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BBC Radio 4's digital challenge day

2013-06-14T09:31:35+00:00

At Radio 4 we are constantly seeking new and innovative ways of using digital communications to engage audiences. We have recently been shining a light on the rich Radio 4 archive with Cultural Exchange and user generated content with the Sony Award nominated The Listening Project.

But where next? That’s where you may come in.

Radio 4 have teamed up with the BBC’s Digital Lab, which formed earlier this year to drive digital marketing innovation and together with BBC experts and those from the industry we want to tackle some of the big challenges of how Radio 4 can do more for new audiences via digital communication.

We will be hosting a one-day hack-style event, held on BBC premises, employing the talents of both internal and external experts. It will be a great opportunity to meet senior BBC staff and to learn a bit more about how the BBC and Radio 4 operate.

At the start of the day teams will be presented with three exciting digital challenges; how to encourage new audiences to discover R4’s digital offer, how to create greater advocacy amongst listeners and how to start building daily listening habits. Teams will choose which challenge they want to work on – and then present ideas to the BBC judging panel at the end of the day. The winning idea will be chosen with the aim to implement it in the coming months.

The event takes place on Friday 12th July from 8:30 – 17:00. This event is open to professionals and we anticipate high demand for the day. To secure your place please tell us how you would answer the following challenge in no more than 100 words:

How can we use digital communications to either encourage new audiences to discover R4’s digital offer, to create greater advocacy amongst existing listeners or to start building daily listening habits?

Please send your answers or any questions about the event to the Digital Lab natalie.charlton@bbc.co.uk. If you are planning to participate as a group we ask that you put together a team of no more than 4 people and inform us in advance of names and area of expertise. Closing date for entries is Friday 28th June.

And as with any event like this – here’s the small print: If selected to participate in the event you will be subject to BBC terms and conditions which will be provided upon your confirmation as an attendee. Each selected participant will be entitled to a nominal fee for their attendance details of which will be provided upon your confirmation as an attendee.

We hope to see you there!

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New digital programmes - and a new name for Radio 7

2011-03-01T13:38:51+00:00

Today we announced a series of new programmes which will be appearing on our digital radio stations. Also, we confirmed that we are changing the name of BBC Radio 7 to BBC Radio 4 Extra in April. You can find all the details in the press release.

Some people have questioned why we are altering a much-loved service: is this just unnecessary management tinkering? Firstly, let me offer a few words of reassurance. Radio 4 Extra will not be fundamentally different to Radio 7. The vast majority of the programming will remain much-loved archive productions, and we will continue to focus on comedy, drama and entertainment rather than offering news or current affairs...

Continue reading this post on the BBC Radio blog...

Tim Davie is Director of Audio & Music

The picture shows Roy Plomley and his guest Noel Coward on the occasion of the twenty-first anniversary of Desert Island Discs in 1963. Coward had been on the list of guests drawn up by Plomley when he devised the programme in 1941.