BBC 'plots digital radio spinoffs'

The BBC reportedly plans to grow its five main radio brands with show extensions and digital spinoff stations following the proposed axe of 6 Music and the Asian Network.

According to The Guardian, the corporation will use some of the money saved from closing the two digital stations to increase the programming already being aired on Radio 1, Radio 2, Radio 3, Radio 4 and Radio 5 Live.

In the 12 months to the end of March 2009, it is understood that the BBC spent £16m on content for broadcast on 6 Music and the Asian Network.

The BBC has previously adopted a similar approach with its television brands, including spinoff shows such as BBC Three's Doctor Who Confidential and The Apprentice: You're Fired on BBC Two.

Radio 5 Live already operates digital sister station 5 Live Sports Extra, which adds value without costing huge sums as it does not run a full broadcast schedule.

The corporation will also take confidence from the success of ITV's spin-off properties such as The Xtra Factor and Britain's Got More Talent.

"Just like The Xtra Factor goes backstage and tells you what happened at The X Factor, so Radio 2 could have spinoff digital shows with extra coverage from Glastonbury or the Electric Proms," said an industry executive.

The BBC could adopt an alternative approach of 6 Music being rebranded as Radio 2 Extra and allocated just an evening schedule.

However, 6 Music DJ Steve Lamacq wrote recently on his Going Deaf For A Living blog that the approach would be "a bit like having your four-bedroom house compulsorily purchased and replaced with a bedsit on the edge of Heathrow".

Thompson's strategy review indicated that BBC Radio 7 will be rebranded as Radio 4 Extra and given additional investment to grow its schedule. Industry sources believe that the BBC will also revamp BBC Radio 1Xtra to bring the station closer to its parent network.

However, a BBC spokesman said: "We would like to clarify that there are currently no proposals for BBC Radio beyond those outlined in the strategy review.

"We have said that we will reinvest any funds from the proposed closure of 6 Music in digital radio content, but anything beyond this is speculation at this stage."