About - Asian Network
- About Asian Network
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What is the BBC Asian Network?
BBC Asian Network is a national digital radio station providing speech and music appealing anyone interested in British Asian lifestyles. The station broadcasts the best in Bollywood and Bhangra music as well as R'n'B & Hip Hop and British Asian Underground. Asian Network also broadcasts news, discussion programmes, documentaries and reflects British Asian arts and culture.
What is the remit of BBC Asian Network?
The BBC Asian Network's remit covers news, music and events from UK Asian communities and South Asia diaspora (including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh). This does not include locations in South East Asia. It broadcasts primarily in English, but some programming is provided in a range of South Asian languages. The primary target audience is British Asians under 35 (reflecting the age profile of the Asian communities), but the station should also appeal to anyone with an interest in British Asian issues, music and culture.
There is more information about the remit at http://www.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/statements2010/radio/asian.shtml
If you wish to comment further on the BBC Asian Network's remit, you can contact BBC Feedback at http://www.bbc.co.uk/feedback/ or BBC Complaints at http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/
Public Documents about BBC Asian Network
The new 'Service Licences' are the set of standards to which the BBC Trust will hold BBC Asian Network to: http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/our_work/service_reviews/service_licences/bbc_asian_network.shtml
Plus more at:
rajar.co.uk - listening figuresHistory of Asian Network
2011 - After a year of uncertainty, the Asian Network was reprieved as national radio station, largely due to its improving audience figures which went up to around half a million people each week. However, like other areas of the BBC, it faces significant cuts to its budget. Final plans for the Asian Network are now subject to a consultation process by the BBC Trust.
2010 - It was announced that Asian Network would close as a national station and be replaced by five regional services in London, Birmingham, Leicester, Manchester and Leeds/Bradfotrd. The audience had declined and the station was thus costing too much per hour compared with other networks. However over the 12 months after the closure announcement, the audience figures recovered significantly under a revised strategy which described output as ` a friend of the family`.
2006 - The BBC announced that they were investing an extra £1m in the BBC Asian Network and placing it under the controller of BBC Radio Five Live. Considerable schedule changes were introuced the following year.
2002 - Launched as a national BBC digital network on DAB on 28th October with programming originating from London, Leicester and Birmingham.
2000-2002 - Focus of station shifts from serving the Midland Asian population to the UK as a national service for all Asian communities. Director General of the BBC, Greg Dyke moves Asian Network from Nations and Regions to Radio and Music. The station establishes its own website and is made available on the internet and cable services.
1996-2000 - Asian Network expands including gaining access to LR medium wave in the North, Derbyshire, Bedfordshire, and Hertfordshire. Crucially it gains space on the Sky satellite and in 1998 establishes its own newsroom (with reporters in London, Leeds, Manchester and the Midlands).
1996 - Asian Network is established as a 24 hour regional station.
1994-1996 - Asian Network on WM and Leicester now broadcasts 7 days per week from afternoon till midnight.
1993 - Leicester and WM frequencies are successfully retained.
1991 - Govt. lifts ban on splitting temporarily to allow expansion of Asian Network programmes carrying World Service bulletins during Gulf War. Proposal for a national federal Asian Network using key LR medium wave frequencies in all major centre of Asian population (July). This ambition not realised as BBC agrees to yield key London and Manchester medium wave frequency 1458 kHz to Radio Authority. Major regional public campaign in Midlands to retain Leicester and WM frequencies led by Local Radio Advisory Councils. DG Michael Check land refuses to yield the frequencies in a terse note to the Radio Authority. Wrangling lasted for two years.
1989 - World Service bulletins in Hindi, Urdu, and Bengali broadcast for the first time on Radio Leicester (17th October) and BAPS syndication of World Service programming for all LR stations established. 30th October Asian Network launched on WM and Radio Leicester with a combined output of 70 hours per week Asian Network programmes also taken by BBC CWR on launch of that station. First threat to Asian Network when Govt. decides that simulcasting must end. LR medium wave frequencies had to be yielded to the Radio Authority for commercial radio expansion. Ban imposed on further splitting of frequencies thwarts Asian Network ambitions to expand programming
1988 - First plans for shared Asian programmes across the Midlands on Radios Leicester and WM named "The Asian Network"
1983/4 - BBC Radio WM follows Leicester lead and strips Asian programmes across the week. Both stations achieve substantial audiences.
1977-1982 - Range of programming extended to include language and literacy skill dramas 'Kahani Apni Apni'.and 'Chalo Kaam Kare' and Asian Song contests plus additional programming at weekends.
1977 - BBC Radio Leicester strips Asian programmes across the week 'The 6 o'clock show' revolutionising Asian programming on the BBC which had hitherto been single programmes on LR and on Radio 4. Audience research shows massive take-up of the programme with 67% reach of Leicester Asian community.
