Thanks for reassuring me that it was actually Radio WM I was tuned to because,while I appreciate cutbacks seem a priority, quite honestly it is driving me completely nuts with all this MOR Heart FM type music they fill programmes with now.,

BBC WM has relatively little music based shows - Radio Shropshire, Hereford and Worcester and Stoke all have Jazz, Country and Folk music shows when BBC WM has programmes for the Asian and Afro-Caribbean communities, and they all play more music than WM! Great that BBC WM has decided to broadcast overnight, but don't expect it to be speech!

Can never understand why Radio WM doesn't broadcast the Radio Shropshire Sunday 6 pm folk programme ? If they think Heart FM music is the only answer, then they insult our intelligence.

I used to listen to Nonny James some years ago and she did an excellent folk and blues programme at Radio Shropshire on a Thursdays at 7pm. A really good and knowledgeable presenter.Those were the days when local radio was a good alternative listen but she obviously wasn't too impressed with how BBC management treated her, so she walked.

www.nonnyjames.com/radio.html

There's probably a few weekend programmes that could be shared between WM & the other stations.

Somehow they could tweak the schedule to include that Sunday afternoon programme(Mike Wyer ?) on WM, with maybe the Irish show & the Soul & Motown going out on Shrops/H & W/Stoke somehow?

Maybe take the Shrops etc schedule on WM through to 1am, ditching the ethnic programming?

Bring back Samantha Meah and the Sunday night party.

Thanks a million, this is it was bugging me for ages

All excellent suggestions.

Theres a photo of Mollie Green on Facebook holding a couple of melons.



I'll just leave that here!

Ed is only well enough to do a one hour prerecord thesedays.

If (& this is a big IF!) he does anything live, he will be a guest on someone else's show & will be very limited in what he can do sadly.

Wonder where the rest of the 'classic' Doolan backroom team are thesedays?

Think Cayte Walker runs her own craft shop in Cornwall nowadays, but what about Sue Kelly and, 123, 'Howarrrrd' ?

Just whacked on this mornings breakfast show on the iPlayer. Not living in the Midlands any more I don't get to catch it a lot.

I like Trish, she does a good job. Interesting set up with a 'team feel' now, getting all of the team on air. Still don't understand Pete Morgan on early breakfast though, genuinely believe he deserves a better slot.

Ive said it before & I'll say it again.

What planet is Mollie Green from?

Having listened to today's show so far, Im debating whether its Earth or not.

So far she's been attacked by a shrew at home & this morning, she's been involved in a live beer tasting!

Oh & she's managed to mislay her house keys & her husband isnt back until later today!

I wasn't listening then. She's just asked a listener if they can play the comb and tissue for her competition!

I always love her hand over to Iain Lee.

I bailed out at around half 8 as my mind was starting to melt at that point.

Im surprised she's let out on her own sometimes!

BBC WM is in Walsall this week coming.

(Bet I wont see anyone at the times I travel!)

This morning, Saturday Breakfast is coming live from Brum's Botanical Gardens, including a live audience for the Gardening segment instead of a phone in.

So in a nutshell, Mollie is meeting a carefully selected group of listeners live.

Listening figures have been released.

BBC WM listening figures (April, May & June)

Population (000s)
2,371

Reach (000s)
219

Reach Percent
9

Average Hours Per Head
1.0

Average Hours Per Listener
11.3

Total Hours (000s)
2,486

Listening Share In TSA %
6.1

Compare that to the last one

BBC WM listening figures (January, February & March)

Population (000s)
2,366

Reach (000s)
209

Reach Percent
9

Average Hours Per Head
0.8

Average Hours Per Listener
9.4

Total Hours (000s)
1,969

Listening Share In TSA %
5.0

Iain Lee has a " big announcement" on his show this Friday!

I heard that at the end on his personal podcast as well - he also drops a hint near the beginning when talking about his hotel room.

So Iain Lee's big announcement was that he has left. Apparently they wanted him to just do Saturday but he wanted to keep Friday afternoon too.

So not on today.

BBC WM's management have no idea how to run the station. Gareth Roberts was starting to turn this station around before the new manger started. The only shows I will now be listening to is the Sport.

Apparently Friday at 2pm and Saturday at 10am is odd time slots and that's the reason why. Odd that it looks like Pete Morgan is taking over Saturday. Weekdays 5pm - 7pm & Saturday 10am - 12pm is also an odd time slot.

I think the real reason is the new editor doesn't like his style.

He has said on twitter that this weekend should of been his last 2 shows but, they wouldn't let him do it.

Radio Today: http://radiotoday.co.uk/2015/08/iain...source=twitter

The hints were there over the last few weeks but being a long term fan of Iain I didn't know whether to take the little asides seriously or not!

A shame he didn't get a last show although he's got his live shows in October in Birmingham which I suspect will now act as a farewell so I'm looking forward to that even more now.

I'll miss his WM shows - I do catch bits of the 3CR show which I love and would recommend but there was something different about the WM ones plus I could listen on FM if I was at home!

It's double bad news! Not only has Iain left but, Richie Anderson will be taking over BOTH shows despite the fact Iain was told that they didn't want the same presenter doing Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings.

well,
this sucks.
don't like Andersons stile, puts me off.
considdering the editor of bbc wm is also the editor of bbc coventry and warwickshire, the stations are going down hill fast!

Iain had the best listening figures the station ever had on a weekend! He said he had some big plans too. Here's what he said on Facebook


"So, most of you probably no, I no longer work at BBC West Midlands. I've had 2 fantastic years there doing some of my best radio work. I'm really proud of what I achieved on firstly the Saturday show and then for the last year, the Friday show as well.

I was supposed to be doing my last shows this weekend but because of, let's call it a 'mix up', I haven't been able to do that. Sorry, I had some very special things planned. Never mind!

Big thanks to Producer Jo and MarkyMark for making the last couple of years a frustrating, creative joy.


I left because the station wanted me to only do the Saturday show. They were adamant that they did not want one person doing those 2 shows as it sat awkwardly with them. As some of you know, I don't actually live in Birmingham, so the prospect of being in my car for 4 and a half hours a week for 2 hours of radio didn't particularly excite me. I'm a little surprised that they've replaced both shows with just 1 person after all that was said, but, hey ho.

I'm really proud to have given WM the highest figures they've had in that Saturday slot as well as winning them the Broadcaster of the Year award at last years Gillards and being part of their entry that won them Station of the Year.

Onwards and upwards guys - some new things are being discussed as we speak.

Peace out.

PS listen to last weeks show, I knew I was leaving and those shows are always the best - nothing to lose innit.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02y7mry

PPS for those who don't know (and I never mentioned it on WM cos I respect integrity and loyalty) I do a daily breakfast show on BBC Three Counties. So lucky to have such an incredible team and a supportive boss who doesn't buy into the 'dangerous' nonsense. She knows she can trust me, and I respect that. Anyway, there's a weekly best of podcast on iTunes. Dig."