Asian music wins

The BBC Trust's review of the Asian Network removes live sport, drama and "daily devotional" programmes from the network. It is allowed to play more records - up from 50% of the output to 60%, with the caveat that its music policy should be "distinctive" (i.e. not tread on the toes of commercial competitors). The target audience is set at "Under 35".  Overall, the net "scope" savings are put at £1.7m - I suspect the impact on headcount will still be quite high. Here's the relevant par from the Trust report.  · 

A reduction in the station’s hours of transmission so that it will broadcast from 6am to midnight only, opting to Radio 5 live from midnight to 6am.


Simplification of the schedule through reducing the number of documentaries from 15 half-hour programmes to around five half-hour programmes per annum and decommissioning drama, sports coverage and daily devotional programmes. 


An increase in the overall proportion of music on the station, changing the balance of music to speech from 50:50 to 60:40. This will include changes to the profile of music played, with more non-UK music alongside the current volume of British Asian music.