New presenters and programmes will start on BBC Asian Network over the next few months.
Changes are being made to the schedule after the station agreed with the BBC Trust to remove a requirement to broadcast programming in South Asian languages – something it has done since its inception.
Comedians and actors Mawaan Rizwan and Emily Lloyd-Saini will host a brand new show on Mondays from 9pm to midnight. Guz Khan takes on a new weeknight show on Tuesdays with his own brand of ‘comedy and grime’.
Yasser’s BBC Introducing show moves to Wednesday nights. Yasser will also take over on the The Official Asian Music Chart every Saturday afternoon.
Yasser says: “Due to the impressive and high quality of music being produced, a lot of the new artists I champion, including from BBC Introducing, are now making regular appearances in the world famous Official Asian Music Chart! I’m really excited to take on the Chart Show responsibility. I’ve been an avid listener since the show was launched and I can’t wait to get stuck in with the adrenaline and excitement the show brings.”
Another new show will begin on Friday nights as mixes from a range of DJ talent set the tone for the weekend.
The new schedule starts on Monday 9 January, 2017. The changes mean that three presenters will leave the station, including Ray Khan, who has presented for Asian Network for over 25 years.
Bob Shennan, Controller at the station, says: “These changes to BBC Asian Network’s Service Licence are necessary to help the station evolve its unique offer for the younger British Asian community whilst remaining as distinctive and relevant as ever. The station will still be culturally rich and showcase the best content from across Asian communities, and it will continue incorporate South Asian language in its programming where editorially appropriate.”
BBC Asian Network launched as a digital radio station in 2002 along with BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC 7, which was later renamed BBC Radio 4 Extra. Before being available on digital radio the station could be heard in the West Midlands and Leicester on local radio. The station and 6 Music were threatened with closure in 2010.
The BBC Trust previously required the station to broadcast 20 hours per week of language programming. This requirement is now removed and the station says this will allow it to focus on reaching a younger British Asian audience.
The BBC says the changes mark an evolution in a station designed for an audience that now accounts for one in ten of those aged under 30. Asian Network’s primary target audience is British Asians under 35 years old.