Boom Radio is asking listeners to complain to the BBC and write to their MPs in a bid to stop the corporation launching a rival service.
Boom Radio, created by Phil Riley and David Lloyd, says the new Radio 2 extension sounds remarkably like its own service.
The new un-named service is described as “providing a distinctive take on pop nostalgia, diving into the music and unique BBC archive primarily from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s”
Boom says: “We feel this sounds remarkably like Boom Radio – yet the BBC suggests that there’s no other station like it. They are wrong. When they mention the music to be played on the new station, Boom Radio plays every artist listed, although we play more variety than they will!
“They mention speech – yet we have broadcast much similar material; and presenters “who shaped the cultural landscape of our time” – just like Boom’s!”
Boom Radio adds that the new service will reduce income, and could take current and potential listeners away.
When quizzed over this, Lorna Clarke, Director of BBC Music, said: “Our extensions will allow listeners to deep-dive into more pop and classical genres and periods of music they love the most, uniquely created by the BBC. They’ll get a deeper listening experience than what’s available elsewhere, hear brilliant storytelling through our extensive archive, and discover more music to love whatever their mood.”
In conversation with Phil Riley on the BBC Radio 4 Media Show(approx 20 min in), Lorna added that there is room for everyone, and that the new Radio 2 service would be completely different to Boom Radio.
Boom added: “Whilst many of us support the BBC’s excellence in many areas, we do not feel it should be investing licence fee payers’ money in creating a very similar radio station in a way which could seriously damage Boom. We are thoroughly puzzled about spending money on this when the BBC has chosen to seriously reduce BBC local radio services.”