Potential global reach of One World Radio
Global reach is something we have at One World Radio. It’s actually the Netflix of radio, as opposed to the BBC. I can’t speak to someone in Argentina and say, “Did you see that BBC documentary the other day?”
Whereas if you listen to One World Radio, it’s international. “Were you listening to One World Radio on Tuesday when they did the Magical 500?” And anyone in the world could say yes. There’s nothing else like that right now in radio, as far as I’m aware. Sirius is behind a paywall in America; other stations aren’t nearly as global.
As a broadcast platform, you can listen to One World Radio on YouTube, through the Tomorrowland app, and we’re spreading out globally. So it’s global, free to access – the reach is ridiculous – it’s literally just about letting people know it’s there now.
Limitations of the BBC
Respectfully, the BBC are in a bubble. They think they’re massive; they think they’re global. But actually, it’s just a UK thing. Everyone from the outside looks in and goes, “Oh, that’s nice. I can’t listen to it.” Culturally, it’s very different, and it’s just not that familiar to most people.
And all the radio presenters and specialist DJs, they don’t really comment on what’s actually happening in the world, or draw their music from other sources. There’s this massive wall that goes from London to Ibiza. If the music doesn’t happen in either of those locations, it stays anonymous – to the point where I’ve tuned out as a listener, because it’s so niche.
For example, Brazil’s popping right now; their music scene is absolutely on fire. But no one’s representing them on Radio One, because the maid didn’t drop it off at the door. As a listener, as a radio presenter, it’s frustrating that the BBC keeps using the same producers. What about: Is Alok playing it? Is Tiesto playing it? Is Mau P playing it? There are no global reference points in the BBC’s music right now.
