The BBC Asian Network, which has been in revamp mode since last month will from Monday (15th May) roll out phase two of its proposed changes.

Phase two of the transformation includes a radical makeover of the daytime schedule, including current Drive presenter being shifted to a new afternoon show starting from 12:30. 'Nikki Bedi on the BBC Asian Network’ will focus on the best of British and world Asian culture in the arts and entertainment world.

The show will include top guests, and feature the daily soap Silver Street. Guests for launch week include music producer Rishi Rich, Father Ted’s Ardal O’Hanlon, Gordon Ramsay, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, actress/comedian Nina Wadia, stand up comic Sodhi Funabi, Indian Idol winner Abhijeet Sawant, Britain’s Eurovision hopeful Daz Sampson, authors Gautam Malkhani & Nirpal Singh Dhallwal, Poet Imiiaz Dhorkar and Radio 1 DJ Nihal.

At 16:00, a new Drive show is being introduced with presenter Adil Ray. ‘Adil Ray on the BBC Asian Network’ will include a mix of journalism and the best of music and entertainment.

Also in daytime, a 30-minute news capsule in the shape of 'The Wrap' will air from 12:00 - 12:30.

The new weekday Hindi-Urdu programme 'Gagan Grewal on the BBC Asian Network’, offers a much younger tone and appeal, with the best of news, views, discussion and celebrity interviews in Hindi-Urdu with former Breakfast presenter Gagan Grewal.

Weekly features will include Hollywood and Bollywood movie reviews by showbiz specialist Pablo, regular advice from agony uncle Chacha Ji, ‘A week in the life of...”, will look at the lives of prominent British Asian celebrities, a weekly competition ‘Translate a track’ and interviews with top guests including Bollywood star Aamir Khan and England and Worcestershire cricketer Kabir Ali.

The daily languages show ‘Regional Languages’ (2000 - 2200) offers programmes in Mirpuri, Bengali, Gujarati, Punjabi and Hindi/Urdu.

DJ Bobby Friction will make the BBC Asian Network 'the true home of British Asian music', hosting the stations new cutting edge late night music show ‘Friction on the BBC Asian Network’- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 2200- 0100, offering the best of new British Asian music both signed and unsigned, covering the blurred edges between Desi Beats and other music genres.

Confirmed guests for the launch week include V Double E (Vishal Gopal), Juttla, Rukkus, Raxstar and Felix from Basement Jaxx who will talk about his forthcoming projects and confirm whether rumours that Basement Jaxx may be recording with Hindi singer Reena Bhardwaj for their next album are true.

On Wednesdays the late night music comes from 'The Hype show with DJ Kayper'. Turntablist extraordinaire, DJ Kayper mixes and scratches beats from Hip Hop to Bhangra to Dancehall. Kayper also showcases the best in new British talent, giving unsigned music makers the chance to get their beats heard.

Also changes taking place from this weekend will see former EastEnders star Ameet Channa move from the current 10:00 Sunday Soundtrack show to the midday Sunday 'Breakdown' programme. ZEE Music presenter Murtz Ali will permanently takeover the Sunday Soundtrack show.

Phase three of the BBC Asian Network changes will see an overhaul of the weekend schedule. Phase three will come into effect from Saturday 10th June.

On 24th April, the BBC Asian Network kick start its changes with Sonia Deol taking over 'Breakfast' and Anita Rani moving to the discussion show.

On Thursday last week, the BBC Asian Network saw only a 7,000 increase in listeners in the quarter ending March 2006. However, this period does not include the new schedule changes.

Related links:
RAJAR results: Sunrise tops in listenership, dips elsewhere
Three phases for revamped Asian Network rollout