BBC gives new focus to music: chief underlines backing for UK acts.(Radio)

The BBC has vowed to step up its commitment to music, as it introduces the first music strategy in the history of the corporation.

The music strategy was one of several initiatives announced by BBC director general Mark Thomspon last week, designed to reshape the BBC for the digital age.

It is to pioneer ways to deliver musical content on new platforms such as mobile phones and is also aiming to synchronise the huge amount of musical content offered across its radio and TV networks and in its online services.

The drafting of the strategy was overseen by BBC director of radio and music Jenny Abramsky, with support from Radio Two controller Lesley Douglas, among others.

Abramsky spoke exclusively to Music Week last week--her interview is also the subject of the first Music Week Podcast--explaining that one of the guiding principles of the strategy is a commitment to new and UK music.

"The BBC is absolutely endorsing the fact that music is at the heart of its public service remit," says Abramsky. "It's giving it a very central role for the future"

On Radios One, Two and Three, the BBC has been monitoring musical output to ensure a sufficient proportion is new and of UK origin and ...