BBC Radio 2 to unveil older presenters/more public service elements in daytime

MikeBrMikeBr Posts: 7,856
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Noticed this in the Guardian yesterday reporting on Tuesday's Radio Festival:

"Bob Shennan said Radio 2, which has come under pressure from the BBC Trust to increase its appeal among older listeners, would be unveiling a number of presenters who were "a little older" in the next 12 months."

Wonder who he has lined up?

He went on to say that he wanted to have more women presenters on the station and that there would be more public service elements in the daytime schedule:

Full article:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/oct/19/radio-festival-chris-evans-chris-moyles
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Comments

  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 3,048
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    It may fit the remit but I'm not bothered about an increase in what I think public service may mean. But that is such a generalisation it could mean just about anything.
  • Satellite FreakSatellite Freak Posts: 517
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    It's already started with the appointment of Tony Blackburn. Perhaps Chris Tarrant will also join the network?

    How about a daytime show for Bob Harris?

    As for more females for the network, I guess Liza Tarbuck will be one of them.
  • Martin PhillpMartin Phillp Posts: 34,583
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    Also read Strictly Come Dancing's Len Goodman will be presenting three one-off specialist shows for R2.
  • occyoccy Posts: 64,320
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    I don't know how they will give a female a show on daytimes without removing someone. They need someone during the day instead of Early Breakfast. I know Zoe Ball covers for Ken Bruce, but I can't see her taking over from Ken Bruce.
  • Satellite FreakSatellite Freak Posts: 517
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    occy wrote: »
    I don't know how they will give a female a show on daytimes without removing someone. They need someone during the day instead of Early Breakfast. I know Zoe Ball covers for Ken Bruce, but I can't see her taking over from Ken Bruce.

    Nobody has to be removed, though. Some shows could be pruned back (breakfast and the Steve Wright show).
  • philenglandphilengland Posts: 8,175
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    maybe when Lynn Parsons ends Smooth Breakfast, she will get something daytime on Radio 2 - she is a fantastic presenter
  • RobinCarmodyRobinCarmody Posts: 3,103
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    Note also that Dale Winton's last POTP before Timmy Bannockburn takes over will feature 1959 - I wonder whether the show might skew earlier under Blackburn.

    This is all a good thing in principle, but not if it's being championed by the Heart apologists who would never actually listen to it. The sort of people who support PSB these days mostly do so for such cynical reasons that its actual delivery seems tainted by association.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 38
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    As for more females for the network, I guess Liza Tarbuck will be one of them.

    Dear God, NO!

    Surely there's more than ONE woman in the whole of the UK?
  • Ramsay LaddersRamsay Ladders Posts: 3,017
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    It's already started with the appointment of Tony Blackburn. Perhaps Chris Tarrant will also join the network?

    How about a daytime show for Bob Harris?

    As for more females for the network, I guess Liza Tarbuck will be one of them.

    No thank you Scott.
  • Martin PhillpMartin Phillp Posts: 34,583
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    No thank you Scott.

    Glad it's not just me thinking that!
  • johnpettersjohnpetters Posts: 1,548
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    Maybe at last the message is getting through to Bob Shennan that there is an older audience which appreciates grown up music.

    That is the real change that needs to be made at Radio 2.

    Hopefully with the BBC under financial pressure, a new look will be taken at Radios 1 and 2, with 2 adjusted to cater for an audience that is not obsessed with pop & rock and celeb presenters attracting huge fees.

    A radio 2 show for Paul Barnes would be a welcome addition.

    Time for Radio 2 Light.
  • Phil AnderPhil Ander Posts: 1,556
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    Hi John

    Reading the story it does not actually say that older presenters will be on during the daytime. Shennan talks about more features like the Book Club on Mayo's show but nowhere can I find a reference to a change in music policy during the daytime.

    As for the idea of Radio 2 Light in view of the 16% cut in funding that the BBC has been saddled with I just don't see it happening.

    I think it more likely if Paul Barnes were to be given a network show it would be on Radio 3.
  • Mapperley RidgeMapperley Ridge Posts: 9,922
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    Nowhere does the article say that the older presenters will be featured in regular daily programmes. I think this is simply Bob alluding to a few more specials.

    As for PSB elements in the daytime, it's already being done with campaigns like First Click.
  • Mapperley RidgeMapperley Ridge Posts: 9,922
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    That is the real change that needs to be made at Radio 2.

    Hopefully with the BBC under financial pressure, a new look will be taken at Radios 1 and 2, with 2 adjusted to cater for an audience that is not obsessed with pop & rock and celeb presenters attracting huge fees.

    A radio 2 show for Paul Barnes would be a welcome addition.

    Time for Radio 2 Light.

    OK, Radio 2's under financial pressure so ... let's have Radio 2 light. Would that be the same station or a different station.

    As for Paul Barnes.... come on - give it up.
  • TeeGeeTeeGee Posts: 5,772
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    I have a strange view that programme content is more important than the presenters themselves. :(
  • Mapperley RidgeMapperley Ridge Posts: 9,922
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    It is. But Radio 2 is in the business of being an entertainment network, in the broadest possible sense. That's one reason we have seen an influx of certain personalities. Some people argue that the station is being dominated by "celebrity culture" - but let's not forget that in the years gone by the likes of Jimmy Young, Gloria Hunniford and Alan Freeman were all big persnonalities at the time, combining their radio and TV work.
  • papadontpreachpapadontpreach Posts: 303
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    Johnnie Walker from 10 pm please Bob, a great example of a 60+ presenter who is still an amazing communicator and has great music Knowledge, you know it makes sense, lovely jublee.
  • old pilotold pilot Posts: 1,910
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    OK, Radio 2's under financial pressure so ... let's have Radio 2 light. Would that be the same station or a different station.

    As for Paul Barnes.... come on - give it up.

    He is just plugging his mate again Mapperley.
  • Mapperley RidgeMapperley Ridge Posts: 9,922
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    old pilot wrote: »
    He is just plugging his mate again Mapperley.

    Really? I hadn't considered that.... ahh... yes... maybe he is.
  • johnpettersjohnpetters Posts: 1,548
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    Phil Ander wrote: »
    Hi John

    Reading the story it does not actually say that older presenters will be on during the daytime. Shennan talks about more features like the Book Club on Mayo's show but nowhere can I find a reference to a change in music policy during the daytime.

    As for the idea of Radio 2 Light in view of the 16% cut in funding that the BBC has been saddled with I just don't see it happening.

    I think it more likely if Paul Barnes were to be given a network show it would be on Radio 3.

    Hi Phil,
    I must confess, I've not studied the Radio 2 playlist for a long while, although I did keep an eye on the Radio 2 Message Board until it was closed down, so I don't think much has changed in the daytime output since the Trust published its report.

    It may well be, that with all the cuts that a root and branch re-examination of the radio networks will have to take place.
    John W made a very good case for a light programme during the day as part of the mix of music. This would include, broadly the spectrum Barnes plays on his eastern region show, plus a bit more. So you could have a mixture of jazz, big band, Sinatra's, Ella, popular records from the 40s & 50s, including Rock'n'Roll, Skiffle, country, light music and dance bands.

    An hour so so a day, during the day would fit the remit of the service licence and wouldn't need a celeb presenter - just someone who knows about the music.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 5,848
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    I'm not sure about the logic of the BBC tampering with their most successful radio station, and the only one to my ears that plays music that can equally appeal to someone who is 25 or 65. And one which plays new releases (those ones that are actually worth listening to) and classics. Nowhere else, even commercial radio, offers such variety.

    They have informative shows as well (i.e. Jeremy Vine) and more specialised music shows later in the day. I also give the thumbs up to the first click campaign.

    This is another example of trying to fix something that isn't broke, if you ask me.
  • p_c_u_kp_c_u_k Posts: 8,806
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    Any of this would have to be treated very cleverly, otherwise the audience will just switch off.

    Trying to force people to listen to non-mainstream music or documentaries without making them accessible will not work - no-one will listen. That's not public service broadcasting.

    See attempts at half hour news programmes on BBC Three and documentary strands on 1Xtra for great examples.
  • InkblotInkblot Posts: 26,889
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    I'm not sure about the logic of the BBC tampering with their most successful radio station, and the only one to my ears that plays music that can equally appeal to someone who is 25 or 65. And one which plays new releases (those ones that are actually worth listening to) and classics. Nowhere else, even commercial radio, offers such variety.

    They have informative shows as well (i.e. Jeremy Vine) and more specialised music shows later in the day. I also give the thumbs up to the first click campaign.

    This is another example of trying to fix something that isn't broke, if you ask me.
    As others have already said, the Guardian article doesn't appear to say that the music will be changed, but that more PSB elements similar to the book club will be included in daytime programmes. There's a mention of the Hay Festival, which is a literary festival not a music festival.
  • slimjimslimjim Posts: 718
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    The trouble with R2 shifting its emphasis to older listeners is that it leaves a conspicuous gap. Too many listeners are then too young for R2, and too old for R1.

    Now you can always suggest that this disenfranchised chunk of the BBC's audience can listen to commercial radio instead, but I don't want to. That's not why I pay my licence fee.

    R2 Xtra is needed, for the 60+ demographic so that R2 can remain unspoiled.
  • johnpettersjohnpetters Posts: 1,548
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    slimjim wrote: »
    The trouble with R2 shifting its emphasis to older listeners is that it leaves a conspicuous gap. Too many listeners are then too young for R2, and too old for R1.

    Now you can always suggest that this disenfranchised chunk of the BBC's audience can listen to commercial radio instead, but I don't want to. That's not why I pay my licence fee.

    R2 Xtra is needed, for the 60+ demographic so that R2 can remain unspoiled.
    The solution is easy. Just extend the age range of Radio 1 to include the areas covered by Radio 2, if you want to do it that way.
    I'm not suggesting that the BBC can afford R 2 Extra now.

    So some other compromise, meaning a bit of giving on the part of the audience already served by R2 for some time during every day.

    Where is the problem?

    Everybody would tune in to the programmes they wanted and switch off when they didn't like a show. At the moment Radio 2 is switched off all the time during the day here. I am disenfranchised as are many other.

    Why would an hour a day in the morning or afternoon spoil Radio 2? There is no reason why it should.

    There is no reason why Desmond Carrington shouldn't be on during the day or Russell Davies. Both are high quality shows, both are musical shows. The fact that the speech content is of a much greater intellectual level than that experienced on some of the daytime shows on air currently, would be a bonus.
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