The current two-hour Nations show, which features new unsigned, underground and under the radar music is moving from Wednesday night to Sunday night.
In addition, Radio 1 will simulcast one in three of the shows across a Nation and England, and two of the current three presenters are being replaced.
The two new presenters joining Rory McConnell are Ally McCrae in Scotland and Jen Long in Wales.
He says: “I’m beyond excited to be joining Radio 1 and taking the reins of a show that is so vital in promoting the vast amount of cracking Scottish music being produced from this wee country. It’s an honour! I can only hope to bring as much energy, passion and quality as the man himself Vic Galloway has done – the legend.”
Jen is the broadcast assistant on the current Wales show and this is her first presenting role. She says: “I'm incredibly honoured to be taking over the show in Wales and really excited about all the amazing new music I'll get to inflict on people's ears. It's gonna be awesome.”
Ben Cooper, Deputy Controller, BBC Radio 1, says: “The BBC Trust asked us to appeal to the next generation of young audiences, and within that to look for the next generation of new talent – and Ally and Jen are just that.
The changes mean Scotland’s Vic Galloway and Wales’ Bethan Elfyn will leave Radio 1 but will remain in the BBC family with Vic on Radio Scotland and Bethan on Radio Wales.
Vic Galloway says: "It's been an absolute pleasure discovering and playing new music for the last eleven and half years on Radio 1 in Scotland. I've managed to bring Franz Ferdinand, Biffy Clyro, Calvin Harris, Mylo, The Fratellis, Frightened Rabbit and many others to new audiences and I'm proud of that. I've enjoyed every minute of it, but it's time to pass the baton on to Ally McCrae who will do a fine job into the future. I look forward to new challenges elsewhere and continuing with my weekly BBC Radio Scotland shows."
Bethan Elfyn says: “After over eleven years at the helm, I'm sad to say I'll be leaving the post, but happy to see that there are exciting plans for the show and a continued commitment to music from Wales, indeed best of luck to my successor Jen Long whose has a wonderful energy and passion for music. I’m proud of the roll call of bands we've seen come through the studios including Lostprophets, Bullet for My Valentine, Funeral For A Friend, The Blackout, Kids in Glass Houses, Los Campesinos, High Contrast and most surprisingly probably, Duffy. More recently Race Horses, Cate Le Bon, and Islet are all quickly becoming the most talked about bands in Wales.”
Ben Cooper says: “I’d like to thank Vic and Bethan for their passion and commitment to unearthing new music in Scotland and Wales respectively. They’ve made a great contribution to the station and we wish them well for the future.”