Following the launch of eclectic music station 6Music and black music based 1Xtra, the BBC will launch two more new digital channels this Autumn. The ‘Asian Network’ will be launched later this month, and that will be followed by BBC7, a speech based entertainment station promising radio comedy, drama and children’s programming.
Meanwhile Radio 1 has announced it will launch a new Asian music show later this month. Broadcast overnight Friday/Saturday the new show will feature a mix of Bhangra and Bollywood, Garage, Drum ‘n’ Bass, Hip Hop and R’n’B. It will be hosted by Bobby Friction and Nihal - both well known figures on the Asian music scene. Talking about the new show Bobby told us: "British bhangra and the Asian underground are just the next step in the evolution of music in general. They can by no means be classed as separate musical genres with their influence now being heard in American Hip-Hop and UK Garage."
The show launches at 3am on 18 Oct.