BBC Radio has launched a new service combining all its Asian programming across the country as one weekly podcast.

Desi Download is a new weekly service, presented by actor Kulvinder Ghir, which takes snippets from Asian programmes across local BBC Radio stations. It is being billed as a half-hour ‘pick of the week’ featuring community Asian programming.

The BBC has around 20 programmes across BBC Local Radio catering for British Asians – all the way from BBC West Midlands to Lancashire, Stroke, Bristol, Derby and Leeds.

Popular programmes include Midlands Masala by Satnam Rana on BBC WM on Sunday nights, Bhagwant Sagoo on Three Counties Radio, Talat-Farooq Awan on BBC Radio Lancashire, and Shawkat Hashmi on Radio Sheffield every Saturday night.

Desi Download will be published as a podcast every Tuesday with snippets from across the country.

A spokesperson from the BBC told AIM magazine: “Even though there is an Asian Network – there is nowhere else on UK radio where local community issues can be discussed and good practice shared, talent and achievements celebrated across the various local communities.”

“The radio programme provides a vital link between communities across England. ”

Desi Download was launched in April.