BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra announced plans for a new show that takes advantage of the broadcaster’s digital tools. The new Playlist show will air on Radio 1 and will be available for download on the iPlayer Radio app. The hour-long show will feature a different host each week, and will center programming around a mood, theme, or event. Rotating titles include Daniel P. Carter’s Greatest Rock Songs Ever, Ellie Goulding’s Running Mix, Annie Mac’s Ibiza Classics and Grimmy’s Greatest Big Weekend Performances. BBC Scotland will produce the program, which joins the schedule beginning January 2016.
The BBC has been pushing to expand its digital offerings for listeners. The broadcaster released a report outlining its goals to cater to traditional platforms and prepare for an Internet-only future. To regular RAIN readers, several conceptual elements of this new show will sound familiar. The rotating cast of hosts is an approach taken by the curation-heavy Apple Music’s Beats 1 radio shows (and even Spotify is getting in on the act).
“Radio 1 continues to innovate with the way we present and distribute the new music that our listeners love, and I’m excited to see whose playlists I’ll be able to download to my phone,” said Ben Cooper, Controller of Radio1 and Radio1Xtra.
NOTE: Rhys Hughes, Head of Programmes for BBC Radio1 and Radio1Xtra is the keynote speaker at RAIN Summit Europe, Next Monday the 9th of November, at The Royal Institution in London. CLICK HERE to see the full-day agenda and speakers.
