Stimulating creativity and cultural excellence
Radio 1 has a fundamental commitment to new music. We aim to play a vital role for UK music makers, acting as a major supporter of creativity and showcasing new artists and styles of music.

In daytime an extensive playlist ensures that we offer listeners the chance to hear new tracks and new performers, taking our output beyond the obvious. We give strong support to new UK talent and lead the way in breaking the best new music to a wide audience.

During the evening a portfolio of leading specialist DJs support the development of acts at the cutting edge of music and champion the best across to daytime programmes.

Live music is a key distinctive element and features across the schedule, with studio sessions from the newest bands as important as concerts from established artists. We also cover an extensive range of live events.

This year:

• We will work with other areas of the BBC to launch a new contemporary music version of the Proms.
• We will focus more on events from around the UK, in particular Scotland, with Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Dundee and expanded coverage of T in the Park.

Sustaining citizenship and civil society
Radio 1 employs a dedicated team of journalists to provide a tailor-made service, delivering news in an appropriate tone and language for young listeners. We offer a more comprehensive news service than commercial stations which target a similar audience.

Our flagship Newsbeat programmes are at the heart of the daytime schedule, supplemented by regular news and sports bulletins and an online presence. Newsbeat aims to set the news agenda for our audience by focusing on national and international issues of particular relevance to them, encouraging listeners who tune in primarily for music to explore a broad range of subjects.

This year:

• We will enhance coverage of technological and youth health issues – reflecting young listeners’ interests and concerns in these areas.

Building digital Britain
bbc.co.uk/radio1 offers users a comprehensive interactive service, supplying additional information on programmes and events, as well as news and special features.

We will continue experimenting with the latest technology to ensure that we meet the shifting expectations and demands of the audience.

This year:

• There will be increased interactive coverage, including broadband video around some live events, allowing listeners to access content across a range of platforms.

Promoting education and learning
Through programmes like Sunday Surgery we address a range of issues facing young people today. Listeners are encouraged to share experiences as well as get information and advice.

The One Life team is responsible for social action output online, offering continuous guidance on a range of personal, health and other concerns.

Tailored documentaries provide in-depth examinations of everything from new music styles to topical lifestyle and political issues affecting young adults.

For new music makers looking to kick-start their career, OneMusic offers advice and gives young artists the opportunity to have their work reviewed by established experts.

This year we will:

• Work with the Department of Health on a sexual health initiative.
• Run a mental health awareness campaign.

Reflecting the UK’s nations, regions and communities
Radio 1 aims to unite young listeners from different communities, both geographical and musical. We will continue to provide an online forum for the audience to discuss areas of common interest.

Live events reflect the wide range of music-making by UK artists, with our own events often focusing on areas underserved by commercial promoters.

Regular opt-out programmes in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland foster grassroots relationships and help to develop local talent.

This year:

• In our coverage of the FIFA World Cup we will ensure that we reflect attitudes and interests across the whole UK.

Bringing the world to the UK and the UK to the world
We place a major emphasis on supporting UK artists and acting as their ambassador to the rest of the world, but we also bring the best and most exciting contemporary global music to the attention of UK audiences.

Coverage of major international music events allows us to showcase artists from around the world who rarely visit the UK.

Last year Radio 1 covered a more diverse range of live events from festivals across the UK and around the world. Creative programme initiatives included celebrating 25 years of punk, extending summer weekends to include Fridays, and a ‘Radio 1 Sex Tour’ to highlight issues surrounding sexual health.

Audience reach has risen across much of the schedule. However, awareness of some specialist programmes remains low and engaging younger members of the target audience remains a key challenge.

In 2006/2007 the station will address this by:

• Simplifying the structure of the schedule and introducing better programme signposting and promotion, aiming to raise awareness and listening across the range of our specialist output.
• Developing interactive content that complements on-air output, in particular adding visual elements where appropriate and exploiting the latest mobile technologies to ensure that our audience has access to Radio 1 as and when they want it.
• Continuing to ensure that programmes remain distinct from commercial radio, undertaking regular monitoring that focuses in particular on Radio 1’s daytime support for new music and UK artists.

We remain fully committed to our voluntary pledge that at least 10% of eligible hours on our national analogue radio networks will be made by independent producers.