 |
Service remit
1Xtra plays the best in contemporary black music, with a strong emphasis on delivering high-quality live music and supporting new British artists. 1Xtra also brings listeners a bespoke news service, regular discussion programmes and specially commissioned documentaries, plus information and advice relevant to the young target audience, particularly – although not exclusively – those from ethnic minorities.
How the service meets each BBC purpose
|
|
|
|
Stimulating creativity and cultural excellence
The 1Xtra schedule offers a music mix designed to authentically reflect modern black music culture. We seek out the latest forms of black music and expose them to a wider audience than before. All relevant music genres feature in daytime programming, and the evening schedule focuses on single-genre programmes presented by the leading DJs in their field.
Live music is key to our proposition, and we broadcast events from venues across the UK, as well as exploring the black music scene abroad through coverage of events such as Jamaica’s World Clash, the premier international Dancehall event.
1Xtra strongly supports new musical talent, particularly from the UK, and we are committed to finding the next generation of music presenters through the weekly programme Xtra Talent.
Specifically this year we will:
- Showcase new and unsigned artists in the weekly Homegrown.
- Provide opportunities for music makers to develop through bbc.co.uk/1xmusic.
|
|
Measurable commitments
At least 70% of the music played will be new
(pre-release or less than one month since release).
At least 40% of the music played will be from the UK.
We will broadcast at least 50 live music events.
|
|
|
|
|
Building digital Britain
1Xtra is a digital network.
We will continue to develop ways to interact with our audiences and for our listeners to interact with each other via bbc.co.uk/1xtra.
We also use the website to provide exclusive content, bringing additional depth and range to our radio output.
This year we will:
- Undertake a redesign of bbc.co.uk/1xtra in order to offer improved navigation and interaction.
|
|
Measurable commitments
No specific quantitative commitments have been set.
|
|
|
|
Sustaining citizenship and civil society
1Xtra offers a tailor-made news service for its audience through its hourly TX bulletins and the two-hour weekday TX Unlimited, which provides coverage and analysis of national and international issues to an audience who may consume little news elsewhere.
|
|
Measurable commitments
Around 10% of output will be dedicated to news, documentaries and social action programming.
Approximately 20% of the overall output will be speech-based.
|
|
|
|
Reflecting the UK’s nations, regions and communities
1Xtra provides a national focal point for fans of all genres of black music throughout the UK, bringing together different audience groups through a shared passion.
We will continue to provide our unique range of genres, giving many music fans a shared listening experience for the first time, through programmes such as Vibrations for fans of street gospel and Panjabi Hit Squad for the latest Asian fusion sounds.
This year we will:
- Broadcast a national Drum ’n’ Bass tour from venues across the UK, supported by in-depth interactive coverage to connect fans of the genre.
|
|
Measurable commitments
No specific quantitative commitments have been set.
|
|
|
|
Bringing the world to the UK and the UK to the world
While 1Xtra is committed to UK music, we are also committed to bringing listeners the best non-UK origin black music, in particular relevant US genres.
This year we will:
- Broadcast a dedicated day of programming from around the UK focusing on homegrown artists.
- Cover the main international black music events, such as the World Clash and the Hip Hop Summit.
- Air a season of programmes from the USA to investigate the country’s continued dominance in black music.
|
|
Measurable commitments
No specific quantitative commitments have been set.
|
|
|
|
Promoting education and learning
1Xtra is primarily a music network, but we also provide some opportunities for informal learning through bespoke documentaries, information and advice relevant to our young target audience.
This year:
- We will encourage increased literacy through a range of programming to support the BBC’s RaW campaign.
|
|
Measurable commitments
No specific quantitative commitments have been set.
|
|
|
|
Key priorities for 2006/2007
In 2005/2006, 1Xtra increased its percentage of new music played, which helped underpin a steady period of audience growth across the year. This was supported by an increase in the depth and range of speech content as 1Xtra sought to encourage debate around issues that affect the audience’s lives. We achieved considerable impact through initiatives such as Between the Sheets: a Month in Bed with 1Xtra, our social action campaign highlighting issues of sexual health.
In the year ahead, our key priorities are to:
- Continue to enhance the depth and range of speech programming.
- Improve awareness of 1Xtra, particularly amongst young audiences.
- Increase our reach, capitalising on increasing awareness and digital listening.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Statutory commitments
None.
|
|
|
