I had a minor run-in with Steve Penk on Twitter. His attack on Simon Mayo is rather hypocritical when, arguably, Penk only got where he is with a feature that had been out of date since the 70s. He also thinks that part of the licence fee should go to commercial radio.
Commercial radio asked for if the licence fee could be shared with them years ago
It does make me wonder why Bob continues to use some of his rather strange choices of cover presenters who must cost a fortune. Kielty should not be let anywhere near a radio studio. Radio 2 surely must be able to cover a week without having to out source.
Strange that I was thinking about Richard Allinson this morning as Sara is Chris's regular cover now. I doubt he'll ever be back on Radio 2 now.
Why does Radio Today keep giving column space to this bitter has-been?
Cause Steve is continuing with the debate how the BBC is funded and there presenters forget its funding by the listeners and a freebie. They don't need sales departments trying to sell airtime to pay for them.
Didn't Sunshine in Hereford and Worcester have him on for a while, some sort of compilation of his wind ups
You're right they did - and I wonder why and when they dropped it. Recent changes suggest an emphasis on old Gold & Luxembourg jocks. Maybe Steve was a stopgap for them.
I have to agree that any valid points regarding funding of BBC Radio he made have been lost in an unwarranted spiteful dig at Simon Mayo.
I haven't heard Steve Penk on the radio, and I do wonder why Radio Today appear keen to publish anything that he comments on.
Is he a bit of a self publicist?
Calling Mayo names is not good. Frankly though I think Mayo is very average... as a music presenter. He was excellent on his daily 5 Live show. He's wasted on music radio.
Regarding Penk's remarks on Radio 2 and the BBC I agree. They are not in the real world. BUT I'd hate the BBC to have commercials. They need to run a leaner ship.
(A big improvement for a start would be to kick out Steve Wright.!)
But that's the point isn't it? It stands head and shoulders above because it has the money so it's not a level playing field. It's like comparing Harrods with Aldi. The licence fee shouldn't go to commercial radio but the debate about the market is valid.
In what way has the budget got to do with having presenters who are constantly engaging and witty?
Yes that's the question. The mystery is to why Penk had to bring Simon Mayo into this, what's he done to upset Penk I wonder.
Money could be easily saved by stopping these ridiculous cover 'presenters' and ensuring regular presenters aren't all off at the same time.
No reason why Sara could have covered for Steve if he'd not been off at the same time as Chris. I'd also drop Feltz, extend specialist shows and docs to 1am then have the Sounds of...., POTP, etc.... Repeats and then bring in Janice or Alex from 3am to 6.30am.
How does that save money? Whether it's Patrick Kielty or Sara Cox covering you still have to pay them.
He hardly landed at Radio 2 by luck, he spent 5 years ion Radio 1 breakfast, 8 years hosting the mid morning slot on Radio 1, a further 9 years hosting a daytime 5live show. Very qualified for a Radio 2 slot and far more experienced than Penk who unless I'm proved wrong was never even good enough to get onto national radio (Commercial or BBC).
As opposed to Steve Penk's career which has a Partridge-like trajectory: local radio, national radio, TV, local radio again, now trying to keep the few people who remember him happy with niche digital stuff.
He only got his last proper radio gig because he bought the station and the thing he's most famous for - the Tony Blair wind up call - wasn't even him!
In what way has the budget got to do with having presenters who are constantly engaging and witty?
The simple answer would be that you tend to be able to hire the best talent! I would say that with the likes of Evans though they're paying much more than market rate.
A lot of the "engaging and witty" stuff on Radio 2 is provided in spades by the audience so they always have stuff to bounce off. Wogan's entire show was prepped by the listeners.
Even your average presenter could do a show on R2 quite easily. In fact, see Anneka Rice for further details. Start your show, ask for a bit of input and there's your links all sorted for you.
How does that save money? Whether it's Patrick Kielty or Sara Cox covering you still have to pay them.
I guess keilty is kept on cause he's does the comedy and country awards so use him to cover wrighty instead of him hanging around the corridors. What else does he do?
I guess keilty is kept on cause he's does the comedy and country awards so use him to cover wrighty instead of him hanging around the corridors. What else does he do?
You are coming across as a little obsessed/jealous of Mr Kielty with all your posts about him.
I guess keilty is kept on cause he's does the comedy and country awards so use him to cover wrighty instead of him hanging around the corridors. What else does he do?
hes married to cat deeley .if i was him i d never leave the house
I don't think it's the commercials that put people off listening to Commercial radio - it's the fact that outside of breakfast every show is the same - very little talking, lots of 3 in a rows, no back announcing of all the songs they have played back to back now, constantly telling us the name of the station, jingles every time they play three in a row. Such a shame that personality radio is over as far as commercial radio is concerned. At least on Radio 2 the presenters are allowed to talk. Sorry Steve - if I want to listen to Bon stop music I will listen to spotify.
I don't think it's the commercials that put people off listening to Commercial radio - it's the fact that outside of breakfast every show is the same - very little talking, lots of 3 in a rows, no back announcing of all the songs they have played back to back now, constantly telling us the name of the station, jingles every time they play three in a row. Such a shame that personality radio is over as far as commercial radio is concerned. At least on Radio 2 the presenters are allowed to talk. Sorry Steve - if I want to listen to Bon stop music I will listen to spotify.
There are lots of people who actually do like that sort of radio, stripped back with lots of music and just enough of a presence from the presenter. A commercial station run like Radio 2 wouldn't last. Just as Radio 2 would cease to be if commercials were introduced. And daytime radio on commercial stations has pretty much been as you describe since the late 1990s with one or two exceptions. It's not really a new thing although networking has killed local content which made stations more unique.
I felt really sad reading that article when I remember his days at Capital. Some of it was cheesy but you'd be sat on the train the next day and you would overhear people talking about his show. That article comes across as bitter.
There are lots of people who actually do like that sort of radio, stripped back with lots of music and just enough of a presence from the presenter. A commercial station run like Radio 2 wouldn't last. Just as Radio 2 would cease to be if commercials were introduced. And daytime radio on commercial stations has pretty much been as you describe since the late 1990s with one or two exceptions. It's not really a new thing although networking has killed local content which made stations more unique.
Unfortunately lots of commercial radio listeners do not remember how good it was when it first started as they are too young to know that in the 70's they had some fantastic presenters who were entertaining. The last great commercial radio presenters were the ones on the magic am network before the format changed in January. I don't think we can blame the presenters on air now - it's the owners who think every station should be the same whichever group owns them.
I felt really sad reading that article when I remember his days at Capital. Some of it was cheesy but you'd be sat on the train the next day and you would overhear people talking about his show. That article comes across as bitter.
I loved those shows back in the 90's, in fact I've got his wind up CD collection somewhere. He does seem to these days go on these 'just letting you know I'm still here' rants.
It's a shame that he comes across as so bitter now.
Seems like someone is a bit bitter as a BBC national radio station has never employed him. Perhaps the fact he ripped off the Noel Edmonds show didn't help his cause.....
Unfortunately lots of commercial radio listeners do not remember how good it was when it first started as they are too young to know that in the 70's they had some fantastic presenters who were entertaining. The last great commercial radio presenters were the ones on the magic am network before the format changed in January. I don't think we can blame the presenters on air now - it's the owners who think every station should be the same whichever group owns them.
There was good and bad back then just as there's good and bad today. There are groups still doing heritage style local radio (at least here in the North). Radio has changed and the wider media has changed with so much competition now which is why questions are being asked with regard to the BBC's future. With the type of budget at Radio 2's disposal commercial stations would probably sound a lot different. In my opinion Classic FM proves that you can provide quality programming in a cost-effective and efficient way.
It's been going on for years people who earn a fortune from the BBC telling us how great it is but turn a different colour when anybody mentions that if it's so good then go subscription.
So isn't the question, how do you keep Radio 2 as good as it is with alternative methods of funding?
Good music radio does not require vast amounts of funding. It doesn't need high profile personalities (with poor radio techniques) on million pound salaries.
It needs knowledgeable music enthusiasts with good radio voices who are able to put a show together and operate the desk themselves.
Comments
Commercial radio asked for if the licence fee could be shared with them years ago
I doubt that will happen again either.
Cause Steve is continuing with the debate how the BBC is funded and there presenters forget its funding by the listeners and a freebie. They don't need sales departments trying to sell airtime to pay for them.
Yes. But he was arguing the case regarding his then-owned station and that public money should be used to start up new stations, not existing ones.
Didn't Sunshine in Hereford and Worcester have him on for a while, some sort of compilation of his wind ups
You're right they did - and I wonder why and when they dropped it. Recent changes suggest an emphasis on old Gold & Luxembourg jocks. Maybe Steve was a stopgap for them.
I haven't heard Steve Penk on the radio, and I do wonder why Radio Today appear keen to publish anything that he comments on.
Is he a bit of a self publicist?
Regarding Penk's remarks on Radio 2 and the BBC I agree. They are not in the real world. BUT I'd hate the BBC to have commercials. They need to run a leaner ship.
(A big improvement for a start would be to kick out Steve Wright.!)
In what way has the budget got to do with having presenters who are constantly engaging and witty?
How does that save money? Whether it's Patrick Kielty or Sara Cox covering you still have to pay them.
He only got his last proper radio gig because he bought the station and the thing he's most famous for - the Tony Blair wind up call - wasn't even him!
The simple answer would be that you tend to be able to hire the best talent! I would say that with the likes of Evans though they're paying much more than market rate.
A lot of the "engaging and witty" stuff on Radio 2 is provided in spades by the audience so they always have stuff to bounce off. Wogan's entire show was prepped by the listeners.
Even your average presenter could do a show on R2 quite easily. In fact, see Anneka Rice for further details. Start your show, ask for a bit of input and there's your links all sorted for you.
A clear sign that it's over-resourced.
I guess keilty is kept on cause he's does the comedy and country awards so use him to cover wrighty instead of him hanging around the corridors. What else does he do?
You are coming across as a little obsessed/jealous of Mr Kielty with all your posts about him.
hes married to cat deeley .if i was him i d never leave the house
There are lots of people who actually do like that sort of radio, stripped back with lots of music and just enough of a presence from the presenter. A commercial station run like Radio 2 wouldn't last. Just as Radio 2 would cease to be if commercials were introduced. And daytime radio on commercial stations has pretty much been as you describe since the late 1990s with one or two exceptions. It's not really a new thing although networking has killed local content which made stations more unique.
Unfortunately lots of commercial radio listeners do not remember how good it was when it first started as they are too young to know that in the 70's they had some fantastic presenters who were entertaining. The last great commercial radio presenters were the ones on the magic am network before the format changed in January. I don't think we can blame the presenters on air now - it's the owners who think every station should be the same whichever group owns them.
I loved those shows back in the 90's, in fact I've got his wind up CD collection somewhere. He does seem to these days go on these 'just letting you know I'm still here' rants.
It's a shame that he comes across as so bitter now.
There was good and bad back then just as there's good and bad today. There are groups still doing heritage style local radio (at least here in the North). Radio has changed and the wider media has changed with so much competition now which is why questions are being asked with regard to the BBC's future. With the type of budget at Radio 2's disposal commercial stations would probably sound a lot different. In my opinion Classic FM proves that you can provide quality programming in a cost-effective and efficient way.
Good music radio does not require vast amounts of funding. It doesn't need high profile personalities (with poor radio techniques) on million pound salaries.
It needs knowledgeable music enthusiasts with good radio voices who are able to put a show together and operate the desk themselves.
http://tunein.com/radio/Sun-Radio-1001-s145074/
Radio Two is dire.