BBC launches monthly videogame show on Radio One

Hosted by Julia Hardy, each episode will focus on discussion around a specific game.

Cassandra Khaw – Jan 28, 2016 12:46 pm | 13

Beginning March 11, gamers across the United Kingdom will be able to enjoy a new monthly Radio One show. According to MCV, the upcoming programme—called The Radio One Gaming Show—will focus on discussion around a specific video game every episode. There will also be “games previews, exclusive first looks at new titles, and catch-ups with new releases in development,” all of which will be presented by the inimitable Julia Hardy.

A seasoned presenter and gaming personality, London-based Hardy conducted interviews during BBC Three’s recent coverage of the League of Legends World Championships quarter-finals, and has also worked on a Radio One Stories documentary called Rockstar Gamers, which looked at youths who aim to make a living through video games. On top of her other work, she also operates the hilarious Misogyny Monday, a Tumblr created in defiance of the sexism she has had to endure in the line of duty.

“Radio One has wanted to do video games for a very long time,” the BBC’s head of visual radio Joe Harland told MCV, noting that games were very difficult to get right, particularly with audio-only mediums. He then added that the “young gaming audience” wants programmes about individual titles.

“You want to make specific programmes about specific titles, creating content for specific types of gamer. What we don’t want to do is go out and say ‘this is a show for literally every gamer,’ because I don’t think it’s possible to do something so broad. What we’re doing is a monthly programme that can excite specific types of gamer.”

The Radio One Gaming Show won’t be BBC’s first flirtation with providing specialised videogame-related content, having previously created a factual drama centred around the development of Grand Theft Auto.

There are also productions such as the Game On podcast, which has been operating for several years now. Prior to being assimilated into the popular Let’s Talk About Tech podcast, it ran during the late graveyard shift, although that didn’t stop it receiving a Game Media Award nomination last year.