Saturday, November 27, 2010

Official Response from the BBC

Thank you for contacting us about the decision to end the world music programme presented by DJ Ritu on BBC London 94.9.

This was a difficult decision and was made after many months of careful consideration.

BBC London 94.9 is a speech-based service for London with news, sport, information and conversation at the core of our BBC local service commitment.

More than 90 per cent of our output each week is speech-led, with six hours each morning and five hours each evening devoted to all-speech news, debate and sport.

The overwhelming majority of our listeners tune to BBC London 94.9 for news, information and conversation.

We also have speech-led programmes which cover London's culture, entertainment and music, notably Robert Elms, Danny Baker and Gary Crowley who are renowned for their knowledge of music and London music in particular.

DJ Ritu's programme will be replaced by a programme presented by two London Asian presenters, Sunny and Shay Grewel, who will cover the diversity of life in London, including its music. This programme will reflect our remit for London.

Music will continue to be part of our programme output; our music will continue to be drawn from a wide range of genres and cultures; our presenters already reflect the vast range of music in London. However, we believe it is vital to make those programmes as accessible as possible and our programmes and choices reflect that.

World music is just one aspect of cultural life in London and is already well catered for by the BBC through programmes on Radio 3 and the World Service.

I know as a supporter of Ritu's programme you are disappointed that it is to end, but I hope that you will take the opportunity to enjoy the BBC's other world music programmes which I list below.

Best regards,

David Robey
Managing Editor
BBC London 94.9


BBC Radio 3
A major new world music series presented by Andy Kershaw called Music Planet begins Thursday 13 January and runs for 8 weeks.

World Routes presented by Lucy Duran every Saturday at 15.00

World On 3 at 23.15 every Friday night.

Discover more about our World Music programmes including extensive archive here http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/worldmusic/

BBC Radio 3 also has a stage at WOMAD every year and is the exclusive national broadcaster at WOMAD.

BBC World Service
World of Music, presented by Mark Coles.  In the UK: Sat 2332;  rpt Sun 1332 (unless we run a debate); Mon 0332 GMT.  See link below for more details.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0086vxp

BBC 6 Music
World music is often featured in the Cerys Matthews show (Sunday, 10am-12pm).

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