BBC to Mark 60 Years of South Asian Programming with Special Shows

The BBC will celebrate 60 years of South Asian programming with a special night of shows on BBC Four and BBC iPlayer.

The event honours six decades of stories, creativity and culture reflecting the lives of British South Asians across generations.

Since 1965, the BBC has played a key role in bringing British South Asian voices to audiences across the UK.

Early landmark shows such as Make Yourself at Home and Nai Zindagi Naya Jeevan set the tone, followed by iconic 1980s and 1990s programmes including Network East, Desi DNA and the trailblazing comedy Goodness Gracious Me.

These shows provided connection, creativity and reflection, widening the space for British South Asian expression.

Today, South Asian voices are embedded in the BBC’s output.

In 2025, the corporation made history by broadcasting Eid Live from Bradford.

Recent dramas, comedies and documentaries continue to showcase representation, with titles such as Amol Goes to the Ganges, crime thriller Virdee, Juice series two, a bold comedy created by and starring BAFTA-winner Mawaan Rizwan, and children’s animation Nikhil & Jay, which follows a dual heritage British Tamil family and has resonated with young audiences.

South Asian talent is thriving across BBC audio and music.

BBC Asian Network presenters Nikita Kanda and Haroon Rashid remain popular, while fresh voices such as The Traitors’ Jaz Singh bring new energy to younger listeners.

Rima Ahmed on BBC Radio Leeds and 5 Live delivers sharp interviews and community insight, while Anita Rani on Woman’s Hour and Romesh Ranganathan on Radio 2 highlight South Asian talent on flagship shows.

Podcasts such as Radical with Amol Rajan on BBC Sounds and Radio 4 explore innovation and identity, and the Proms recently featured a celebrated performance by Anoushka Shankar, demonstrating how South Asian creativity continues to resonate at the heart of the BBC’s cultural offer.

These strands reflect the BBC’s mission to represent modern Britain.

People from South Asian backgrounds make up around 7.5% of the UK population (2021 Census).

BBC anniversary celebrations will take audiences on a journey through the archives.

Meera Syal will take a look back at the programming she grew up with on Network East, while Asian Network DJ Bobby Friction will explore the history of South Asian music in South Asian Music at the BBC, celebrating key acts from across the decades.

Jessica Schibli, BBC Head of Creative Diversity, said:

“60 years of South Asian programming across the BBC is a significant moment, celebrating pioneering shows that launched trailblazing talent, to today’s bold storytelling woven across our content.

“This anniversary is a celebration of the journey so far and a reaffirmation of the BBC’s mission to serve all audiences and reflect modern Britain, including South Asian voices on air and in shaping our creative output.”

Looking ahead, South Asian storytelling remains central to the BBC’s plans.

The new drama series Film Club, launching on October 7, stars Nabhaan Rizwan and explores love, family and friendship.

Later in 2025, Guz Khan will star in a new Christmas comedy Stuffed.

The Split Up will introduce fresh British South Asian voices to drama, and the upcoming BBC Film Hamlet, featuring Riz Ahmed and Anjana Vasan, will present a contemporary take on Shakespeare’s story through a South Asian lens.