BBC Radio 5 Live has commissioned seven new programmes from producers across the north of England as a result of the BBC North Creative Kicker Fund.
Controller Adrian Van Klaveren has also announced that the fund, which provids £40,000 for 5 Live commissions from the north, will also continue for another year.
The new commissions which will be broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Live include:
- A radio drama marking the 25th anniversary of Maradona's Hand of God goal against England in the 1986 World Cup, produced by Made in Manchester
A topical sports comedy programme parodying the traditional post-match TV coverage, written by James Quinn and produced by Savvy Productions
Total Blackout, a documentary looking at the lack of black football managers in the British game by Input Media North
A documentary looking at the work of Streetreach, a Comic Relief funded project supporting young people involved in prostitution in Doncaster, produced by Yorkshire based Pearl Works Productions
The Kids On Hope Street takes a snapshot of family life in the UK hearing from children around the country who live on five different streets called Hope Street – commissioned as part of 5 Live's Family Season from York based Soundscape Productions
A commission from Woolyback Productions with music journalist and commentator John Robb
A documentary made by Manchester based producer Jo Meek following the stories of some of the UK's Lottery winners
Adrian Van Klaveren, said: "I am delighted to see so many different companies across the north contributing to the success of this project. My aim was to help kick start some projects across the region because I want the independent sector in the north to see the great opportunities that MediaCity and the BBC's bigger presence here can bring."
Commenting on the commissioning process, BBC Radio 5 Live Commissioning Editor, Jonathan Wall, said: "This has been a wonderfully creative process; I'm delighted to see such a strong range of ideas from a variety of companies. I really believe we have found some people and ideas that will create some stand-out content for 5 Live."
Peter Salmon, Director, BBC North, added: "The quality of the ideas that came through demonstrates that BBC North's commitment to find new ways to work with indies is paying strong creative dividends. I'm proud that the first radio commissions have been drawn from across genres which underlines the strength of Radio 5 Live's output and I look forward to continuing to foster and encourage a sustainable radio sector in the north."