The Greater Manchester Music Commission has said that it is ‘deeply concerned’ about plans from the BBC to cut funding for some of its specialist radio music programming. Shows including BBC Introducing would be affected by the cuts, as well as BBC Radio Manchester’s The People and Asian community show Indus.
The group, which is made up of a host of influential figures in the Manchester music scene, and reports to Andy Burnham’s Greater Manchester Combined Authority, said in a statement: “The Greater Manchester Music Commission is deeply concerned by the announcement of proposed cuts to BBC Local Radio programming in Greater Manchester, particularly the impact they will have on The People, Indus, and BBC Introducing.
“The adventurous programming, research and development undertaken by these shows plays a vital role that isn't mirrored within the BBC's national offering. Failing to provide informed specialist programming that serves African, Caribbean and Asian communities will result in a severely diminished platform for Black or Asian artists, and, distressingly, a radio landscape that in no way reflects the Greater Manchester we live in.
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“These shows need to remain both on traditional airwaves and on digital platforms so younger and older audiences can access this vital programming. It added that ‘The People, Indus, and BBC Introducing have consistently provided a launchpad for diverse grassroots talent as well as supporting and promoting the wider musical eco-system’.
BBC Introducing has proved a vital source of finding new music talent, aiding the early careers of the likes of Lewis Capaldi, Little Simz, Florence + the Machine and Ed Sheeran. The show has also held live events at venues around the city, including the Night and Day Cafe and the Blues Kitchen.
But the cuts planned would cut 32 regional shows currently broadcasting down to just 11.
Jay Taylor of the Music Venue Trust, and co-chair of the GMMC, said: “It really shouldn't need saying, but The People, Indus, and BBC Introducing form pivotal parts of the Greater Mancunian grassroots music structure. So much so, that any ill-judged tampering could have dire implications for the key cultural players behind these shows, impact gravely on a diverse body of artists, and weaken our wider grassroots music communities.
“With the grassroots music sector under immense pressure, this isn't the time for diminished investment, quite the reverse, so it's critical that these strangely short-sighted cuts are reconsidered and that BBC Radio doubles-down on support for indispensable local programming."
Rivca Burns, who founded the Sounds From The Other City festival, added: “These shows are critical in the music ecology of not only Greater Manchester but the UK, to platform music that other shows simply ignore and to give time and space for interviews from those who never get heard. In a post Brexit and post pandemic world where touring is harder, funding is slimmer and the grassroots industry is struggling to keep up shows like these give hope, support and a critical platform.”
In a statement about planned new scheduling on regional stations, the BBC said that it ‘will not compromise the essence of BBC Introducing’.
"We need to acknowledge the changing listening habits of audiences and the intention is to reach even more people,” it went on. “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."
The BBC added that in new plans 'much-loved community programmes shows will become more accessible by moving from their traditional single Sunday evening slot to new programmes on Monday and Friday evenings', while the number of stations featuring community programming will increase from 20 to 33.
Meanwhile, the BBC Introducing and BBC Upload shows will be broadcast on Thursday and Saturday evenings, with 'more prominence to new music artists on BBC Sounds and across our local radio schedule'.
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