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Old 28-02-2014, 18:46
occy
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If Chris Skinner is not starting his weekday show until 24th March i wonder if he will be on with his new Saturday programme tomorrow night?
I wonder who'll take over his Heart Cambridge Drivetime Show?
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Old 28-02-2014, 18:47
occy
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Could Simon Bates be taking Andrew Castles weekend breakfast on LBC?
That would be an interesting move.
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Old 28-02-2014, 18:51
occy
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I don't think Global would have done a complete cull in one hit as it would be too much for listeners to get used to each presenter. Gradually change the schedule inserting presenters in. Also the changes to local smooths still need to be finalised and they are only taking 5 network shows from London. Early Breakfast, Midmornings ( I guess ) Afternoons, Evenings and I guess Overnights?
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Old 28-02-2014, 18:59
Jimmy Connors
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Am I right in thinking Pete Waterman has left Smooth as well? It wasn't made clear in the press release (I assumed he had, but hoped I was wrong) I can not find his show in the schedules.
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Old 28-02-2014, 19:07
occy
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Am I right in thinking Pete Waterman has left Smooth as well? It wasn't made clear in the press release (I assumed he had, but hoped I was wrong) I can not find his show in the schedules.
Now you see it, now you don't.

Not much was made clear thinking everyone was starting on Monday 3rd March, forgetting contracts need to fulfilled or not everyone can start straight away.
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Old 28-02-2014, 19:16
suffolkblue
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So these so called new songbook shows. Whats that all about surley with global being global they will just be playing the same old songs wont they? Gold listeners are going nuts lol.
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Old 28-02-2014, 20:13
Rich Tea.
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Good evening.

The arrogance, such as above, is breathtaking regarding some of the people on here who assert their expertise on matters of the broadcast media.

I've been privy recently to many conversations with people and friends in the industry for a very long time, and some not such a long time, and I can confidently say that there are barely disguised and scathing criticisms for the values and attitudes being portrayed here by the likes of the contributor above.

I've been in the radio & television industry at the sharp end and public face of the medium for more than 40 years and have managed to run successful and less successful businesses in that time also, alongside the public face of the job. I've come across all kinds of individuals in my time who arrive with the arrogance and surefootedness to claim they know best. I've seen the ways that both radio and television audience share/figures are routinely manipulated in order to create the correct narrative for those who wish to take their ideas in a specific direction. Businesses do indeed routinely set out to ask loaded questions to try and engineer the precise answers they actually want to hear, thereby justifying whatever decisions they have already decided to make. It may seem illogical but is widespread across the board. I've actually been in a meeting once where a director said he had the answer he wanted and now needed to formulate the question in the correct manner to suit the answer, in the style of a referendum question by a government designed to get what the government wants. It is surprisingly easily done in many spheres.

I've been there and done it, whether it be in radio, television or business, often all at the same time. I've known now former presenters on Smooth, and I've known how they view things from that particular perspective. None of it flatters. Neither should it. One recently former presenter on Smooth who has been a long time acquaintance spelt out that he feels a lot of commercial radio, and Smooth in this instance, are simply taking on the kind of presentation teams that will be "easily utilised" were his words. I asked what he meant and he said it meant they only want people who will do as they are told, ask no questions and behave themselves. Well where would the great radio of the past have been with the likes of Kenny Everett under those values? How would people have been excited and encouraged to aspire to REAL presenting and love of music through their radio.

Yes, the landscape is vastly different now in all medias and business models have altered and continue to alter at ever greater speeds. I know so many people within the industry, with varying degrees of experience, from broadcasting on the national networks to millions of listeners each day for years, myself included, who look at all the missed opportunities not being taken, the risks not being allowed to be tried and tested, only for the apparent safety first option of radio like Smooth and others who have brought cynicism and business into the audio medium to a staggering degree which in the short term may indeed succeed but in the longer term is set on course to fail spectacularly.

Nobody ever again will be able to say they broadcast on radio to a listening audience of 10 million, or a TV audience of 20 million. It's great to be able to have that on the CV. Nowadays an ever increasingly crowded media market place is simply casting around trying to pick up the ever diminishing crumbs from a finite table.
One of the best posts ever written on this thread.

That is why nobody has seen fit to engage it, because it's the undeniable truth from an impeccable source.
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Old 28-02-2014, 20:21
michael1152
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I wonder if Lynn really left or she was pushed? Was Kate Garraway headhunted? I'd rather thought she would have wanted to stay on tv (daybreak) as she will be very limited to what she can say on Smooth next week? Unless once they've got their new lineup sorted they will let them speak more?
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Old 28-02-2014, 21:01
beacon
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I haven't posted on this topic for a while because I stopped listening to Smooth as soon as they cut the chat and playlist. I'm not the kind of person to stay with a station that limits my capacity to hear any new music at all, and then subjects me to endless repeats of 'When A Man Loves A Woman'. I've always felt that as a forty eight year old I have all of this history of great music that is being denied to me. Let Global do what they like as I have a choice and good luck with that. I've now been converted to Magic in the north and love it. Presenters who can talk and express themselves and a much wider playlist in addition to the classics. I know there are only a few new tracks on but I can go to Radio 2 for that. If it hadn't of been for the awful Smooth change I wouldn't have got into Magic so much. Then with the internet and the choice there and the rest of the BBC I feel there is still much choice out there. I do feel sorry for Simon Bates and co it seems like such a vicious game when you're replaced by TV people with the personality of a wet weekend in Bkackpool. Such people actually turn me right off.
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Old 28-02-2014, 21:13
Borsant
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One of the best posts ever written on this thread.

That is why nobody has seen fit to engage it, because it's the undeniable truth from an impeccable source.
People not choosing to respond doesn't equate to acceptance or agreement...however, here goes.

Quoting disgruntled presenters (And there's plenty of those!!) has very little value.

Stations certainly DO put a spin on RAJAR results often finding a crumb of comfort to trumpet even if the prevailing story is negative...however, as stated earlier, why would a business try to manipulate the figures, freely available to the sales agencies??

A presenter with a big ego isn't necessarily a good one. Many really great presenters have quietly delivered fantastic radio and numbers over the years. In fact the maverick jock is a myth, it's usually someone 'protected' by a management figure. As soon as that person tires of the jock or moves on, the jock soon follows out the door.

Audiences no longer have to tolerate wacky jocking and gut feel music - and don't need to even stay on the radio platform. Once gone, getting them back will be tricky.

The answer to this post is in the last paragraph. Fragmentation and cross platform competition means the 'glory days' radio - if it ever existed (Try listening to old airchecks! - with the exception of Kenny at his very best) have gone forever.

Happy with that response?
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Old 28-02-2014, 21:38
Jimmy Connors
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Now you see it, now you don't.

Not much was made clear thinking everyone was starting on Monday 3rd March, forgetting contracts need to fulfilled or not everyone can start straight away.
Thanks occy. I was hoping Pete Waterman's show had slipped through the net. It was one of the best shows around. A crying shame it's been axed.
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Old 01-03-2014, 03:28
wckartist
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they are only taking 5 network shows from London. Early Breakfast, Midmornings ( I guess ) Afternoons, Evenings and I guess Overnights?

Only???

That's the majority of the day!
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Old 01-03-2014, 09:09
Casey B See
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What about AM music policies? Is there not a general rule that says songs have to be 10 or more years old? Will Smooth Radio be able to comply with all the AM licenses as it stands?
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Old 01-03-2014, 09:29
bluesdiamond
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What about AM music policies? Is there not a general rule that says songs have to be 10 or more years old? Will Smooth Radio be able to comply with all the AM licenses as it stands?
So should Absolute Radio not play new music then
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Old 01-03-2014, 09:35
Casey B See
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No, I mean all the AM local stations that have been long standing oldies stations for years. What are their music restrictions under the licenses that currently stand for them, and would playing a Will Young record comply with the terms of their licenses. Or will Smooth Radio/This is Smooth have to do a bit more tweaking?
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Old 01-03-2014, 10:00
SouthCity
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No, I mean all the AM local stations that have been long standing oldies stations for years. What are their music restrictions under the licenses that currently stand for them, and would playing a Will Young record comply with the terms of their licenses. Or will Smooth Radio/This is Smooth have to do a bit more tweaking?
The format for the AM licences states "classic pop hits station aimed primarily at people aged 35-54" and Will Young would qualify for this.

I don't think Ofcom will get too concerned about it as it's only AM and they are pretty flexible regarding AM formats these days. I'm sure that if Absolute 1215 wanted to play Soul & Motown that wouldn't be an issue either, although it would on 105.8.
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Old 01-03-2014, 12:09
wirewolf
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The format for the AM licences states "classic pop hits station aimed primarily at people aged 35-54" and Will Young would qualify for this.

I don't think Ofcom will get too concerned about it as it's only AM and they are pretty flexible regarding AM formats these days. I'm sure that if Absolute 1215 wanted to play Soul & Motown that wouldn't be an issue either, although it would on 105.8.
I was under the impression that for a few years now AM stations have been able to change their format to whatever they want so long as they seek permission from Ofcom prior to changing.
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Old 01-03-2014, 16:14
Rich Tea.
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I haven't posted on this topic for a while because I stopped listening to Smooth as soon as they cut the chat and playlist. I'm not the kind of person to stay with a station that limits my capacity to hear any new music at all, and then subjects me to endless repeats of 'When A Man Loves A Woman'. I've always felt that as a forty eight year old I have all of this history of great music that is being denied to me. Let Global do what they like as I have a choice and good luck with that. I've now been converted to Magic in the north and love it. Presenters who can talk and express themselves and a much wider playlist in addition to the classics. I know there are only a few new tracks on but I can go to Radio 2 for that. If it hadn't of been for the awful Smooth change I wouldn't have got into Magic so much. Then with the internet and the choice there and the rest of the BBC I feel there is still much choice out there. I do feel sorry for Simon Bates and co it seems like such a vicious game when you're replaced by TV people with the personality of a wet weekend in Bkackpool. Such people actually turn me right off.
Perfectly put. Smooth sounded in the end like it just wanted to exist within its own narrow little timewarp bubble. For me personally it became a very depressive listen, going around in circles with ever diminishing returns to me.

Radio certainly does seem like a very vicious game indeed, with no security worth talking about. But I guess all presenters in that industry know that is the occupational hazard and take it on the chin, not personally in the end. There cannot be a single DJ/presenter, however esteemed who hasn't been fired can there?
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Old 01-03-2014, 20:29
suffolkblue
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Great British songbook. What the ###@ is that all about. Chtis skinner already sound bored stiff same crappy songs being played this is just heart in another name. Tons of very annoying adds and chris has said 2 Sentences in half an hour. Cant complaints be made about this to ofcom this truly is depressing radio and here comes wait for it. DIDO who would have thought it.
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Old 01-03-2014, 20:56
bluesdiamond
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Perfectly put. Smooth sounded in the end like it just wanted to exist within its own narrow little timewarp bubble. For me personally it became a very depressive listen, going around in circles with ever diminishing returns to me.

Radio certainly does seem like a very vicious game indeed, with no security worth talking about. But I guess all presenters in that industry know that is the occupational hazard and take it on the chin, not personally in the end. There cannot be a single DJ/presenter, however esteemed who hasn't been fired can there?
Was that the GMG days or Global.
18 months ago Smooth was sounding great. soul classics making up the bilk of the tunes, with most hours a new release and a great oldie. Then dj;s with a love of Northern Soul playing stuff which some stations ignore as they just play Motown to death.

Now, it just sounds skewed to a female audience, a Heart playlist that went threw a blender to create a Heart Smooth(ie).
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Old 01-03-2014, 21:07
up to the vocal
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''The Great British Songbook''
So they play 'A Groovy Kind of Love' that was written by TWO AMERICANS.
If a jobs worth doing etc......Some idiot born in 1980 probably thinks it was written by Phil Collins...Smooth IF you're going to do a 'specialised' British SONG programme.Make it British through and through,Do some actual bloody research instead of just throwing a load of tracks together,
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Old 01-03-2014, 21:35
suffolkblue
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What a pile of crap this show is anyway. It might as well be just a normal show on smooth i predicted they would play the normal crap and thats what they are doing. No doubt the same tomorrow with the american songbook. Load of crap.
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Old 01-03-2014, 21:36
Cut6
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Was that the GMG days or Global.
18 months ago Smooth was sounding great. soul classics making up the bilk of the tunes, with most hours a new release and a great oldie. Then dj;s with a love of Northern Soul playing stuff which some stations ignore as they just play Motown to death.

Now, it just sounds skewed to a female audience, a Heart playlist that went threw a blender to create a Heart Smooth(ie).
I bet it won't be making a £2.2 million yearly loss in 18 months though.
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Old 01-03-2014, 21:53
suffolkblue
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No because of globals advertising. Rajar will say its going up even though people are leaving in their droves. With all the adverts on smooth at the moment its no wonder it will makr a bloody profit. It would be hard not too with all these adverts every 3 songs.
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Old 01-03-2014, 22:08
radionutter
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''The Great British Songbook''
So they play 'A Groovy Kind of Love' that was written by TWO AMERICANS.
If a jobs worth doing etc......Some idiot born in 1980 probably thinks it was written by Phil Collins...Smooth IF you're going to do a 'specialised' British SONG programme.Make it British through and through,Do some actual bloody research instead of just throwing a load of tracks together,
I think the great British songbook is about British artists. Maybe you should go and listen to the bbc.
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