The remit of 1Xtra is to play the best in contemporary black music with a strong emphasis on live music and supporting new UK artists. The schedule should also offer a bespoke news service, regular discussion programmes and specially commissioned documentaries relevant to the young target audience (15–24 year olds), particularly – although not exclusively – those from ethnic minorities.

1Xtra will continue to contribute towards the delivery of the BBC's public purposes in the range of ways set out in its service licence. Key developments in the way in which the service will contribute to each purpose are outlined below. These are designed to address the priorities identified by the BBC Trust, future-proof the delivery of the purposes, and address perceived gaps in delivery in line with strategies in the BBC's purpose plans.

1 Stimulating creativity and cultural excellence

• Priority: Following extensive schedule changes in October 2007, over the coming year 1Xtra will focus on developing both Trevor Nelson and Zena on 1Xtra Breakfast and Mistajam's early-evening programme into key showcases for the network.
• Live music and events coverage will feature prominently across the output, with 1Xtra working closely with BBC Introducing..., covering the BBC Electric Proms, and heading to Glastonbury with Jay-Z.
• The station's new signature event 1Xtra Live, launched in March 2008, will be developed with the aim of turning it into an unmissable date in the UK's black music calendar. It will be complemented by smaller and more specialised events and club nights, reflecting the diverse range of music enjoyed by 1Xtra's audience.

2 Sustaining citizenship and civil society

• 1Xtra's dedicated news team will deliver a comprehensive service to the station's young audience, including a number of special programmes tackling key issues in depth.
• Weekly documentaries will not only profile iconic black music artists and public figures, but also on occasion tackle difficult and challenging subject areas. Can I Get a Witness? will explore the reluctance of some people to appear in the witness box and look at the problems this poses for the justice system.

3 Representing the UK, its nations, regions and communities

• Podcasts offer a highly portable form of content which can be targeted at specific musical communities. 1Xtra will review the range and formats of its podcast portfolio over the next 12 months to ensure that it best suits listeners' requirements.
• Ras Kwame's Introducing HomeGrown show will take to the road for a number of shows around the UK to highlight new and emerging British black music artists.

4 Bringing the UK to the world and the world to the UK

• 1Xtra will expose its audience to the best music from around the world, as well as showcasing the best black music talent from around the UK. Important events in the international music calendar will also be reflected, for example the 2008 hip-hop Power Summit.

5 Promoting education and learning

• Priority: Working together with Radio 1 and BBC Switch, 1Xtra will focus on increasing the impact of its social action campaigns. Coinciding with the summer holidays, we will look at binge drinking, encouraging listeners to think about the dangers of excessive drinking; and we will also run a money campaign, highlighting personal finance issues.
• Black History Month in October will be marked with various programmes and documentaries focusing on key historic musical and political events.

6 Delivering the benefit of emerging communications technologies

• Priority: Working closely with Radio 1, 1Xtra will look to increase awareness of the station and its content, sharing both programming and expertise on a range of key initiatives and seeking greater opportunities for cross-promotion.
• Subject to rights and permissions, 1Xtra will look to maximise the possibilities that technology provides to share its content across the web, including syndicating video and audio highlights in association with partners, and allowing listeners to use 1Xtra content on their own web pages.

Unless otherwise stated, all commitments are minimum hours or percentages and include originations, repeats and acquisitions.

Stimulating creativity and cultural excellence

• 60% of music in daytime that is new
  (either unreleased or less than one month since release – physical release, not download release)
  (Daytime is defined as 06.00–19.00 Monday–Friday and 08.00–14.00 Saturday–Sunday.)
• 35% of music in daytime from the UK
• 50 live music events
• Contribute to BBC Radio's commitment to commission at least 10% of eligible hours of output from independent producers

Sustaining citizenship and civil society

• c.20% of speech-based output each week
  (with flexibility for holiday periods and occasional special schedule changes)
• c.10% of weekly output dedicated to news, documentaries and social action programming
  (with flexibility for holiday periods and occasional special schedule changes)