What is BBC Music? All-star God Only Knows video unveiled
Famous spread of musicians help launch BBC Music but what does this mean for BBC audiences?
Sir Elton John, One Direction and Pharrell Williams are among the stars to feature in a new Beach Boys cover, used to launch a new "initiative" called BBC Music.
The God Only Knows video, reminiscent of BBC's 1997 Perfect Day track, features 27 artists, including Brian May on the guitar, Florence Welch standing in a colourful jungle and Kylie Minogue in a large CGI bubble.
The ensemble of musicians – dubbed The Impossible Orchestra – was revealed in a unique broadcasting moment at 8pm last night when nearly all of the BBC's television, radio and online networks debuted the track.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The broadcaster refers to BBC Music as an "initiative" or "strategy" designed to strengthen the BBC's place as a "world leader in music broadcasting and commissioning". It also has the ambitious aim of "enhancing the UK's position as a world leader in music creation and performance".
But what does this mean in practical terms? Here are five examples of what BBC Music is doing:
Ten Pieces
In June the BBC unveiled Ten Pieces, a project aimed at bringing classical music into primary schools. This includes online resources, such as lesson plans about classical composers and printable music arrangements that can be played by school orchestras. There are also events planned throughout the school year, including live concerts in 2015.
Help for new artists
BBC Introducing website, which has been around for seven years, allows unsigned musicians to upload their best tracks with the aim of being played on one of the broadcaster's radio shows or performing at a BBC Introducing festival. With the launch of BBC Music, the BBC Introducing team has partnered up with the National Skills Academies and PRS for Music Foundation to widen access to the music industry.
BBC Playlister
BBC Music also has plans to develop its digital music service BBC Playlister. This allows users to create a playlist of music they have heard on BBC radio or television online. By clicking an orange 'Playlister Button' when it appears, users can create a playlist and send it to Spotify, iTunes, YouTube or Deezer to hear the songs in full.
BBC Music Awards
The first ever BBC Music Awards will take place on 11 December, hosted by Fearne Cotton and Chris Evans at Earls Court. It will feature live performances and awards such as British Artist of the Year, International Artist of the Year and Song of the Year.
More BBC music programmes
The BBC will be showing more prime-time music shows, including a new music slot on The One Show and several documentaries on the history of music for BBC Two. The channel is also working on a documentary series covering 100 years of music.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Voters know Biden and Trump all too well'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Is the Gaza war tearing US university campuses apart?
Today's Big Question Protests at Columbia University, other institutions, pit free speech against student safety
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
DOJ settles with Nassar victims for $138M
Speed Read The settlement includes 139 sexual abuse victims of the former USA Gymnastics doctor
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Aitch or haitch: the linguisitic debate that 'matters a lot'
Talking Point 'University Challenge' host Amol Rajan has promised to change the way he pronounces the letter 'H'
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The Secret Army: the IRA propaganda film forgotten for almost 50 years
Why Everyone's Talking About 'Chilling' BBC documentary reveals how US TV crew documented the inner workings of paramilitary group in 1970s
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Inseparable Sisters: uplifting BBC documentary about conjoined twins
The Week Recommends A 'refreshingly human and optimistic' portrayal that balances reality with positivity
By The Week UK Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Annie Nightingale obituary: the trailblazing DJ who was Radio 1's longest-serving presenter
Obituary The first female DJ on BBC Radio 1, Nightingale paved the way for Annie Mac, Jo Whiley, Zoe Ball, Sara Cox and many more
By The Week Staff Published
-
Doctor Who: 60 years of time-travelling tomfoolery
Why Everyone's Talking About Special episodes celebrate show's past as Whovians look forward to new seasons ahead
By Julia O'Driscoll, The Week UK Published
-
Jimmy Savile: is The Reckoning a dramatisation too far?
Talking Point Steve Coogan's BBC series deemed a 'lurid story told mainly for ratings'
By The Week Staff Published
-
Henpocalypse! review: ‘bawdy’ BBC Two comedy set in remote Wales
The Week Recommends It may be ‘a bit coarse’ but the characters become more likeable as the series goes on
By The Week Staff Published