BBC to launch Radio 3 extension station

The BBC has today announced plans for new extensions to BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 2 to allow stations to ‘delve deeper into specific genres and periods of music with context, curation and storytelling’.

Four new stations will be available on DAB+ and BBC Sounds and will present BBC music programmes and presenters alongside new commissions and content from the BBC archive. The new stations are part of the BBC’s aim to give its listeners more choice and Radio 3’s extension in particular is designed to offer ‘listeners a calming classical music experience that matches their daily routines and helps them escape the pressures of daily life.’

BBC director of music Lorna Clarke said: ‘Our extensions for Radio 1, Radio 2 and Radio 3 will allow listeners to deep-dive into more pop and classical genres and periods of music they love the most, uniquely created by the BBC. They’ll get a deeper listening experience than what’s available elsewhere, hear brilliant storytelling through our extensive archive, and discover more music to love whatever their mood.’

The Radio 3 extension will have an emphasis on ‘mood-based repertoire’, with works ‘specifically selected to aid focus’ and create a ‘consistent, calming listening experience’. It will aim to champion music by living composers and will have an emphasis on mood-based repertoire from the BBC Orchestras and Choirs, BBC’s New Generation Artists and BBC Introducing acts. The station’s ‘curated music mixes’ will feature previous Proms performances as well as ‘a small amount of new live content’.

The proposed new stations are subject to approvals from the regulator before they are launched using the BBC’s existing DAB allocation, but versions of the three new extensions are planned to launch on BBC Sounds later this year whilst the regulatory process takes place.