a range of genres and artists within its sessions, including a mix of established and newer artists... We are also narrowing Radio 1's quota for coverage of major live events and festivals so that it excludes special editions of live sessions, and includes only BBC and third-party live events. It will reduce from 25 to 10 events."
It is believed that the move will improve the station's annual budget after the license fee was frozen back in 2010. Other station's will also be expected to alter their output in the following ways:
- Radio 3 should minimise similarities with other classical music stations.
- Radio 1 should do more to promote its advice programme and social action documentaries during daytime.
- The number of new dramas on Radio 3 will be reduced from 25 to 20.
- More documentaries should be shared between Radio 1 and its sister station 1Xtra.
- A quota will be introduced to safeguard the amount of news and current affairs on Asian Network.
- BBC radio should continue to develop its online strategy.
- A fresh definition should be found for "new" music, as release dates become increasingly unclear in the online era. There should also be greater differentiation between new releases by established acts and newcomers.
It has not been made clear as to when these changes will take affect or what specific pieces of content will be cut.
[Via BBC]
