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BBC Local Radio to shift Black & Asian content in new plans

The BBC has announced further plans to reshape local services after listening to audience feedback around proposals for local radio programming.

In October last year ambitious proposals to modernise BBC local services were set out to boost online provision for 43 areas across the country, enhance local audio services on BBC Sounds and create a new network of investigative reporters.

Future plans for dedicated programming on BBC Local Radio for Black and Asian audiences have been announced. The much-loved community programmes shows will become more accessible by moving from their traditional single Sunday evening slot to new programmes on Monday and Friday evenings. The number of stations featuring community programming will increase from 20 to 33.

– Full line-ups and schedule information will be announced later this year.

Elsewhere in local radio, the updated plans include:

– Increasing the proposed number of afternoon weekday programmes from 18 to 20 between 2pm and 6pm
– Increasing the proposed number of weekend daytime shows from 12 to 18 between 10am and 2pm on Saturday and Sunday mornings
– Revising proposed pairings of stations in response to feedback from audiences

Jason Horton, Director of Production, BBC Local, said, “Our goal over the next 12 months is to modernise our BBC Local services in England to strengthen our online provision for communities across the country. We have listened carefully to the feedback we have received about proposed changes to BBC Local Radio programming. As a result, we are making a number of amendments to the original plan in order to strike the best possible balance between live and on-demand services.”