BBC Switch

BBC Switch is the brand for BBC content aimed at UK teenagers and pre-teens, from ages 12-18. The brand launched on Saturday 20 October 2007 on BBC Two. It includes a block of television programmes on BBC Two, an online portal, and programming on the BBC's youth radio station, BBC Radio 1.

Television

Four programmes were originally shown as part of BBC Switch on Saturday afternoons on BBC Two. "Sound" is a weekly music show presented by Annie Mac and Nick Grimshaw. It focuses on new music with live performances and interviews filmed at outside locations throughout the UK, this is the BBC's replacement for old weekly format of "Top of the Pops" but it is not focussed on the charts as "TOTP" was. "Falcon Beach" is an imported Canadian coming-of-age drama about teenagers, their passions, relationships, friends, families and enemies. "Them" is a documentary series that explores the different teenage tribes that exist in Britain today. "The Surgery" is a chat show for BBC Switch, which effectively replaced "The Sunday Surgery", aiming to help teenagers with everyday problems.

On 17 May 2008 three new shows were launched under the BBC Switch brand: "Kyle XY", a sci-fi drama, "Class of 2008", a documentary series which follows six friends in London, and "Revealed", a new journalism show looking at the lives of teens in the UK, presented by Charlotte Ashton and Anthony Baxter.

Radio

Radio 1 devotes Sunday evenings to BBC Switch from 7.00pm. Switch with Nick Grimshaw, a.k.a 'Grimmy' is on air until 10.00pm featuring specialist music, hot gossip with Perez Hilton, news, live tracks and popular "Confuse the Teacher Feature", featuring comedian and Channel 4's Skins co-writer Josie Long. There is also a focus on the online stories of the week from across the social networking world. This is followed by The Surgery until midnight with Kelly Osbourne, an interactive radio show focusing on various issues concerning young people, such as sexual health, relationships and self-confidence. It is contributed to by listeners and specialist guests.

Online

BBC Switch online is an website portal linking teens to content across the BBC including Radio 1, 1Xtra, Blast and EastEnders. The Switch brand also includes BBC Slink an online magazine for teenage girls.

Annie Mac said: "I'm really honoured and excited to be involved with BBC Switch on Sunday nights. The show is going to be like nothing heard on radio before. It's a proper challenge for me and something I can't wait to get stuck in to.

"As for Sound, I'm really looking forward to working with Grimmy [Nick Grimshaw] and the opportunity to showcase new and upcoming bands on TV is truly exciting for me, it's so important that music gets this kind of TV exposure."

External links

*bbc.co.uk|id=switch|title=BBC Switch