Pop-up digital service offers something Extra from BBC Radio Scotland

BBC Radio Scotland Music Extra is an eight-day pop-up digital service that will broadcast 24 hours a day from November 23-30.

It will showcase Scotland’s richly diverse musical landscape, taking in everything from rock and pop to country, traditional and jazz, while BBC Radio Scotland’s main programming continues as normal.

The Extra schedule will include new content with its own dedicated breakfast, mid-morning and drivetime shows on weekdays, as well as hand-picked programmes from the BBC archive and exclusive live sessions from the likes of Simple Minds and Travis.

Each weekday, Jenny Farish will host the Breakfast Show from 7-9am, followed by Bryan Burnett until noon. Actor and presenter Sanjeev Kohli takes over at Drivetime from 5-6.30pm. Other guest presenters include Bargain Hunt’s Natasha Raskin, Deacon Blue star Ricky Ross, Janice Forsyth and Billy Sloan.

Presenter Jenny Farish says: “I am so thrilled to be involved in this exciting project. It's a great opportunity to offer our audience something a little bit different - to introduce new music alongside some huge favourites. It's the kind of station I would seek out and love as a listener and can't wait for it to start.”

Deacon Blue singer Ricky Ross will be taking listeners on a trip down memory lane. He says: “I’m looking forward to playing the music I grew up with as well as all the Scottish artists who've influenced my own music. Wall-to-wall music and BBC Radio Scotland - now that's a perfect fit.”

Performance will also play an integral part in the pop-up with special segments featuring musical heavyweights including Midge Ure, folk musician John McCusker, award-winning performer and composer Martin Green and former Scottish Album Of The Year winner Kathryn Joseph.

The station’s finale will be a celebration on St Andrew’s night with a specially-commissioned programme featuring students from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Jeff Zycinski, Head of Radio at BBC Scotland, says: “This is a fabulous opportunity for us to celebrate the brilliant music that is made and heard right across Scotland.

“You will hear the familiar, from Americana and classical to country and folk, but the station will also showcase new talent and explore the issues that impact the Scottish music industry.

“It will also give listeners the chance to tell us if they would welcome a station that offers an alternative to BBC Radio Scotland’s successful speech schedule.

“Projects like this shine a light on the exceptional talent on our doorstep.”

BBC Radio Scotland Music Extra will be available on DAB, online and on BBC iPlayer Radio.

JG