What is BBC Asian Network?
What is 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 programme, documentaries and reflects British Asian arts and culture as well as its own urban soap, Silver Street.
The BBC Asian Network's remit covers news, music and events from British Asia and South Asia (including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka). This does not include locations in South East Asia. There is more information about the remit at bbc.co.uk/info/statements2008/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/
Back to top
Public Documents about Asian Network
There are also two public documents about the Asian Network.
The new 'Service Licences' are the set of standards to which the BBC Trust will hold BBC Asian Network to.
And the Statements of Programme Policy (SoPPs) are our public promises to audiences.
Plus more at:
rajar.co.uk - listening figures
bbc.co.uk/news - news stories
media.guardian.co.uk - news stories
Back to top
History of Asian Network
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 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 broadcastis 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 last 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.
Back to top
© MMIX