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Radio 1 to launch iPlayer video channel

By | Published on Monday 7 October 2013

Radio 1

Radio 1 has been rather obsessed with creating video content for a while now, even though you could argue that the generously funded (via the BBC licence fee) radio station should really concentrate on what it does best, ie audio, and let the Beeb’s telly division concentrate on audio-visual.

Though record pluggers might argue that with so few outlets on mainstream BBC TV for new music – to such an extent that the Andrew Marr Sunday morning politics show has weirdly become a top target for labels seeking live performance opportunities for their acts – the news that Radio 1 is getting its own video channel on the iPlayer should be welcomed.

While Radio 1 bosses will point out that their youth demographic rarely consume one form of media in isolation, and a combination of audio and video is needed to engage the audience the BBC Trust insists it must service. So perhaps we should all welcome the just announced iPlayer-enabled Radio 1 video channel, and just let its direct commercial rivals (MTV, Box TV, the now TV-focused Global Radio) do the grumbling.

Says Radio 1 boss Ben Cooper: “I’m very excited about transforming Radio 1 from being just a radio station into being a full audio-visual channel. Radio 1 has always pioneered innovative ideas and led the way in engaging with young people and this is another huge step in cementing that reputation”.



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