"Expect a very deep dive into South Asian music"
BBC Asian Network’s Bobby Friction will be at the helm of a brand-new specialist music show, launching in April 2025.
Moving from his current weekday show, Bobby’s new show will broadcast weekly and will bring specialist music, entertainment and exclusive soundtracks to audiences across the UK.
Alongside the new show, three new weekday programmes will launch on the network.
These programmes will be fronted by Asian Network presenters (6 pm – 8 pm, Monday-Wednesday), with more details to follow in 2025.
Over the past 19 years, Bobby Friction has presented numerous shows across the network, bringing listeners the best new British Asian songs and South Asian music from around the world.
Since joining BBC Asian Network, Bobby has hosted the Saturday afternoon Album Chart Show, presented the weekly nightly Friction show, his own Drivetime show, and his current show, which broadcasts every Monday to Wednesday from 6 pm to 8 pm.
The DJ said: “I’m really looking forward to the next phase of my work with Asian Network.
“It’s been nearly 20 years since I started, and I still feel as fresh and as creative as my first day.
“Expect a very deep dive into South Asian music from across the planet with this new show.”
Ahmed Hussain, Head of BBC Asian Network, added:
“Bobby Friction is a huge part of the Asian Network family and will continue to be a pivotal part of the network.
“I look forward to hearing the energy and vibes Bobby brings to his new music show in 2025!”
The announcement comes after it was revealed that BBC Asian Network’s news would be among numerous news and current affairs services set to be axed as part of a £24 million cost-cutting drive.
The closures are part of a wider BBC plan to cut 500 jobs across the corporation by March 2026 to create a total of £700 million in annual savings relative to 2022.
It would see 185 roles closed in BBC news and current affairs teams, and 55 new roles opened.
BBC Asian Network’s news service includes The Ankur Desai Show, 60 Minutes and Asian Network News Presents.
These and 18 associated posts will be closed.
Instead, the station will begin airing Newsbeat bulletins which are also used on Radio 1 and 1Xtra.
Outgoing NUJ general secretary Michelle Stanistreet said the new cuts “represent a damaging assault on journalism and news at a time when the UK needs greater plurality and diversity of news and trust in journalism is under attack at home and abroad”.
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