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Anglian Radio to merge programming


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Old 07-11-2016, 16:48
up to the vocal
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Radio Today reports that Anglian Radio is to merge five stations into two, Another death knell to 'local radio' . There could possibly be ten redundancies.
I wonder if 'Breakfast with Dick' will survive......
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Old 07-11-2016, 17:31
Peace100
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http://radiotoday.co.uk/2016/11/angl...ions-into-two/
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Old 07-11-2016, 19:04
fmradiotuner1
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seems BBC Essex will be the most local and even radio essex after this and at least these are on DAB to so hope they get more people tuning in.
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Old 07-11-2016, 19:10
Amara
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Another stab in the back for local radio
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Old 07-11-2016, 19:23
SouthCity
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Another stab in the back for local radio
According to the format change requests they are recruiting more journalists & doing more sports coverage. Ofcom's research shows that local news & sport is highly valued by listeners, so they are always likely to approve this.
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Old 07-11-2016, 20:05
doug ital
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'A new news hub will be created at Radio Norwich’s premises to replace the one currently at Town 102, and extended bulletins will be provided at 1pm and 6pm weekdays.'

The article in Radio Today does NOT mention recruiting more journalists..It says as above they will be extending bulletins at 1PM and 6PM,that's just 2 bulletins stretched out to perhaps include longer items for feature, but this could be done with the existing journalists!

There WILL be blood on the carpet that's for sure!
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Old 07-11-2016, 20:15
SouthCity
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The article in Radio Today does NOT mention recruiting more journalists..It says as above they will be extending bulletins at 1PM and 6PM,that's just 2 bulletins stretched out to perhaps include longer items for feature, but this could be done with the existing journalists!
It's in the format change request form:

One larger and more viable station will be greatly beneficial to us, and will allow financial investment in areas where we can further develop our localness e.g. a new Newsroom, extra journalists and a larger Street Team.
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/asse...ge-Request.pdf
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Old 07-11-2016, 21:53
doug ital
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That is NO commitment to a bigger newsroom or more journalists
They are say e.g. For example these are the thing WE could do
There is absolutely NO guarantee they will do these things
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Old 07-11-2016, 23:00
Themaverick
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Shame... there will be a loss of jobs here and there will be nowhere to go.
Feel for everyone wondering what's next, never a good time - but on the run up to Christmas - terrible.

But makes sense to merge some, already questionable, programming and save money and resources. But only if they spend some money on making it better!

It's hardly that local anymore unfortunately.
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Old 08-11-2016, 06:50
hanssolo
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Guess the Anglian group is making a small profit but from the request
The competitive market in this region is dominated by well-funded highly networked national brands.
Like a lot of small radio groups with FM analogue small scale FM licences if they don't change they could potentially lose out to Heart, Smooth, Capital, Absolute, Kiss and new national digital stations, especially if there is a DSO in the next few years. Also internet groups like Google and Facebook are after local ad revenue.
Or go down the route like Orion and sell out to a larger radio group.

Hopefully the up to 10 presenter redunancies will be carefully done in a sensitive way (maybe the new Suffolk First station may take some on?) and new journalists and promotion staff will be taken on.
Norwich Radio is now on the trial small scale DAB service in stereo and the 5 stations could survive long term as independently owned.
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Old 08-11-2016, 07:03
satman17
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Anyone remember when Kevin Stewart took a swipe at GCAP about networking when town 102 started ?
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Old 08-11-2016, 10:50
Declan_McGrath1
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Once full deregulation happens I can see other radio groups doing this to cut costs down.
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Old 08-11-2016, 11:27
Peace100
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It would be nice to see them put on live programming in the evening and nights rather than the generic vt that currently goes out over the five stations, at least that would save 3 presenter roles.
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Old 08-11-2016, 11:44
simon243
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I suspect the idea is to save money, not find new ways of spending it.

Is this, I wonder, a last ditch attempt to stay independent and keep Celador at bay.
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Old 08-11-2016, 13:10
156418
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This is obviously terrible news for those affected, but if they are wanting to go down this route why not do it properly.

All this split link hide what's really happening from the listeners will result in awful output, if Radio Ipswich and Dream are merging then merge them, and do a decent job of it - then outside of the hours have live shared programs between Ipswich and Norwich and make it decent not some clumsily voice tracked split link nonsense.

The piece in the application about a new local voice tracked local early breakfast. Big whoop, might as well not bother as who cares where the prerecorded links were taped last Friday afternoon?

To be fair I'd forgotten that these stations existed although I work in the Colchester area I'd not heard of Dream for years and last listened at the time Bill Rollins did the Saturday evening (and it was live!)
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Old 08-11-2016, 17:47
The Joker
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It would be nice to see them put on live programming in the evening and nights rather than the generic vt that currently goes out over the five stations, at least that would save 3 presenter roles.
I've seen this same argument from you before. Perhaps you could explain some more?

The evening programme (albeit shared) has different content every day - recorded the same day - and all wrapped up in the individual stations imaging elements. Oh, & split links can (& do) go to each station when required.

I'm keen to know what would be achieved with a live show, that isn't being achieved now? How do you propose to increase audience & revenue?
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Old 08-11-2016, 19:13
suffolkblue
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I don't know why they will keep the station names as the localness will be gone. Why not do a complete rebrand name it radio Anglia or something. Such a shame but I won't miss Paul Carter from the beach. He is a terrible breakfast presenter. Great guy but terrible on the radio. I hope rob chandler gets the breakfast show but that's anyone's guess. Sad times as at least it was truly Local.
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Old 08-11-2016, 21:02
jon craig
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I don't know why they will keep the station names as the localness will be gone. Why not do a complete rebrand name it radio Anglia or something. Such a shame but I won't miss Paul Carter from the beach. He is a terrible breakfast presenter. Great guy but terrible on the radio. I hope rob chandler gets the breakfast show but that's anyone's guess. Sad times as at least it was truly Local.
Is it just me that finds this post mildly amusing? Let's get this right - you are bemoaning the possible loss of - in your words - a terrible breakfast presenter, because 'at least it was truly local'.

If you think he's terrible, don't you think others may share that view? How many 'normal' listeners are prepared to tolerate him being 'terrible' because he happens to be pressing buttons in Lowestoft rather than Ipswich or Norwich? How many 'normal' listeners would prefer a better show, hosted by a better presenter, even if it came from slightly further afield? My guess would be the vast majority.

Localness can win audience and breed loyalty if it's the right localness, delivered well. That in the main is up to date, punchy and relevant local news, and a bit of travel. And that type of localness can easily be delivered from Norwich, London, probably even the moon these days with the right support systems in place. Saying hello to Vera in Beccles, or mentioning a craft fare in Southwold is just box ticking and ultimately pretty pointless.

This week's announcement was inevitable. Yes, it is sad that there may be job losses involved, but for Anglia to remain competitive something like this was always on the cards. It may just be that being 'less local' will actually allow them to deliver 'better local radio', a bigger audience, and an improved bottom line.
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Old 09-11-2016, 12:54
coolskin
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We have at work, here in The Beach TSA of Lowestoft, just started to include the station on the rota again after years of not having it on due to the adverts.

Personally the music is quite good yet the general on air presentation and production is quite poor and I struggle to understand the presenters particulary the male newsreader. The adverts remain hurrendous to listen to - whilst you could say that about any local commercial station I dont have such a issue with the commercials on Heart for example.

Todays news really isnt anything we have not been expecting im afraid
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Old 09-11-2016, 13:32
Sophie_Greene
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I would have thought Heart would have the resources of Global to produce adverts, so probably an unfair comparison.
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Old 09-11-2016, 18:24
Mall
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So when will this merging happen?
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Old 09-11-2016, 23:52
Swing_jock
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Reading this doesn't surprise me at all. Anglian Radio are a very small company and for a time have been operating in the same way Tindle Radio set things out 10/20 yrs before! Difference is without the resources of the former parent company! This will bring job cuts in programming (for now) and there will be a forced change on the listener, after all if you're on the East Coast or in North Norfolk and happy with your breakfast show then you will have to except a change in personel! But it's happened before with other stations and it will happen again. The more concerning thing for those left behind working for the company is this... Anglian Radio will do very well to still be independent let's say in 3/5yrs from this point! I think this signals the end, and a buyout WILL come! My feeling is the intention to leave the stations with separate identity ( On-Air ) will allow a rebrand from a NEW owner much easier, ( no point rebranding now to rebrand again in a few years ) it's a shame, but a fact of small commercial radio ( I avoid using the term 'Local' ) That Died many years ago...!
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Old 16-11-2016, 12:40
coolskin
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christmas music started today on the beach on the 16th of november....i mean really
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Old 16-11-2016, 15:45
catherine91
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christmas music started today on the beach on the 16th of november....i mean really
Christmas music and lights were around in Norwich when I went shopping on Monday.

It shouldn't happen until 1st December if you ask me! Humbug!
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Old 16-11-2016, 22:08
east_boy_16
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"Fantasy" schedule time

Norwich, The Beach, North Norfolk - Rob Chandler (Breakfast), Geoff Hillyer (Mornings), Chris Marston (Drive)
Dream and Town - Wayne Bavin (Breakfast), Murphy (Mornings), Nick Pandolfi (Drive)
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