Adobe StockThousands of people have signed a petition calling on BBC Radio Scotland to reverse its decision to cancel a radio show dubbed a “cultural lifeline”.
The station announced a new weekend late-night schedule on Friday, removing long-standing late-night music programmes, including The Iain Anderson Show, Billy Sloan, and Natasha Raskin Sharp.
Bosses say they will continue BBC Radio Scotland’s commitment to showcasing the best from Scotland’s music industry and unsigned bands through Roddy Hart’s Mixtape, which will air on Saturdays and Sundays.
However, the Scottish Music Industry Association has called for a pause on plans to allow the station to undertake consultation with the sector.
In an open letter signed by Robert Kilpatrick, CEO and creative director of SMIA, he described the changes as an “erosion of a dedicated, culturally rooted space in the schedule where Scottish artists – across a range of genres, backgrounds and career levels – can be discovered, contextualised and championed”.
A petition launched to save The Iain Anderson Show has garnered almost 14,000 signatures and is also calling on BBC Radio Scotland to reconsider its decision.
“For decades, Iain has done more than spin records. He has unearthed new voices, given first airtime to emerging Scottish artists, and threaded songs together with stories, culture, and care”, the petition explains.
“He builds context, not chaos. He creates community, not content.
“Lose the show, and we lose a rare place where Scottish musicians are truly heard – and where listeners discover music that would never reach them otherwise.”
As well a pause on the plans, the SMIA is urging BBC Scotland to set out a clear strategy for how it will meet its public service obligation to represent, support and platform the full breadth of Scottish music and for the station to commit to “maintaining a distinct, nationally recongisable space within its schedule dedicated to Scottish music discovery and development, ensuring Scotland’s diverse creative identity is not diluted through homogenised programming”.
In response to the open letter, a spokesperson for BBC Radio Scotland said: “It’s not unusual for radio stations to undergo changes, particularly in an increasingly competitive audio market and, whilst we understand some audiences may be disappointed, it is important that BBC Radio Scotland continues to listen to audience feedback and evolve its offer.
“Despite recent noise on social media, BBC Radio Scotland announced on Friday the details of our new weekend programmes – Roddy Hart’s Mix Tape will continue our long-held tradition of championing and discovering new music and artists in Scotland and beyond.
“BBC Radio Scotland remains proud to showcase the full breadth of Scotland’s musical talent, from established performers to the next generation of artists, across its schedule.
“From Another Country to Travelling Folk, Take the Floor to Vic Galloway, specialist music has always been a vital part of what we do, alongside our Young Trad, Jazz and Classical Musician and BBC Introducing Artist of the Year awards.
“We remain deeply committed to celebrating it all in our schedule.”
The petition to save The Iain Anderson Show can be viewed online, as well as the SMIA open letter.
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