16th September 2010

COMMERCIAL RADIO CALLS ON BBC TO ADOPT CHILDREN’S RADIO PARTNERSHIP

RadioCentre, the industry body for commercial radio, has called for the BBC to increase its commitment to children’s radio programming and accept a ground-breaking partnership proposal from the commercial sector to help children’s radio reach a much wider audience.

The proposal advocates the establishment of a content-sharing partnership with Fun Kids, the dedicated children’s digital radio station, enabling it to access BBC children’s content for inclusion within the Fun Kids schedule, or the BBC having a dedicated block of hours on Fun Kids to be BBC branded and produced. Neither configuration would require any new financial outlay by the BBC, nor would Fun Kids schedule any commercial messaging around BBC programming.

BBC children’s radio programming is currently broadcast for only four hours per day on digital station Radio 7, principally targeted at pre-school listeners, and awareness and reach of this content is low. The BBC Trust’s current service review of Radios 3, 4 & 7 states that BBC Management intends to target older children and reduce the volume of children’s programming overall. In addition, BBC Management has proposed re-branding Radio 7 as Radio 4 Extra – but no commitment to the continued provision of children’s radio programming has been provided. This follows a steady reduction in the volume of BBC children’s radio content provided since the BBC was founded. See notes to editors below.

Andrew Harrison, Chief Executive, RadioCentre, said:

“The current scheduling of children’s content on the fringes of the Radio 7 schedule, amidst content targeted at adults, is woefully under-serving young listeners and failing to deliver public value. We believe that the BBC should give greater consideration to children’s radio in future, but also we give our full support to Fun Kids’ pioneering proposal and urge BBC Management to progress discussions without further delay.”

Gregory Watson, Managing Director of Fun Kids, said:

“Fun Kids and the current CBeebies Radio content on BBC Radio 7 complement each other. Partnership would enable the BBC and Fun Kids to provide a wider choice of programming to children of all ages, across the UK, and help encourage more children to make radio part of their everyday lives.”

Notes to Editors

Summary of the BBC’s investment in children’s radio programming:

- Children’s Hour launched in 1922, primarily broadcast on the BBC Home Service - axed in 1964 (by which time it was known as For the Young). - Listen with Mother launched in 1950, primarily broadcast on the BBC Home Service - axed in 1982. - Cat’s Whiskers launched in 1986 - axed in 1994 (when Radio 5 was re-launched). - Children’s programming on Radio 4 launched soon after Radio 5’s re-launch - scrapped in 1998. - Go4It launched in 2001 on Radio 4 - axed in 2009. - Radio 7 launched in 2002. Cbeebies Radio used to broadcast between 2-5pm, but is now broadcast between 6-8am, whilst Big Toe Books was broadcast between 7-8am and is now broadcast between 4-5pm. - Radio 3 axed its only children’s series, Making Tracks, in 2006.

About Fun Kids

Fun Kids, which is dedicated to children aged under 10 and their families, is a music based station playing a wide range of pop music, music from films and shows, and popular children’s songs of interest to ’s children. Around 25% of programming is speech content, comprising both educational as well as more entertainment based features. Fun Kids entertains and educates by encouraging children to listen, use their imagination and develop interaction skills, as well as to become more aware of their wider environment.

Fun Kids is available through DAB digital radio in London, Wi-Fi radio and online at funkidslive.com. Fun Kids was awarded Digital Station of the Year at the Sony Awards 2009 and the Arqiva Commercial Radio Awards 2010.

Fun Kids is owned and operated by Folder Media Ltd.

For further information:

Yvette Dore Head of PR RadioCentre 020 3206 7853 or 07887 682 909