BBC Asian Network to be axed according to the Times

[a.c.]

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/media/article7041944.ece

The BBC will close two radio stations, shut half its website and cut spending heavily on imported American programmes in an overhaul of services to be announced next month.

Mark Thompson, the Director-General, will admit that the corporation, which is funded by the £3.6 billion annual licence fee, has become too large and must shrink to give its commercial rivals room to operate.

In a wideranging strategic review, he will announce the closure of the digital radio stations 6 Music and Asian Network and introduce a cap on spending on broadcast rights for sports events of 8.5 per cent of the licence fee, or about £300 million.

Discussions on BizAsia http://media247.co.uk/bizasia/newsarchive/2010/02/reports_bbc_asi.php

And on Twitter if you search '#asiannetwork'

Also some people commenting on our blog:

http://www.mixtogetherandfriends.org/asian-media/asian-network-faces-axe-after-tinkering-fails-to-impress/

[saffron]

 Ive just seen a report on the  BBCTV National news this lunchtime on the Asian Network being under threat.

The BBC  have refused to comment on the asian network being under threat of closure.

I have noticed in the last month on listening to the radio station ,that alot of effort is being made on all the programmes of the asian network, with new ideas to generate both public calling in, to keeping people entertained.


Is this due to cuts or is it to do with the falling figures? If its the falling figures....then why would the bbc want to refuse to listen to our proposals for a programme for mixed communities?

Are the BBC only interested in figures? If thats the case...our programme proposal wont be a hit...because convincing them of figures will not be seen favourably....but showing them the worth of this move for mixed communties now and into the future needs to be plugged again and again...

What do you think ac?

Ask for a meeting with the BBC with a large group of us and We will look at support from JS?

[a.c.]

Yes Saffron, I think there will be an opportunity for us to meet with them, if we can guarantee JS involvement.

They will not scrap all Asian content, but will have to re-think it. This is the greatest opportunity in a generation to influence what the future Asian content will look like.

If we don't make our voices heard now, we only have ourselves to blame for missing the train!

[saffron]

 We will need to generate  interested people...not just us....and if they will commit to being there. I will do the enquiry with JS, Timing is important. Can you find out anymore about when these changes will be? Is there any bidding that we are  need to be aware of?

 We will need to talk about How this is done..please email me initially .

[a.c.]

No worries let's talk this weekend.

They had Avtar Lit of Sunrise Radio on Nihal's show. Got him very much on the back foot about the lack of social issues discussed on Sunrise, so i think there may even be some scope there too.

[chweetgurl]

Its now on BBC as well http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8538130.stm

There are very few asian channels in this country compared to USA.I am gutted they are stopping this radio channel.

Like Saffron's suggestion we could give it a shot in one of the shows before they shutdown asian network.

I was thinking if there would be possibility of a proposing a documentry on other tv channels like channel 4 or ITV for Mixtogether along with Karma Nirvana by JS's backing it would be a strong proposal and also it would voice KM's fund cause.Only a suggestion  

[saffron]

Hello.. Busy weekend, had a friend stay with me so havn't had time to look in.

Well...We will initially need to keep on track with whats happening with the radio station, and if there is any milage in them relooking at AC's proposal again...

It would be great to keep the links going on here in the news on asian net...thankyou Chweetgurl for the one below..I will have a look at this now.

[a.c.]

Have a read of my latest blog post:

http://www.mixtogetherandfriends.org/asian-media/will-the-saveasiannetwork-campaign-welcome-honour-campaigners/

We can try to get in with Bobby Friction and others who are campaigning to save the AN.

Failing that we can see what the official BBC stance is next month and whether they are looking to split the network up into smaller pieces.

I think part of the reason they are closing it is because they have had so much faction fighting: the Muslims have complained about discrimination, Sikhs have complained about Muslim coverage, Hindus have complained, we have complained...! No wonder they feel nervous  

[saffron]

I think that is a great way forward AC. I have spoken to JC before the text you sent.

I think the main thing is before I approach her again...we need to plan

1. If Bobby is prepared to see us and talk with a group of the mixed community. when approx can he do this?

2. The mixed community on here willing to support the idea show interest in attending the meeting...we will need to fix a number of people we want to attend.

3. Can you ..ac...submit the proposal again to the BBC as soon as possible...again...asking for a meeting with mixed couples/families?

4.We need to remain positive and refrain from pointing out that they are bound to fail if they dont respond to us....we will otherwise be seen as super critical rather than willing to work on a positive production/idea.

The in fighting..faction fighting is so typical of many asian organisations, I am sad to hear this...but we clearly have a focus of being united in our aims, and the divide between the communities is not apparent on MT..we believe in one community...and we wont entertain fighting over religion or caste issues.


Will look at the link now ac...

[a.c.]

Saffron I think we should deal with Bobby Friction first because he is organising now.

The BBC have not yet made any OFFICIAL statement on Asian Network. Before we approach them again we need to see what their official proposal is.

I have addressed your point (4)....

[chweetgurl]

Its a great idea, Approaching Bobby Friction first sounds more appropraite, i offer my full support if needed anywhere 

[saffron]

  Is it better to wait and than find that decisions are made to not welcome any new ideas...or is it better to put forward a possible alternative to keeping some sections of the network reflecting the real issues?
Im just cocerned that we might miss the boat if the the BBC decide they will welcome no further new ideas inside the AN....  

Is there going to be an official proposal? I wasn't sure that this was really going to happen...

Bobby Friction is still important and worth persuing asap.

[a.c.]

The BBC wouldn't even comment on the reports (what a joke- they said the reports were 'speculation'!)

They have obviously made a decision, and if we go in prematurely they could just bounce us back.

I don't know the right approach to be honest...

I can say for sure that on other websites people have been scathing about the BBCAN management, meaning Vijay Sharma. I think she will have to go before anything new can be done.

What do you think? Should we write now? If so, who do we write to??

[saffron]

Im going to ask Bobby to see if he will meet a group of us...we will have to organise  all together for this...I dont know if I will get a reply but as soon as I know I will let you all know.

AC...could you put the original proposal that MT had for asian network on again..so people old and new are refreshed about the ideas again...

[chweetgurl]

Fingers crossed i hope Bobby friction responds to our proposal