BBC Radio 1Xtra announces results of commissioning round

BBC Radio 1Xtra today announces the result of its recent commissioning round.

Following a competitive tendering process, radio production company Somethin’ Else has been awarded contracts to produce the station’s brand-new late-night specialist shows presented by CJ Beatz, Cameo, Crissy Criss, Robbo Ranx, Semtex and Edu. 

The contracts for these shows were opened to the independent production sector as part of the BBC Audio & Music’s commitment to have a 10% independent production quota by 2012/13. 

Radio 1Xtra in-house production has won the contract to produce Seani B’s new show for the station. The contract for this was run as part of the WOCC (Window Of Creative Competition) which sees in-house and independent productions both able to pitch to produce shows. 

Piers Bradford, Commissioning Editor, said: “We were really impressed with pitches both from in-house and the independent sector. In-house production will bring a wealth of strength, expertise and creativity to Seani B’s new show. 

“The proposals put forward by Somethin’ Else for the new shows were really exciting including their commitment to showcase a range of new specialist music DJs, artists and bloggers in the final hour of each of the shows. This will make sure Radio 1Xtra continues to remain at the cutting edge of developing new talent.”

Chloe Straw, Executive Producer, Somethin’ Else, said: "We are absolutely delighted to be taking on the specialist shows for Radio 1Xtra. Specialist music has been at the heart of what we do at Somethin' Else for the last 20 years and we are thrilled to be continuing the tradition with a strand of really exciting shows on a network that we love."

Rhys Hughes, Head of Programmes, Radio 1 and Radio 1Xtra, said: "We are really pleased to be producing Seani B’s new 1Xtra show. Seani is a fantastic presenter with a great track record at the station and we are looking forward to continuing this.” 

All of the new programmes will launch in the first week of September as part of Radio 1Xtra’s new schedule. 

(Source : BBC Media Centre)