This month the BBC will mark 60 Years of South Asian programming with a special night of classic shows on BBC Four and BBC iPlayer, celebrating the past six decades of stories, creativity and culture reflecting the lives of British South Asians across generations.
Since its beginnings in 1965, the BBC has played a vital role in bringing British South Asian stories and voices to audiences across the UK. From early landmark shows such as Make Yourself at Home and Nai Zindagi Naya Jeevan, through to iconic programmes in the 1980s and 90s like Network East, Desi DNA and the trailblazing comedy Goodness Gracious Me, the BBC has been a home for connection, creativity and reflection — widening the space for British South Asian expression.
Today, those voices are woven into the very fabric of BBC output. This year alone, the BBC has made history by broadcasting Eid Live from Bradford and recent dramas, comedies and documentaries sharpen the picture of representation that is integrated with titles such as Amol Goes to the Ganges, crime thriller Virdee to Juice series 2, a brilliant and bold comedy, created by and starring BAFTA-winner Mawaan Rizwan, and children’s animation Nikhil & Jay, showcasing a dual heritage British Tamil family, which has really resonated with young audiences.
South Asian voices are thriving across BBC audio and music. BBC Asian Network’s established presenters Nikita Kanda and Haroon Rashid continue to entertain audiences and fresh voices such as The Traitors’ Jaz Singh bringing new energy to younger listeners. Rima Ahmed, on BBC Radio Leeds and 5 Live, brings sharp interviews and a deep connection to communities while Anita Rani on Woman’s Hour and Romesh Ranganathan on Radio 2 highlight South Asian talent on flagship shows. More recently, the podcast Radical with Amol Rajan on BBC Sounds and Radio 4 has explored themes of innovation and identity, while the Proms showcased a celebrated performance by Anoushka Shankar — a powerful reminder of how South Asian creativity continues to resonate at the heart of the BBC’s cultural offer.
These creative strands converge as fully integrated elements of the BBC’s mission to reflect modern Britain. People from South Asian backgrounds make up approximately 7.5% of the UK population (2021 Census) so it’s important that South Asian voices are represented across news, entertainment, drama, comedy, film, children’s content, music and podcasts – and crucially, behind the camera, in editorial decisions, commissioning and leadership roles.
The BBC’s anniversary celebrations will be a journey through the archives from landmark with Meera Syal taking an affectionate look back at the Asian programming she grew up watching in Network East with Meera Syal and Asian Network DJ Bobby Friction sharing his love and knowledge of South Asian music with a journey back through the archives in South Asian Music at the BBC celebrating some of the genre’s most important, enduring and spectacular acts from across the decades.
Jessica Schibli, BBC Head of Creative Diversity said: “60 years of South Asian programming across the BBC is a significant moment — celebrating pioneering shows that launched trailblazing talent, to today’s bold storytelling woven across our content. This anniversary is a celebration of the journey so far and a reaffirmation of the BBC’s mission to serve all audiences and reflect modern Britain, including South Asian voices on air and in shaping our creative output.”
Looking ahead, South Asian storytelling remains at the heart of the BBC’s creative plans. The upcoming new drama series Film Club launching on 7th October stars Nabhaan Rizwan and explores love, family and friendship. Later this year, Guz Khan will star in a new Christmas comedy Stuffed and The Split Up introduces fresh British South Asian voices to drama and the upcoming BBC Film Hamlet, features Riz Ahmed and Anjana Vasan and presents a contemporary take through a South Asian lens, on Shakespeare’s story.
Be sure to check out www.bbc.co.uk/asian60, because it has photos, videos, interviews and fascinating stories about the 60 years of South Asian Programming across the BBC. It is not to be missed!
