R2OK!

Ian Robinson · Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2019 2:25 pm Post subject:

Zoe Ball now lost another 364,000 listeners, taking her to 7.9m - the lowest point since Wogan in 2009. This time last year Evans was getting 8.8m.

Evans himself, over at Virgin, has stalled. He's only added 3000 listeners this quarter and people are listening to him less.

The nationwide Heart breakfast with Jamie Theakston is up slightly but I suspect overrall still down on what the individual stations were getting. Greatest Hits Radio's attempt to nationalise is a disaster. Here in Lancashire they've gone from 77k to 11k in the quarter!

Most of the national BBC stations are static or dropping but the BBC say podcast listening is on the up (by 40% this quarter, they reckon) which does mean RAJARs are starting to look like an even poorer way of measuring listeners.

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19334 Location: Cheshire

Again I'm not surprised that the figures have fallen.

I'm not listening to much radio at the moment, not sure why but it's harder to find something that keeps my attention. Having huge parts of the day where I just don't turn on Radio 2 at all doesn't help either!

H
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88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

oldraver · Joined: 18 Dec 2006 Posts: 1175 Location: London

Maybe radio, like TV has changed in the way viewers and listeners tune in.
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Ian Robinson · Posted: Sat Oct 26, 2019 11:09 am Post subject:

Schizoidman · Joined: 20 Sep 2010 Posts: 1140 Location: Rural West Sussex

I gave up listening to Zoe Ball months ago. The show is too 'girlie' and I can't stand the pointless live cover versions that the guests sing.

I'm glad she's losing listeners, and I actually prefer Evans on Virgin.

Ian Robinson · Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2020 1:58 am Post subject:

Happy RAJARs day everyone!

Not much to report except that Zoe Ball and Radio 2 have reversed their decline and are on 8.2m and 14.48m listeners respectively. All the BBC stations except Radio 1 are back up, while nearly all the Heart and Capital stations are down.

Almost all those local stations that were replaced by national output have seen figures fall, while BBC local radio has gone up slightly and new digital stations (such as Scala) have done OK.

Classic FM is also up, with Tim Lihoreau on 1.8m at breakfast. Absolute Radio's Dave Berry gets 2.2m while Chris Evans (who? - Ed.) is stuck on 1.1m on whatever station he left Radio 2 for.

Angela W · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 7202 Location: North Yorkshire

That's strange then because on the Today programme this morning they said Zoe Ball had lost a million listeners since she took over from the ginger whinger.
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Pirate Johnnie Walker played my request on 11 April 2009

oldraver · Joined: 18 Dec 2006 Posts: 1175 Location: London

I think that maybe it means she lost 1.14 million listeners before pulling 335,000 back over the last quarter of 2019, Angela.

If anyone has found a remotely decent breakfast show, then all suggestions gratefully received. To my knowledge, none exist. I find doing random Listen Again progs, like Soul Music or DID, are more suited to my delicate self.

BTW, I believe the licence fee is worth it for the radio alone...these Orwellian philistines must not be allowed to spread any more of their political manure over our green and pleasant land. Which wouldn't be the 'Churchillian paradise' they claim to want to revisit, if it wasn't for the good old BBC.

Mind you...that Tony Hall has been a total disaster. As are most of the management. Why, he even signed up for Brit Box! Who would pay to watch repeats? Clearly these people don't even watch TV. Off with their heads. Don't think they've had a decent DG since Blll Cotton.

Sorry...gone off on one there. Time for my medication.
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Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19334 Location: Cheshire

It's them that need the medication not you Raver!!

Totally agree about Tony Hall and especially Brit Box Rolling Eyes

As for a breakfast show can you get Magic Soul in your area? I don't think I can apart from online. Richard Allinson is there 7am-10am so he's been saying all this week while on Drivetime there. I'm trying to get organised so I can get into the habit of using my tablet instead of the radio (once I've got up that is!) so I may give him a try.

H
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88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

oldraver · Joined: 18 Dec 2006 Posts: 1175 Location: London

I can get Magic Soul, H. I'll have to check on the DAB n the kitchen, but I certainly get it on my portable DAB, which is DAB , apparently, which means I can get Gold on that one, but not the kitchen Roberts.

I do like Magic Soul, until they play something I'm not over keen on, then I just flick through stations until I do. If I'm sitting on a sweltering swimming baths balcony for a couple of hours watching my granddaughter training, it helps to pass the time. I'm sure the other spectators think I'm utterly mad and they'd probably be right, sitting there with earphones in and tapping my feet to the beat. It saves me having to make conversation!

So tomorrow morning, I'll tune in to see if Richard is still on. Sounds like he's covering for someone. I read something earlier in the week about Magic, which was very complimentary. I just wish someone would open a 50/60's station. It should be the Beeb, as all they're done with R2 essentially, is to try and compete with the commercial stations, which shouldn't be their remit at all. Steve Wright played Buddy's Everyday yesterday and said 'genius'. We know that, Steve. Tell your bosses!

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/feb/04/magic-radio-indestructible-easy-listening-streaming
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Ian Robinson · Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2020 1:35 pm Post subject:

Ian Robinson · Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2020 1:37 pm Post subject:

Agreed re: Tony Hall. He's been a useless DG and jumping ship as its about to get more difficult shows what sort of man he is.

As for BritBox - it's a good idea in theory. If there was more obscure archive stuff on there it'd be great, but not having it available as an app on Roku, Amazon, Now etc is just daft. As is not having BBC Sounds as an app on televisions. This is basic stuff.

Angela W · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 7202 Location: North Yorkshire

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19334 Location: Cheshire

oldraver · Joined: 18 Dec 2006 Posts: 1175 Location: London

I wonder if 'Alexa' can get stations that you wouldn't normally reach, H?

Not that I'm suggesting you get one. But just curious. If anyone out of the Magic reach has one of these things, then maybe you could ask 'her'.

But I understand if you don't want to admit to having one...and I certainly don't.

Have one, that is... Laughing

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Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19334 Location: Cheshire

LOL @Raver!

I'm not sure about Alexa, I was given one (by a youngster Wink

) but it's still in its box in a cupboard where it will stay......

I emailed Richard A to ask if it was on DAB and his reply was DAB+ followed by 'don't ask'......! Neither of my Roberts are DAB+. The next one after my newer one is I think, the Stream94i

You can get it on a phone or tablet but I don't know about you but it's a faff especially in the morning....... I just want to flick a switch on the radio at that time of day!

H
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88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

becky sharp · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6814

oldraver · Joined: 18 Dec 2006 Posts: 1175 Location: London

oldraver · Joined: 18 Dec 2006 Posts: 1175 Location: London

Some much needed good news (no, Boris hasn't resigned)

Carnage is leaving!!!

https://www.musicweek.com/media/read/radio-2-boss-lewis-carnie-quits-the-bbc/078895
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Ian Robinson · Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2020 1:42 pm Post subject:

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19334 Location: Cheshire

My first thought when I saw it was 'great' but like Ian you wonder who we will get in his place. He has been a disaster though.

H
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88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

Ian Robinson · Posted: Thu May 14, 2020 9:36 am Post subject:

Latest RAJARs are out today and everyone's interpreting them differently to claim victory!

The headline is that Radio 2 has lost about a million listeners over the past year, going from 15.3m this time last year to 14.3m

Zoe Ball is still the country's top breakfast show, but on 8.1m from 9m 12 months ago. (If you think that's bad, Roman Kemp has lost nearly half-a-million just in 3 months on Capital)

Heart's Jamie and Amanda have also lost listeners but nearly every other breakfast show has gone up, including Chris Evans at Virgin, Chris Moyles at Radio X and Tim at Classic FM. Lauren Laverne has got 6Music's highest-ever breakfast ratings.

Generally, listening to BBC stations has dropped 3.2% and listening to commercial stations has gone up 3.6%. Just seems to be so many commercial stations now they're chipping away at the BBC just in sheer volume even if individually some of them aren't doing that well.

One digital-only stand-out for me is Scala, which has added 25% to it's 2019 audience - now on 310,000 listeners.

Fog on the Tyne · Joined: 09 Dec 2006 Posts: 1090

I've started listening to Julia Hartley-Brewer's breakfast show on Talk Radio, refreshing change from Five Live and Radio 4.
Still try and listen to SoTs with Tony B, Gambo and Johnny Walker but currently more on catch-up than live
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The wheel keeps on turning...
This fool made it round.

Ian Robinson · Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2022 10:33 pm Post subject:

Latest RAJARs are out and not much movement across channels, but here's some highlights:

BBC Radio 1 on 8.97m with Greg James going up to 4.75m

BBC Radio 2 up to 14.87m with Zoe Ball going up to 7.5m

BBC Radio 3 down from 2.17m to 1.99m

BBC Radio 4 is also down from 10.76m to 10.48m

34.5m listen live to BBC Radio every week

Greatest Hits Radio up to 3.38m

Hits Radio Manchester, which used to be Key 103, is still plummeting. 239,000 now compared to 400,000 before the rebranding.

Boom Radio has only gone up 9000 (to 242,000) but those people are listening for over 2hrs more each week.

Absolute network up to 5.3m

Heart network up to 10.27m

Virgin the same but Chris Evans has passed the 1m listener mark.

Times Radio drops by 135,000 from 637,000 to 502,000

Ian Robinson · Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2022 12:42 am Post subject:

Latest RAJARs are out, and overall radio listening is up, but the BBC is down slightly with Radio 3, Radio 4, 6 Music and 5 Live being worst hit.

Radio 2 is fairly static, with Zoe Ball slightly increasing her figures

Chris Evans has lost 100,000 listeners year-on-year at Virgin, while Chris Moyles has added them at Radio X

Simon Mayo has helped Greatest Hits Radio reach 4.1m listeners (although Scala has dropped now he's left there)

Boom Radio now has just under half-a-million listeners - twice what they had a year ago.

oldraver · Joined: 18 Dec 2006 Posts: 1175 Location: London

No great surprise about 6 Music, which has largely gone to the dogs.

LBC have drawn level with 5 Live, which is not surprising given the strength of the daytime presenters. And they can opinionate. I do like Adrian Chiles, though. But what is Naga doing on there? Jeez. 5 Live in the evenings is a different beast altogether. Chappers is worth his weight in gold. The other sports presenters aren't too shabby, either. Ditto Colin Murray and Dotun Adebayo.

Nice to see Chris Evans is being found out. Compare and contrast with the style of Simon Mayo. I only usually hear him once a week, on the car radio, but it's refreshing.

The rest of the week at that time, I tend to listen to Nicky Horne, who is the best thing about Boom, in my humble.
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Ian Robinson · Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2023 12:01 pm Post subject:

Latest RAJARS are out and not much movement for Radio 2, with 14.2m listners compared to 14.4m previous quarter.

Boom is up 20% to 530,000 and Greatest Hits Radio is up 29% to 5.3m. Be interesting to see how much it goes up next time!

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19334 Location: Cheshire

Yes it will be interesting Ian.

Heard Roger Day say tonight that Boom figures are up 50% in a year. I don't listen all the time but there are shows I like very much.

H
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88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

Fog on the Tyne · Joined: 09 Dec 2006 Posts: 1090

Greatest Hits Radio seems to be growing well and it'll probably get a big boost with the arrival of Ken Bruce in April
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The wheel keeps on turning...
This fool made it round.

oldraver · Joined: 18 Dec 2006 Posts: 1175 Location: London

Between them, Greatest Hits and Boom will make a huge dent in R2's audience share.

Boom are now going to go for the local radio audience.

https://inews.co.uk/culture/radio/golden-oldie-station-ken-bruce-listeners-radio-2-bbc-local-radio-garden-shed-2132972?ito=twitter_share_article-top
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oldraver · Joined: 18 Dec 2006 Posts: 1175 Location: London

Boom are doing okay. They also play a fair amount of new stuff as well. Noel Edmonds..er Gallagher's High Flying Birds this morning.

Greatest Hits as well. It's such a pity that Simon's show is on at the same time as Nicky Horne's.

https://inews.co.uk/culture/radio/boom-radio-more-listeners-ken-bruce-quits-bbc-radio-2-2346496
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Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19334 Location: Cheshire

I'm pleased Boom are doing so well as I listen to it quite a lot. Not all day but I enjoy what I hear which is the main thing!

I've listened to Ken a few times but for some reason I'm not an everyday listener as yet in his time slot.

The next set of figures will be very interesting for sure!

H
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88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

oldraver · Joined: 18 Dec 2006 Posts: 1175 Location: London

I listen to Boom mostly as well. Daytime, at least, otherwise it'll be Five Live for sport mostly. But now the football season is drawing to a close, maybe more Boom. Especially the Easy Hour, while I'm in the kitchen.

I'm looking forward to seeing Popmaster on TV. I try and listen to it whenever possible, and then switch back over to Boom, unless the Bay City Rollers or something else I can't handle is playing. But I do enjoy the top five at 11 on Boom, as long as it's no later than 1974!

Not only that, it's the relaxed 'vibe' that Boom seems to have. I really enjoy David Lloyd's show.
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life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19334 Location: Cheshire

Someone else who enjoys the Easy Hour Raver! You just never know what's going to pop up.

H
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88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

oldraver · Joined: 18 Dec 2006 Posts: 1175 Location: London

And quite a few that are new to me, H. It's a cracking hour. Pity there's no listen again for it.
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life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19334 Location: Cheshire

I was about to post that too Raver! I also wish there was a 'listed' playlist if you get what I mean so you could at least find the track on Spotify/You Tube or the likes.

H
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88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

oldraver · Joined: 18 Dec 2006 Posts: 1175 Location: London

Snap! again, H. The only chance you get is if you're on the webpage and only then, it's the last five tracks played. It's so annoying and frustrating.

Caught this beauty last night. I do love Jo Stafford!

A Fool Such As I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvcuKOdJGBE&t=15s
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Angela W · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 7202 Location: North Yorkshire

There is a playlist search where you put in the day and time from a drop down list, it looks like you can go back for the last seven days.
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Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19334 Location: Cheshire

Oh I'll have a look at that Angela. Thank you!

H
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88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

oldraver · Joined: 18 Dec 2006 Posts: 1175 Location: London

Angela, you beauty!
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life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans