In a precedent-setting move, BBC Radio 1 — the United Kingdom’s state broadcaster youth brand — will offer the entire radio industry access to its Presenter Uploader talent search tool. The Uploader emerged during the Christmas Presenter Takeover Search — developed by the coding team behind BBC Music Introducing, which provides a portal for musicians to upload their music directly to the broadcaster’s producers and music schedulers.
The Presenter Uploader makes it easier for young presenters to upload their demos to a space accessed by producers, editors and industry professionals who can help them realize their dream of becoming “the next big radio superstar.” BBC Radio 1 will make the tool accessible via the Radio Academy website.
Aled Haydn-Jones, Head of BBC Radio 1, says: “I’m so proud of this initiative and believe it will be a game-changer for young people with big dreams of becoming the next Greg James or Clara Amfo.” He added, that many of the talent identified in the Christmas Presenter Takeover Search now have permanent shows on the BBC radio network. “I can’t wait to launch this on an industry-wide scale,” Haydn-Jones added, “and hope it will be the catalyst to kick-start the careers of the next generation of radio superstars!”
BBC Radio 1 is already in negotiations with commercial radio partners.