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±«Óãtv Radio 1 today announces that it will strengthen its new music support by showcasing 10 ±«Óãtv Introducing artists on its summer playlist.

During the festival season, Radio 1 is to support a ±«Óãtv Introducing artist every week. Starting on Monday 21 June, with an artist who is performing at the Glastonbury Introducing Stage, the station is committed to supporting one ±«Óãtv Introducing act a week, right though until the Reading and Leeds Festivals at the end of August. This results in 10 full weeks of playlist support for under the radar artists, who are playing a ±«Óãtv Introducing Stage at one of the major summer festivals.

George Ergatoudis, Head of Music, ±«Óãtv Radio 1 & 1Xtra, says: "This is an exciting opportunity, bothÌýfor the acts who will get crucial daytime radio exposure early in their careers, and for the Radio 1 audience, who will get to hear some of the most exciting new artists emerging in the UK right now."Ìý

Jason Carter, Editor, ±«Óãtv Introducing, says: "±«Óãtv Introducing's core commitment is to support new musicians across the UK, with both a direct route to the ±«Óãtv through the uploader, via industry advice online and for some top notch opportunities and exposure. It is fantastic to have Radio 1 offering up regular slots for daytime airplay across the summer months; this will only further enhance the ±«Óãtv's commitment to supporting brand new artists in the UK."

±«Óãtv Introducing artists are currently showcased on Radio 1 in Huw Stephens' show on Wednesdays, 9-10pm and the ±«Óãtv Introducing shows on Wednesdays from midnight until 2am. For the first time, in late 2009, Radio 1 played out tracks from ±«Óãtv Introducing artists in daytime shows and continues to do this at an even increased level this year.

This announcement further strengthens Radio 1's commitment to new music, which also saw an In New Music We Trust playlist being added to the station in January this year. The station now features up to five tracks from new or emerging artists each week, all of themÌýrecommended by Radio 1'sÌýexpert roster of specialist DJs.Ìý

The playlist is already proving extremely successful, with 29 new additions, over of half of which have progressed into the mainstream playlist (C-list and beyond). Three songs from the list have charted in the top 20 – with the highest reaching number 3 (Professor Green). These artists have hugely benefitted from Radio 1's influence over the mainstream and opportunity for a variety of genres.

George Ergatoudis adds: "Radio 1's specialist show presenters have a world class reputation for discovering and nurturing new music and the In New Music We Trust list serves as a clear entry point into daytime for the artists they're most excited about. It's a benchmark of current success and a clear indicator of future potential."

SG