UK music industry figures call for BBC Introducing shows to be saved
The local radio element of the platform which aims to highlight new artists is reportedly set to be scaled back
A number of music industry figures and organisations have expressed concerns at reports that elements of BBC Introducing, the BBC platform which highlights new and upcoming artists, is set to be scaled back.
As part of cuts to the BBC's operations, it's believed that the local radio element of BBC Introducing, which is described by the organisation as a "platform supporting unsigned, undiscovered, and under-the-radar UK music talent", will be scrapped. There are claims that all 32 BBC Introducing presenters across the UK have been put on notice of redundancy as part of the shake-up.
The heads of 13 music industry bodies, including the Music Venue Trust and Association of Independent Music, have penned a letter to the BBC chairman Richard Sharp expressing their dismay that BBC Introducing "may be under threat as a result of wider cuts to the BBC’s network of local radio stations".
The letter reads: "We want to impress on you very strongly that this would be a fundamental blow to the health of the entire grassroots sector. New and emerging artists already face significant obstacles to breaking into the music industry, challenges that are amplified for those artists and musicians living outside of the major cities.
"BBC Introducing has been essential in providing access routes into the industry, with local and regional opportunities available right across the country. Whatever reorganisation might be required to meet the demands of the future stability and viability of the BBC, it should not be the case that BBC Introducing is the unintended victim of those changes."
In response to the letter, a BBC spokesperson said in a statement: "Our new local radio schedules will be announced in due course but they will not compromise the essence of BBC Introducing. We're committed to maintaining dedicated support for discovering and sharing the work of new talent at each of our 39 local radio stations. Local radio will continue to celebrate local artists and be an entry point for talent.
"We need to acknowledge the changing listening habits of audiences and the intention is to reach even more people. Every local radio station has a place on BBC Sounds which has a fixed Introducing slot featuring prominently with more content than radio schedules could ever accommodate. We also regularly feature Introducing tracks and artists on breakfast shows and that will continue too."
BBC Introducing has helped to launch and develop the careers of a number of the UK's biggest artists over more than a decade or so, with the likes of Little Simz, Ed Sheeran and Florence & The Machine among those who've been shown support through the platform in the early stages of their respective careers.
An anonymous source has told The Guardian that the plan was to "rationalise" BBC Introducing, with a two-thirds reduction in the number of shows, which would ultimately air across larger regional boundaries. Those changes, however, would increase the competition across shows and reduce the amount of airtime available for individual new artists.
"We are currently left wondering what will happen to our local BBC Introducing shows," BBC Radio London presenter Jess Iszatt said of her weekly show. "We worry that artists, listeners and anyone else who benefits from BBC Introducing as a new music platform will not realise what's happened until it is too late. Regionalising shows is just one step towards getting rid of them completely, and therefore cutting off a vital platform for new artists to get their music heard."
Last year, Nia Archives became the first electronic music artist to be named BBC Music Introducing Artist of the Year.
