BBC Trust to review BBC Asian Network

The BBC Trust will be reviewing the BBC Asian Network, along with other BBC radio services in the coming weeks, BizAsia can reveal.

The review will apply to BBC Asian Network, Radio 1, 1Xtra, Radio 2, Radio 3 and Radio 6Music, which is expected to begin in May. There will be a public consultation so anyone will be able to give us their views – this consultation will open when the review launches later this year.

The Trust reviews every BBC service at least once every five years, looking at their performance against the terms of the service licence the Trust has set. In addition to the public consultation the BBC will carry out audience research and ask the BBC to provide the Trust with their own submission about the performance of the station.

In its licence, the BBC Asian Network’s remit consists of deliverng through an approximately 50:50 split of music
and speech during daytime, with the precise balance varying over the course of the week. Speech output should include a strong focus on accurate, impartial and independent news and current affairs, together with debate entertainment and culture relevant for a modern British Asian audience. The music played should include a broad range of South Asian-influenced music, with a particular emphasis on new and live music and British Asian artists. During the day an extensive playlist should form the backbone of the schedule, while weekend programmes should focus on more specialised areas.

The BBC Asian Network has an annual service budget of �6 million in 2013/14. Any planned or actual change in annual expenditure on the service of more than 10% in real value requires approval from the BBC Trust and may entail variation of this Service Licence.

The BBC Asian Network was last reviewed in 2012. Last week, RAJAR reported the station to have the biggest ever reach and reclaiming the top position in the UK amongst Asian radio stations.