The Rolling Stones influenced generations of musicians

The BBC's radio archive of concerts and music interviews will be raided to develop a station focussing on the music that helped shape contemporary popular culture.

Digital radio has yet to capture the imagination of the public but 30% of the population are predicted to have access by 2006.

The five stations are:

• A black music and news station aimed at young people

• A popular culture music station based around the BBC's radio archive, with music from performers including Neil Young, Roxy Music, REM, Radiohead and Van Morrison

• A speech service offering drama and comedy for adults and children

• A live sports station, 5 Live Sports+, extending coverage offered by Radio 5 Live and Radio 4.

• A national Asian network serving Asian communities with speech and music, based on the existing Asian Network operation in the Midlands

The stations will be available via digital radio sets, which remain expensive, digital satellite and cable and the internet.

The BBC's World Service will also be broadcast using these platforms.

We want to champion UK-produced black music

Jenny Abramsky, director of BBC Radio

Jenny Abramsky, Director of BBC Radio and Music, said: "The digital future is as important for radio as it is for television.

"All five services will build on the BBC's commitment to live performance, original programming and the championing of talent."

The BBC has recorded some of the key concerts from bands such as The Beatles and the Rolling Stones and influential performers such as David Bowie.

Ms Abramsky said the black music station would be aimed at young people.

"It will feature R'n'B, hip hop and newer genres like UK garage.

"We want to champion UK-produced black music like UK garage in the way that The Dreem Teem are doing on Radio 1 on Sunday mornings."

Development of the new station will be headed by Radio 1 controller Andy Parfitt.

Radio 2 boss Jim Moir will look after the popular culture station, while his Radio 4 counterpart Helen Boaden will lead the speech service.