The BBC has announced a trio of new controllers, including an appointment to head its latest effort in mobile audio. Jonathan Wall is the first controller for the BBC Sounds app. He was previously controller for the BBC’s 5 live, spending more than two decades at the radio post.
“For many of us, radio is a constant companion. It’s also a source of truth and also sometimes of wonder,” said James Purnell, BBC director of radio and education. “With these appointments, we will have a team that works even more closely to continue to love our radio stations and grow BBC Sounds. Working together, BBC radio can make a difference – to the ideas we debate, the music we love, the way we understand each other. All three of the new Controllers talked about how they will empower their new teams, and I look forward to working with them to maximise the creativity of everyone who works with us for the benefit of our millions of listeners.”
BBC Sounds launched last year, and has been a mixed bag for the broadcaster. However, the BBC has confirmed that it does plan to continue building the project. The app has been downloaded more than 2.3 million times, and it now has almost 1.5 million users each week. In his post as controller, Wall will develop the strategy for BBC Sounds and have an overview of the radio, music, and audio content it houses.
The broadcaster also announced that Mohit Bakaya is the new controller for Radio 4 and Lorna Clarke is its first controller of pop music.