RADIO: BBC Asian Network launch soap on Monday

The UK’s first daily Asian radio drama starts this coming Monday (24th May 2004) on the BBC Asian Network. Silver Street follows the lives of young Asians living in a Midlands city and offers a fresh, fast-moving and topical portrayal of modern Asian life.

The ambitious project has drawn together some of the best British Asian talent in writing, production and performance, and formed a new team in BBC Radio Drama. Silver Street storylines tackle the issues and challenges facing the British Asian community in a fresh and entertaining way. Property developers, club promoters, a potential Asian football star and families with hopes, ambitions and secrets feature amongst the drama’s characters.

Their stories are played out against the backdrop of urban Britain – the municipal park, community centre and restaurants ? with a strong soundtrack, featuring newly commissioned music from prominent Asian artists Shri (of Badmarsh & Shri) and Niraj Chag. More than �1 million is being invested in the project which provides five daily, ten-minute episodes, broadcast Monday to Friday and repeated as an omnibus at the weekend.

The show airs twice a day, once during Sonia Deol’s popular morning talk show and then in Ray Khan’s Drivetime show, with an omnibus edition over the weekends.