BBC Radio Leeds and BBC Radio 1Xtra are coming together to create a brand new pop-up station this week.
Bradford 1Xtra will broadcast from the West Yorkshire city for 35 hours, beginning on BBC Music Day Thursday 26 September, and be available on DAB in Bradford and online in the rest of the UK.
The new pop-up station will celebrate the best urban music talent from Bradford, Leeds and across the whole of Yorkshire.
Rap, Grime and Hip Hop DJs from BBC Radio 1Xtra will team up with presenters from BBC Radio Leeds’ Evening Shows to target a young, local audience. News bulletins in Breakfast and Drive will cover local as well as national news and will come from Bradford.
Bradford 1Xtra will broadcast from Bradford University Student Union from 7pm on Thursday 26 September through to 6am on Saturday 28 September.
Chris Burns, Head of Audio and Digital, BBC England, said:
“Launching Bradford 1Xtra is the result of a number of different BBC departments coming together, from Design & Engineering and Technology to distribution and digital. This collaboration is an exciting moment for BBC Local Radio. “I’m thrilled BBC Radio Leeds is working with 1Xtra to take content direct to Bradford’s young urban audience as well as showcasing BBC Local Radio to a new generation of listeners.”
Sanjiv Buttoo, Managing Editor of BBC Radio Leeds, says:
“This is very exciting for us as we provide a really different style of programming for a younger audience in a city where local content is key. It’s never been done before and I’m so pleased to see some of Radio Leeds’ existing evening show presenters working alongside some of the UK’s top DJs who can normally be heard on BBC Radio 1Xtra. As you would expect, programmes are being broadcast live from Bradford and it promises to be a great listen!”
Mark Strippel, Head of BBC Radio 1Xtra and BBC Asian Network adds:
“BBC Radio 1Xtra has a strong reputation for reaching young audiences in cities across Britain, so it’s fantastic that we’re collaborating with BBC Local Radio to create something special in Bradford. We are committed to being a creative catalyst and this collaboration brings BBC platforms together to showcase the best creative talent that the city has to offer. Britain’s next big music success story could emerge from Bradford.”
If successful, Bradford 1Xtra will be used as the model for future hybrids to help the BBC mark other big moments around the UK.
BBC Music Day is now in its fifth year and celebrates the power of music to change lives. The theme for 2019 is music and wellbeing, and over 2,000 events across the UK will include pop up performances, interviews, musical takeovers and short films by numerous artists.
Bradford 1Xtra will be available by clicking here from 7pm on Thursday 26 September.