The ol’ Beeb has something snazzy in mind for their new music streaming service. The whole idea seems to take off from their Playlister platform, which allows you to tag and bookmark songs from any BBC TV or radio show you’re currently checking out (obviously this whole thing is a U.K.-centric deal). The company is talking about expanding the Playlister’s capabilities to encompass a full-on streaming service that would make extensive use of a crucial item: exclusive content.
The BBC archives are overflowing with decades and decades of exclusive live performances by every kind of artist imaginable, and it looks like these would for the bulk of the proposed player’s offerings.
“We have developed a digital music proposal with the music industry, which builds on BBC Music’s Playlister. It would make the 50,000 tracks the BBC broadcasts every month available to listen online, for a limited period,” said BBC Director General Tony Hall. “Audiences would be able to access this music via playlists curated by the BBC, and they would be able to build their own playlists based on the music they hear and love on the BBC.”
Hall added: “Exclusive and unique live performances would be a big part of our service, whether it’s a Live Lounge, a performance from Radio 1’s Big Weekend, or a forgotten gem from our classical archive. Tracks will also link back to their original broadcast on the BBC, enabling audiences to discover more long-form radio and television programming.”
As mentioned, though, the BBC isn’t really looking to horn in on on Spotify, Tidal or Apple Music territory — their service would include a much smaller number of tracks and would concentrate more on crafty curation (and of course exclusive tracks) than on a comprehensive catalog. Still, it’s an intriguing idea, so let’s see how it all shakes out. And in case you’re wondering when this service might see the light of day, well, no launch date has yet to be announced.