Interview with Pete Tong

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Your radio show celebrated 15 years of broadcasting this year? How do you keep the show fresh and exciting every week?

Pete: The hunger and the constant quest for new music that is the biggest thing that keeps it fresh. Every year the show always evolves and I have always believed in evolution rather than revolution. If you look at what she show sounded 15 years ago to today it has changed completely. There are more changes this year that are more obvious with the new timeslot of 7pm which has condensed the Friday night show, but I have a new show on a Thursday night as well and I still oversee the Essential mix on Saturday night. Change keeps you hungry, keeps you fresh and the camaraderie within the community with the internet as you are speaking to everyone all the time from all around the world.

Is it still a buzz being there with millions of listeners as they start their weekend?

Pete: Yes of course there is, I wouldn't do it to be honest. It is the biggest fun about doing the R1 show particularly compared to any other kind of radio show you've got one of the biggest network and online listeners which has always been really important to me.

You broadcast to around 2 million people in the uk and worldwide. How does it feel to have achieved such a global following?

Pete: I have been very lucky that I have been left alone for so long being pretty much kept in the same time slot for since I first started in 1991. It's always been about Friday nights and it's always been about starting the weekend. I can't believe it's been 15 years to be honest, but I think it's a huge pay off that I have always held down that slot and it has certainly enhanced its reputation worldwide. I am also proud of it and enjoy it.

You've started a new show on Thursday nights as Part of R1's in music we trust programming. Tell us more about it.

Pete: The BBC have got a general remit to get more involved in new platforms and to get the younger audience to enjoy the output of the BBC in a more modern way. It's getting harder as there is more choice and there is more and more competition and more fractions in terms of the audience and how they enjoy their media. Radio 1 is at the forefront of the BBC and is getting out there and getting amongst it. These shows, of which there are 4 of them and I am doing one are meant to be gateways I suppose, or a one stop shop for all things that are happening in the world of electronic music and dance music. It is a great opportunity for me as they are really getting behind them, they have started really well and I think they will start pushing them more next year once all the legalities have been sorted out about podcasting as the new shows are designed to work first and foremost as a radio show, but they are designed to be enjoyed as shows that can be downloaded to your phone or iPod or MP3 player or to listen to online.

Also See: ilikemusic.com

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