BBC Introducing

"BBC Introducing" is the brand for new music programmes across the BBC showcasing unsigned, self signed and other emerging musical talent primarily from the UK. Launched in 2007 the Introducing brand brings programming from across the BBC under a unified brand with each show retaining it's own identity. Introducing has also been extended to the BBC's stages at major festivals such as Glastonbury, that would previously have been branded as BBC Radio 1. Introducing shows can now be found on most BBC Radio stations from national to local.

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Although BBC Local Radio appeals primarily to a target audience of over 50, by 2007 many stations had launched a weekly local music show to share and champion local bands. As shows such as The Download on BBC Radio Oxford, Raw Talent on BBC Radio Humberside and The Weekender on BBC Radio Nottingham proved popular there was interest in developing a more coherent structure and brand for new music on the BBC. The initial idea was to use the In New Music We Trust brand from BBC Radio 1 although this was deemed unsuitable for many of the local shows. Terms such as 'new music' and 'unsigned' were also seen as unhelpful in some circumstances with many acts being self signed or signed to small independent record labels. After much deliberation 'Introducing' was selected as a brand that could be added to existing show names, or used as a signpost for features within programming.

A national network

With most BBC Local Radio stations now featuring an Introducing show, the music team at BBC Radio 1 are seeking to make use of the local knowledge available across the corporation. In essence the national station has access to local experts across the country who are able to act as a filter and recommend artists for national attention. For big events, such as the BBC Introducing stage at the Glastonbury festival, local show producers submit acts for consideration to a central panel.

Introducing successes

The BBC hosted an Introducing stage at the Glastonbury Festival for the first time in 2007. One notable act selected to perform was The Ting Tings. The band, who reached UK number 1 with their single 'That's Not My Name' in May 2008, credit BBC Introducing with giving them a 'life changing' break when their performance on the Introducing stage was featured on TV.

References

http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2007/06_june/14/glastonbury.shtmlhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2008/05_may/19/ting.shtml

External links

* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/introducing The official BBC Introducing website]
* [http://www.mspace.com/bbcintroducing BBC Introducing on MySpace]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/threecounties/introducing BBC Introducing... in Beds, Herts & Bucks]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/oxford/entertainment/music/ BBC Introducing... in Oxford]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/jersey/introducing BBC Introducing... in Jersey]