R2OK!

Ian Robinson · Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 1:59 pm Post subject: New Schedule announced!

From Media Guardian:

Mark Radcliffe and Stuart Maconie are getting a prime time evening slot on Radio 2 as part of a shakeup that sees specialist shows pushed to the margins of the schedule.

Radcliffe, who currently presents a nightly 90-minute show at 10.30pm, will get an extra half an hour of airtime when he is partnered by Maconie between 8pm and 10pm from Monday to Thursday.

The station has also signed up Radio 1 veteran Steve Lamacq to present a weekly show when the new schedule comes into effect on April 16.

Radcliffe and Maconie will be broadcast live from Manchester and play a role in Radio 2's coverage of occasional live events such as Cambridge Folk Festival and the BBC Jazz Awards.

Its prime time status means Paul Jones's rhythm and blues show and Mike Harding's folk show move forward an hour to 7pm on Mondays and Wednesdays respectively.

Specialist shows such as Big Band Special on Mondays and Nigel Ogden: The Organist Entertains on Tuesdays are being moved back to 10pm.

Also relegated to the 10pm slot are reggae and alternative 60s shows, which will appear on Wednesdays, and rock'n'roll programming on Thursdays.

The station's "ad hoc" music documentaries will now be heard later in the evening, at 10.30pm on Tuesdays and at 11pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Nick Barraclough is to present a series of specials on country music in place of his hourly Wednesday night country show, which comes to the end of its run on April 11.

Sounds of the 70s, presented by Cockney Rebel singer Steve Harley, is being moved from 10pm on Tuesdays to a graveyard midnight slot on Thursdays.

The start of Janice Long's nightly show is being moved back from midnight to 12.30am.

Lamacq's new show will occupy the 11.30pm slot on Wednesdays. The DJ will continue working for Radio 1 and 6Music.

Desmond Carrington's Tuesday show, Music Goes Round, and the Bob Harris country music show on Thursdays will remain in their 7pm slots.

Radio 2 controller Lesley Douglas decided to shake up the schedule after veteran bandleader Humphrey Lyttelton announced he would present fewer Best Of Jazz programmes.

Lyttelton will return to the airwaves in July when he takes over the 10.30pm slot on Monday nights from Jools Holland. The pair will alternate every three months.

"I am delighted to be able to give both folk and rhythm and blues earlier slots, giving both vibrant genres a high profile," Ms Douglas said.

"Mike Harding and Paul Jones brilliantly reflect their respective music scenes. Country music remains high on the network's agenda - with Bob Harris's regular country show complemented by Nick Barraclough's new specials, which will give a platform to the breadth of country artists."

http://media.guardian.co.uk/radio/story/0,,2041426,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=4

Ian Robinson · Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 2:03 pm Post subject:

My first thoughts are that it's all a bit of a mess that Lesley has (as usual) rushed into.

gfloyd · Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 2:23 pm Post subject:

Its a mess. The specialist shows are being margalised to the middle of the night. Basically she is putting Maconie & Radcliffe directly against Geoff Lloyd on Virgin. Its just the BBC trying to play commercial again.
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Behind Geddon's Wall · Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 2:41 pm Post subject:

Specialist music is not the stuff to listen to on final wind-down. Mrs G and I regularly listened to Mark in the late evening. His (and Others) comments were well received.

I doubt that going head to head with the large commercial stations from 7 to 10 is such a good Idea. It also gives the controller's true opinion of specialist music.

Now may be the time to get an aerial and invest in DAB.
_________________
Geddon

You simply mustn't blame yourself -- the days were perfect
And so were exactly what I was born to spoil
For I am the Rider to the World's End
Bound across the cinder causeway
From the furnace to the quarry
Through the fields of oil

Ian Robinson · Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 2:49 pm Post subject:

I love the way the Controller has finally done what I suspect she's always wanted - and blamed Humphrey Lyttleton!

Nickherts · Joined: 12 Mar 2007 Posts: 15 Location: Hertfordshire

I agree that its a bit of a mess with the specialist shows being split in two. The Album Chart show looks a potential casualty.

More logical would be:
2.00 Steve Wright
4.30 Chris Evans
6.30 Stuart Maconie
8.00 Specialist Programmes
10.30 Mark Radcliffe

Lady Boil De Spudswell · Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Posts: 429 Location: Location, Location

All looks pretty dreadful to me, particularly the bonkers decision to shunt Sounds of the 70's to midnight! Why keep it at all if that's the regard you show for it?! At one point it was going to be extended remember?!

Still no Baker then Lesley?... Ah well, roll on quarter 3... doubtless for more unedifying disappointments.
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John W · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 3367 Location: Warwickshire, UK

mcl · Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 4:22 pm Post subject:

John W · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 3367 Location: Warwickshire, UK

For me Steve Harley's late late show is the only disappointment. I think he deserves a weekend slot in place of Ross or Dermot.

I don't see much wrong with this schedule. At last we have a regular mid-evening programme that looks at how popular music is progressing, with the two greatest most appropriate presenters, Maconie and Radcliffe, and it's on at the same time as all the rubbish TV.

The next stage, in two years time, will be to move those guys even earlier, starting drivetime. Evans can have Wogan's slot for all I care Laughing

And then we'll have specialist shows from 7.30- midnight

John W

Mark Mayhew · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 2897

Very disappointed to see the news about Steve Harley being shunted off to 12 o'clock midnight.

Another programme I won't be listening to live anymore-I have to be up at 5.30am each day so sadly I'll have to listen via the Listen Again feature if I remember.

All in all I will be tuning in less to Radio 2 over any given week-I'll certainly be trying out Smooth in future where at least the presenters I like are given decent airtime slots.

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

Does this mean Stuart will not be able to cover for Chris know more? Why are they putting two good broadcasters together? Does this mean when they are covering shows they can work on their own?

It looks like they are playing with commerical radio as they tend to have high profile shows running up to 8pm and past.

It doesn't look like a big major shake up just adding an early evening show between the specialist shows?

gfloyd · Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 5:14 pm Post subject:

gfloyd · Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 5:15 pm Post subject:

OMG!

We might get Pete Mitchell covering the daytime shows.
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His name was ernie ........ and he drove the fastest milk cart in the west.....

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

Ian Robinson · Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 5:59 pm Post subject:

The decision to pair up Radcliffe and Maconie at 8pm probably does Stuart a lot of favours - he can probably get back home to Birmingham after a show with less hassle than when he has to be in London.

I'm very much looking forward to that show, although I would prefer it to be later when there are less demands for my time.

I'm sad that The Album Chart Show appears to be going, as it's one of my favourites. One of the few shows on the station that actually tells you about new stuff out that week (though I suppose Maconie & Radcliffe will cover that).

But the rest just seems a mess: they should put the comedies and 30 minute shows between 7 and 8, with the specialists at 10 every day. And what's the point of an utterly random Steve Lamacq show shoved in there?

essexlady · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 348 Location: Essex

At least it means I can LIsten Again to the Stuart and Mark show between 5p.m. and 7p.m. as I don't usually listen to Radio 2 between 8 and 10p.m. Is Stuart keeping his Saturday show?

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

Simon Mayo continues, but with the music club on Mondays 23.30- 00.30

http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2007/03_march/23/radio2.shtml

Ella Sailyour · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 579 Location: Marbella, Spain

I'm tempted to say there's always "Listen Again" - but, in truth, there's not a lot to "Listen Again" to. Is there?

And what's with stuffing Steve Harley over to the graveyard shift? Is he the next to get the shove?

It's hopeless. And Radio 2 is fast becoming a lost cause.

Ella
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Ian Robinson · Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 8:50 pm Post subject:

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

Ian Robinson · Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 9:04 pm Post subject:

I'd agree with Ernie that it's a commercial line-up. Not just up against Smooth, but similar shows on Virgin, Century, and even 6Music.

On the other hand, I can see it complimenting my speech listening on Radio 4 and BBC7 (which isn't too bad a thing).

It's all these half-hour starts that are messy.

Mark Mayhew · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 2897

Unless I have missed the news is Stuart still keeping his Saturday Show?

Lady Boil De Spudswell · Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Posts: 429 Location: Location, Location

iain_smith · Guest

iain_smith · Guest

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

Behind Geddon's Wall · Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 10:28 pm Post subject:

No changes at 5pm,then. More's the pity.
_________________
Geddon

You simply mustn't blame yourself -- the days were perfect
And so were exactly what I was born to spoil
For I am the Rider to the World's End
Bound across the cinder causeway
From the furnace to the quarry
Through the fields of oil

Ella Sailyour · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 579 Location: Marbella, Spain

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

Julia · Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 10:58 pm Post subject:

hello guys - quick question...
*Is Stuart keeping his Saturday show?*
(as Mark M says - I'd like to know too please Smile

How did you find this out Ian? keep up the good work!

Julia

iain_smith · Guest

It's going to be difficult for Stuart to present his saturday show as well as his new shows monday to thursday and his sunday show on six music.I'm betting we'l hear about a new saturday line-up in the days ahead.

gfloyd · Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 2:45 am Post subject:

Lord Evan Elpuss · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 3417 Location: Cloud Cuckoo Land

John W · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 3367 Location: Warwickshire, UK

Mark Mayhew · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 2897

I agree John W 100%.

Simply put most evenings TV viewing is rubbish-hence I usually try and find something on the radio to listen to-sadly that does not usually include Radio 2 although I do like to tune regularly into Steve Harley with his 70's show-sadly that is being moved to much later in the evening as a consequence of the reshuffle.

Certainly will give Messrs Maconie and Radcliffe new show a try.

Wonder if a re-jig of the weekend schedules is going to be made shortly.

gfloyd · Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 11:10 am Post subject:

I doubt Maconie & Radcliffe will play much music. I suspect they will talk a lot, mainly to each other. Would I prefer this or Paul Jones followed by Suzi Q on a Thursday night. I think I know the answer to that one.
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His name was ernie ........ and he drove the fastest milk cart in the west.....

Ian Robinson · Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 12:16 pm Post subject:

Cherskiy · Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 12:29 pm Post subject:

I'm not sure how to react to all this change. Ultimately I suspect I'll end up listening to less R2 than at present, which appears to be the way of things at the moment.

It would appear that the specialist programmes are being shoved into "Listen Again" territory, which will almost certainly mean that they are ripe for cancellation when the audience figures show big drops in listeners. Like John, I usually listen to the radio when I'm working on the computer, so get to hear the wide variety of output on week nights between 1900 and 2100, however I suspect I won't bother to "Listen Again" to much of the displaced output because ultimately I'm not that bothered about missing "The Organist Entertains" etc. (sorry, Simon) and don't have the time in any case - probably the only one I would try to catch would be Mike Harding's acoustic and folk show.

As for Radcliffe and Maconie - they have a good rapport and undoubtedly will do well together, but I can't help but think LD has amalgamated their shows for a greater purpose, possibly to free up the Saturday schedule for a further shake-up (possibly because the present line-up may not be working) and because she can't see them fitting into a revised weekday line-up as separate entities. To me, this is a pity, as we're getting less airtime with them and the features I like about both shows will no doubt disappear or change out of all recognition.

I could have almost predicted Steve Lamacq getting some sort of slot because he did well sitting in for Bob Harris for a few weeks last year - he's eloquent, knowledgeable and a decent broadcaster. This of course, qualifies him for a graveyard slot as he is not a big name.

R2 is changing out of all recognition at the moment.
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mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK