BBC Introducing is the brand for new music programmes across the BBC radio stations, showcasing unsigned, self signed and other emerging musical talent primarily from the UK. Launched in 2007 the Introducing brand brings programming from across the BBC under a unified brand with each show retaining its own identity. Introducing has also been extended to the BBC's stages at major festivals such as Glastonbury. Introducing shows can now be found on most BBC Radio stations from national to local. In 2010 BBC Introducing was awarded the best new platform to discover music at the BT Digital Music Awards.[1] In May 2011, BBC Introducing won the Gold award for Best Use of Multiplatform at the Sony Radio Academy Awards.[2]
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The initial idea was to use the In New Music We Trust brand from BBC Radio 1 although this was deemed unsuitable for many of the local shows. 'Introducing' was ultimately selected as a brand that could be added to existing show names, or used as a signpost for features within programming.
By 2007 many BBC local radio stations had launched a weekly local music show to share and champion local bands. As shows such as The Box Office on BBC Three Counties Radio, The Download on BBC Radio Oxford, The Friday Session on BBC Hereford and Worcester, Raw Talent on BBC Radio Humberside and The Weekender on BBC Radio Nottingham proved popular there was interest in developing a more coherent structure and brand for new music on the BBC.[3]
In September 2010 all BBC local radio shows that had not re-named themselves as part of the 'Introducing' were re-branded.[4]
BBC Introducing has hosted a stage at Glastonbury every year since 2007. The 2011 incarnation featured Ed Sheeran, F-Block, The Good Natured, Sharks Took the Rest, Vessels and Shammi Pithia, amongst others.
With most BBC Local Radio stations now featuring an Introducing show, the music team at BBC Radio 1 are seeking to make use of the local knowledge available across the corporation. In essence the national station has access to local experts across the country who are able to act as a filter and recommend artists for national attention. For big events, such as the BBC Introducing stage at the Glastonbury festival, local show producers submit acts for consideration to a central panel.[5]
During February 2009, an upload tool was launched on the BBC Introducing website to allow users to upload their music direct to BBC Introducing producers and presenters.[6] Artists/bands enter their postcode at the point of registering and notifications about any songs they upload are sent to BBC staff working on their nearest Introducing radio show, as well as their choice of national show on BBC Radio 1, BBC 6 Music, BBC Radio 1Xtra or BBC Asian Network.[7]
All material submitted to the BBC Introducing brand via the upload tool is classified by the BBC as User Generated Content (UGC),[8] and they encourage[9] users to read the Corporation's Terms of Use[10] in relation to UGC before uploading material.
The upload tool was the subject of a complaint to the BBC Trust from a commercial organisation Amazing Tunes that had launched a similar service in 2005. Amazing Tunes provides the musical content for a UK national digital radio station, Amazing Radio. The complaint described the BBC upload mechanism as "to all intents and purposes a direct copy of our privately funded concept". The BBC disputed this description, but advised artists to "explore all the avenues open to them."[11]
The Ting Tings credit 'BBC Introducing' for bringing them to the attention of the UK public through its TV coverage of Glastonbury Festival in 2007.[12] BBC Introducing has also assisted acts such as Florence and the Machine,[13] The Temper Trap, Chipmunk,[14] Marina and the Diamonds and Stornoway[15] reach a larger market.
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