Smooth National Radio Thread

12467351

Comments

  • Martin PhillpMartin Phillp Posts: 34,678
    Forum Member
    ✭✭✭
    airwaves wrote: »
    Just caught the promo for Lynn Parsons on breakfast from Monday and it sounds like they are using a voiceover from the previous Real Radio package. If so that's a bit strange considering they originally dropped a male voice for a female one.

    His name is Mitch Johnson, who as you say was the previous Real VO before Rik Scott took over.

    Sounds like from Monday they'll use Mitch and Gina.
  • michael1152michael1152 Posts: 1,966
    Forum Member
    ✭✭✭
    Yes, why does Andy Peeble's sound so grumpy on his shows, after all he has kept his job so will still have all his money coming in :)
  • BingethinkBingethink Posts: 4,257
    Forum Member
    ✭✭✭
    Miss Sixty wrote: »
    Grumpy Peebles gets ripped apart by Mellow Magic and Heart.

    In London.

    Smooth is not a London station; it is now a national station.

    How long before you get it?
  • Martin PhillpMartin Phillp Posts: 34,678
    Forum Member
    ✭✭✭
    Yes, why does Andy Peeble's sound so grumpy on his shows, after all he has kept his job so will still have all his money coming in :)

    Maybe GMG are happy with Andy's Rajar on the stations outside London? From Monday, London won't be so important to Smooth as they're targeting R2 instead of Heart and Magic.
  • airwavesairwaves Posts: 2,845
    Forum Member
    ✭✭✭
    Mitch Johnson :-

    Smooth deep and rich. Authoritive and warm. Sexy.

    Just what Smooth Radio is after then. Not sure about sexy though! :p
  • Miss SixtyMiss Sixty Posts: 1,767
    Forum Member
    ✭✭✭
    Yes, why does Andy Peeble's sound so grumpy on his shows

    He's grumpy in real life that's why.

    Radio's very own Victor Meldrew.
  • Miss SixtyMiss Sixty Posts: 1,767
    Forum Member
    ✭✭✭
    Bingethink wrote: »
    How long before you get it?

    I do get it.

    It's still a crazy decision to leave evenings as they are on Smooth.
  • Martin PhillpMartin Phillp Posts: 34,678
    Forum Member
    ✭✭✭
    airwaves wrote: »
    Mitch Johnson :-

    Smooth deep and rich. Authoritive and warm. Sexy.

    Just what Smooth Radio is after then. Not sure about sexy though! :p

    Smooth has never come over to me as a sexy brand. Heart is though!
  • bluesdiamondbluesdiamond Posts: 11,360
    Forum Member
    ✭✭
    beacon wrote: »
    The idea of a national Smooth Radio doesn't excite me at all. As is always the case with these commercial stations the playlists are narrower than ever, and although they may want to beat Radio 2 they never will. People over 40 may want listen to old songs mixed with the new, but they also want to feel contemporary too. That's why people like Chris Evans and co on Radio 2. Simon Bates and the rest make you feel like you're living in a time warp, and Mark Goodier and Andy Peebles are enough to send you to sleep.

    I post rarely on here, but as a largely casual listener I have listened to Smooth in the past. I pose this question. How on earth did we get into a situation whereby these regional stations have ended up as poor semi quasi national stations?. This was surely never how it was meant to be. Regional presenters with sometimes a long history with their audience just thrown to one side. And how do new potential presenters get a break?. These stations are largely boring, and the whole radio landscape in the UK is quite depressing.

    If Smooth can keep it's play list as large as now then I don't see a problem.
    Over recent weeks, Smooth played 1,200 tracks. Radio 2 2,400. Radio Two has a lot more specialist shows. Smooth is more Radio Two daytime but 24 hours a day.
    Take Sunday, Radio 2 does the religious stuff, Smooth does not. Radio 2 has things like big band music, I think you get the idea.
    I would still listen to Radio 2 at home because it does play a bit more rock. Smooth does have a leaning to Soul. However I would rather have Smooth in the background at work to the current Heart. which has got tighter it seems, less than 600 tracks!
  • Francis HFrancis H Posts: 469
    Forum Member
    Miss Sixty wrote: »
    What a mistake on Smooth's part.

    Grumpy Peebles gets ripped apart by Mellow Magic and Heart.

    Nigel Williams, Nick Piercy or Graham Dene should've been offered evenings on Smooth.

    Peebles was a good listen in his Piccadilly and Radio One days. I wouldn't describe him as grumpy, just very uninspired and basically dull. He's probably sick to the back teeth of the same old playlist. His Saturday soul show gives him a bit of scope, but again he has to play it quite safe. Not a patch on the shows he replaced.

    My feeling is that Smooth National will actually increase Radio 2's audience and may well be beneficial to other stations too. I'll gave Bates a try when he starts, but if he too is stuck with the same old records, which is very likely, I won't be there long.
  • Francis HFrancis H Posts: 469
    Forum Member
    beacon wrote: »
    The idea of a national Smooth Radio doesn't excite me at all. As is always the case with these commercial stations the playlists are narrower than ever, and although they may want to beat Radio 2 they never will. People over 40 may want listen to old songs mixed with the new, but they also want to feel contemporary too. That's why people like Chris Evans and co on Radio 2. Simon Bates and the rest make you feel like you're living in a time warp, and Mark Goodier and Andy Peebles are enough to send you to sleep.

    I post rarely on here, but as a largely casual listener I have listened to Smooth in the past. I pose this question. How on earth did we get into a situation whereby these regional stations have ended up as poor semi quasi national stations?. This was surely never how it was meant to be. Regional presenters with sometimes a long history with their audience just thrown to one side. And how do new potential presenters get a break?. These stations are largely boring, and the whole radio landscape in the UK is quite depressing.

    This is the best post on Smooth and the like I've ever read. Agreed 100%.
  • Mapperley RidgeMapperley Ridge Posts: 9,922
    Forum Member
    beacon wrote: »
    I post rarely on here, but as a largely casual listener I have listened to Smooth in the past. I pose this question. How on earth did we get into a situation whereby these regional stations have ended up as poor semi quasi national stations?. This was surely never how it was meant to be. Regional presenters with sometimes a long history with their audience just thrown to one side.

    And how do new potential presenters get a break?. These stations are largely boring, and the whole radio landscape in the UK is quite depressing.

    Easy answer. Strong lobbying from the industry and an ever weak regulator.

    However, I disagree with the second part of your post. Smooth is not a "largely boring" station. It's evolving into a national brand and has the potential to do very well thank you.

    New presenters will get a break in the same way as they have always done, only now they'll have to work a damn sight harder. Radio's in the rudist of health, choice wise.

    When I was starting out there was no such thing as an RSL or internet stations. There was my local BBC and ILR and that was it. Two stations to pitch my work to - or if I was feeling really adventurous, posting cassettes off to far flung corners of the country and hoping that a manager was having a really bad day and would listen to that pile of crap in his desk. (which, incidentally, was the tactic that paid off in the end)

    If you really think the radio landscape is "dull", can I suggest you spend the next week or so listeneing to Radios 1 through 7 for half a day at a time. When you've done that go to the World Service, Absolute, TalkSport, BFBS and yes, Heart and Smooth. Then try out some of the excellent small scale "town" stations online, or a few of the better community services.
  • bluesdiamondbluesdiamond Posts: 11,360
    Forum Member
    ✭✭
    If you really think the radio landscape is "dull", can I suggest you spend the next week or so listeneing to Radios 1 through 7 for half a day at a time. When you've done that go to the World Service, Absolute, TalkSport, BFBS and yes, Heart and Smooth. Then try out some of the excellent small scale "town" stations online, or a few of the better community services.

    I agree that their are some good stations out there.
    In the home I listen to Radio 2, but not a fan of say Steve Wright or post 7pm weekdays, I will listen to BFBS in the afternoon, or Smooth in the Evening. Sometimes Absolute...think I really need a DAB Radio!!!
    I guess that like a lot of people I don't like Heart, because I am Male and 42. Sadly as FM is the format most people still use, it is what the management pump out 24/7 through the tannoy...oh well at least help's Heart in the RAJAR having a strong FM presence in the South of England. May change over time as more people have DAB Radio's replacing existing analogues ones. I guess in a lot of households they have more than one radio, say radio alarm, kitchen radio and hi-fi. with car radio.
    I wonder for example how many housewives still have the radio on in the kitchen, and may only put the hi-fi on for CD's? So the HI-FI is DAB but the radio not used, while the kitchen radio is analogue.
  • hanssolohanssolo Posts: 22,561
    Forum Member
    ✭✭✭
    May change over time as more people have DAB Radio's replacing existing analogues ones. I guess in a lot of households they have more than one radio, say radio alarm, kitchen radio and hi-fi. with car radio.
    I wonder for example how many housewives still have the radio on in the kitchen, and may only put the hi-fi on for CD's? So the HI-FI is DAB but the radio not used, while the kitchen radio is analogue.
    Will be interesting to see if the new regional ads mention DAB so the new potential listeners in non FM areas will see if thier sets have DAB, or they might try Smooth on TV or the PC before buying a new kitchen DAB or WiFi set if they actually like Smooth!
    No doubt there will be an increase in DAB set and car adaptor ads!
  • Francis HFrancis H Posts: 469
    Forum Member
    Easy answer. Strong lobbying from the industry and an ever weak regulator.

    However, I disagree with the second part of your post. Smooth is not a "largely boring" station. It's evolving into a national brand and has the potential to do very well thank you.

    I agree that Smooth is not a "largely boring station". It is completely boring 24/7. Radio 2 will not suffer one bit from this alleged competition. And with Smooth's one proven audience winner about to leave, they will be in an even weaker position.
  • SibeberSibeber Posts: 555
    Forum Member
    ✭✭
    Francis H wrote: »
    I agree that Smooth is not a "largely boring station". It is completely boring 24/7. Radio 2 will not suffer one bit from this alleged competition. And with Smooth's one proven audience winner about to leave, they will be in an even weaker position.

    Francis , i you dont like it why do you listen 24/7 ?
  • Tazman1966Tazman1966 Posts: 373
    Forum Member
    I agree it's NOT completely boring. Can we have YOUR view Francis H on what to change to improve it - and don't just say "close it down". Also what makes it "completely boring" compared to other stations? I can't really see what it is...

    I'll read your reply with a completely open mind - you never know, I might even agree with some of it!

    Cheers.
  • Francis HFrancis H Posts: 469
    Forum Member
    Tazman1966 wrote: »
    I agree it's NOT completely boring. Can we have YOUR view Francis H on what to change to improve it - and don't just say "close it down". Also what makes it "completely boring" compared to other stations? I can't really see what it is...

    I'll read your reply with a completely open mind - you never know, I might even agree with some of it!

    Cheers.

    What they need to do is to become much more distinctive. At the moment, everything played can be heard elsewhere. The presenters are average at best and not real personalities, they sound jaded and dated. As you will have read, I'm not the only one who thinks along these lines. I certainly don't listen 24/7, but whenever I do tune in, I can only stand it for less than 10 minutes. The London station was competely ruined by idiotic and bad decisions. The national version will only p*ss off the people who enjoyed the regional version.
  • Martin PhillpMartin Phillp Posts: 34,678
    Forum Member
    ✭✭✭
    At the moment, the only time I hear any excitement in Smooth's output (in London) on weekdays when the overnight presenters from Newcastle are on (and have been axed!) with their simple interactive features and feeling of community. The output from London in comparison is so clinical.

    There is of course Tony Blackburn at weekends who rises above the bland playlist and of course he's off to Radio 2!
  • trevgotrevgo Posts: 28,241
    Forum Member
    ✭✭✭
    Very irresponsible to advertise Smooth on the rear of busses.

    Following traffic could tune in, which could cause untold rear-ending as drivers nodded off.
  • Tazman1966Tazman1966 Posts: 373
    Forum Member
    I must admit Francis that some of the gems that only Smooth played seem to have petered out a bit of late although the 70s @7 feature still seems to dig out some rarely heard corkers. As far as personalities are concerned, I do enjoy listening to Graham Dene though and always thought that Nigel Williams is miles ahead of Paul Coia on drive when he stands in for him (which seems to be quite regularly!) Of course as we now know the jewel in the crown Tony Blackburn is off and he is good. Interestingly I'm not much of a fan of Andy Peebles but they've kept him on...
  • BingethinkBingethink Posts: 4,257
    Forum Member
    ✭✭✭
    Francis H wrote: »
    What they need to do is to become much more distinctive. At the moment, everything played can be heard elsewhere.

    The last ten songs on Smooth Radio:

    Smokey Robinson - Being With You
    Elkie Brooks - Pearls A Singer
    Louis Armstrong - We Have All The Time In The World
    O'jays - I Love Music
    Berlin - Take My Breath Away
    Drizabone Soul Family - I Fell Apart
    Supremes - Come See About Me
    Fleetwood Mac - Everywhere
    Simply Red - If You Don't Know Me By Now
    Beautiful South - Dream A Little Dream

    Other than Radio 2, where else can you hear that sort of music selection?
  • trevgotrevgo Posts: 28,241
    Forum Member
    ✭✭✭
    Bingethink wrote: »
    The last ten songs on Smooth Radio:

    Smokey Robinson - Being With You
    Elkie Brooks - Pearls A Singer
    Louis Armstrong - We Have All The Time In The World
    O'jays - I Love Music
    Berlin - Take My Breath Away
    Drizabone Soul Family - I Fell Apart
    Supremes - Come See About Me
    Fleetwood Mac - Everywhere
    Simply Red - If You Don't Know Me By Now
    Beautiful South - Dream A Little Dream

    Other than Radio 2, where else can you hear that sort of music selection?

    Just about any commercial radio station in the country.

    Why this obsession with old music? I just don't understand.
  • BingethinkBingethink Posts: 4,257
    Forum Member
    ✭✭✭
    trevgo wrote: »
    Just about any commercial radio station in the country.
    .

    That's just nonsense.

    Remind me of the last time you heard Elkie Brooks or louis Armstrong on Capital, Kerrang or Kiss.
  • Martin PhillpMartin Phillp Posts: 34,678
    Forum Member
    ✭✭✭
    Bingethink wrote: »
    That's just nonsense.

    Remind me of the last time you heard Elkie Brooks or louis Armstrong on Capital, Kerrang or Kiss.

    You would hear Elkie Brooks on Gold or Magic's AM network though.
Sign In or Register to comment.