The BBC is expanding its broadcast radio network with three new music stations – a move described as a “significant milestone” in the history of BBC Radio.
The three new station extensions from BBC Radio 1 and Radio 3 are the first to be added to the BBC’s music portfolio since 2002, when the BBC launched 6 Music, 1Xtra and Asian Network.
After launching on BBC Sounds as streams last year, they will now be available to listen to on DAB+ radio following Ofcom approval. The new brand extensions will continue to live on BBC Sounds, as well as on DAB+.
However, the new stations will not go down well with advertiser-funded commercial radio, which has consistently pushed back against BBC expansion. The commercial sector won a partial victory with the blocking of a proposed Radio 2 nostalgia station by Ofcom, which identified a negative impact on direct competitors such as Boom Radio.
While welcoming the decision on the Radio 2 spin-off last year, commercial radio trade body Radiocentre cast doubt on the distinctiveness of the three new stations and questioned their public service role as part of the licence fee-funded broadcaster.
BBC brand extensions into online digital streams, such as its 24-hour BBC Radio 1 dance service, prompted calls for an Ofcom review of BBC Sounds in 2020.
The three new digital stations are targeted at an audience the BBC said was previously underrepresented in their offering.
