The BBC has launched its BBC Sounds platform, which brings together 80,000 hours of music, radio and podcasts, available live and on-demand in a personalised single app and website.
As revealed in the latest issue of Music Week, Bob Shennan, director, BBC Radio and Music, has described the app as “transformational”. It was available in beta during the summer.
“This is a really significant landmark for the BBC, it’s probably the most significant launch we’ve had in a couple of decades,” he told Music Week.
With its one-tap listening experience, BBC Sounds encourages discovery of content including exclusive music mixes, radio shows and BBC podcasts, as well as popular podcasts made outside the BBC.
Forty new music mixes have been curated, including selections available now or soon from Nile Rodgers, Kylie Minogue, Mabel and Tom Grennan. A Behind The Album inspirations feature is available from Rita Ora, with forthcoming editions include The Prodigy and Years & Years.
Now Hear This from Radio 1 features new tracks chosen by the network’s music team, while BBC Introducing The Hot List features unsigned talent. BBC 1Xtra has also curated music content specially for the app.
BBC Sounds was launched with a high-profile industry event at Tate Modern (October 30) featuring Annie Mac, Craig David, Mabel, Nile Rodgers & Chic and Tom Grennan.
Radio is a unique and precious part of our lives and we’re innovating to secure its future for generations to come
Tony Hall
BBC director-general Tony Hall said: “Radio is a unique and precious part of our lives and we’re innovating to secure its future for generations to come. BBC Sounds is a standalone, and standout, destination bringing the best of everything we do in audio into one place. It allows us all to experiment – to explore new music, stories and ideas – to play with form and content. And it’s going to support a whole new generation of talent.”
James Purnell, director of Radio and Education, added: “BBC Sounds will bring you all our audio, at the touch of a button. We’ll do the hard work of finding the right mix, podcast or radio programme for you. It’s the start of an adventure – we’ll learn from our audiences to keep improving what Sounds offers, so we can bring the best to everyone.”
Shennan added: “BBC Radio has always been brilliant at reinventing itself and BBC Sounds is the next chapter in that great tradition. We make the best radio, podcasts and offer the best music curation in the world and through BBC Sounds we can ensure more people than ever can enjoy that when and how they want.”
To read the full Bob Shennan interview pick up the latest issue - or subscribers can click here.
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