American Pop Rules the BBC

Last week, the head of BBC Radio One boasted that fully 30% of the music played on his station is by UK artists. Neil McCormick doesn’t understand what is supposed to be impressive about that. After all, should not the flagship network of Britain have a bit more of a commitment to homegrown music than 3 of every 10 songs? As to Radio One’s claim that it is merely reflecting British preferences for “global music,” McCormick is unmoved. “A quick glance at their playlists will establish that most of the other 70 per cent is accounted for by American releases,” which is not exactly what most listeners would call world music.