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Andy W
Joined: 02 Dec 2010
Posts: 140
Location: France
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 Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 8:50 am Post subject: Radio 2 Newsreaders - all change |
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It seems to be going unannounced but many of the regular voices that read the news on Radio 2 are to leave the station, or indeed have already left. Not sure when I last heard Fran or Fenella for instance,
The changes stem from a consultants report written by John Myers in June that effectively called for the merger of the Radio 2 and 6 Music news functions.
As a result the freelance newsreaders, and most if not all the readers were freelance, will no longer get any shifts. The news will instead be read by the BBC's Broadcast Journalists some of whom are currently heard on 6 Music and pop up on the overnight shifts during Janice, Alex and Richard's shows.
Longest serving with the station is Colin Berry (39 continuous years) and then Charles Nove (31 years).
Writing on her website Fran says: "After nearly twenty-two very happy years with Radio 2, the network is rationalising its news delivery and sensibly (but sadly for us) cutting its dedicated newsreaders in favour of
journalist-readers". |
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Ian Robinson
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Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 3598
Location: Chorley, Lancashire
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| Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 9:40 am Post subject: |
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Didn't Colin Berry retire years ago? There was a big deal about it, and then he came back as freelance (like a few others).
Shame to lose the freelancers but I must be honest and say that Fenella has never been particularly reliable as a newsreader. |
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Andy W
Joined: 02 Dec 2010
Posts: 140
Location: France
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| Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 9:54 am Post subject: |
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| Yes Colin retired in 2006 but hasn't stopped reading the news since. |
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Helen May
Joined: 10 Dec 2006
Posts: 19335
Location: Cheshire
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| Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 11:11 am Post subject: |
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Just found her website and sad to see the regulars seem to be no more.
For some reason just hearing Fran's voice made things seem ok when they often were far from it.
Seems to be the end of an era. 
H
_________________
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 |
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mark occomore
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 9955
Location: UK
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| Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 2:44 pm Post subject: |
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| Colin usual reads the news on overnights at the weekends and I heard Charles Nove the other week. Fran and Fenella have been reading the news too over the last few weeks. Probably has Charles and Colin have retired and it's the holiday season they offer their work during this time of year? Tina Richie who is also a regular on Radio 2, used to present the news on Radio 1 and is married to Nicky Cambell. |
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becky sharp
Joined: 01 Dec 2008
Posts: 6815
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| Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 3:52 pm Post subject: |
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| mark occomore wrote: | | Colin usual reads the news on overnights at the weekends and I heard Charles Nove the other week. Fran and Fenella have been reading the news too over the last few weeks. Probably has Charles and Colin have retired and it's the holiday season they offer their work during this time of year? Tina Richie who is also a regular on Radio 2, used to present the news on Radio 1 and is married to Nicky Cambell. |
Poor woman...  |
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R2Icon
Joined: 10 Sep 2009
Posts: 1444
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| Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 3:53 pm Post subject: |
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How long will it be before they merge 2 and 6 completely? It's already happening really- the signs are there.
It's a good idea- anything that saves money is a good idea- cos there's not much of that sloshing around the Beeb at the moment- the good old gravy train has ground to a halt- everybody off! |
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Ian Robinson
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Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 3598
Location: Chorley, Lancashire
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| Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 4:14 pm Post subject: |
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| Andy W wrote: | | Yes Colin retired in 2006 but hasn't stopped reading the news since. |
This might be a thick question... but if he retired why is he still on staff reading the news? |
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Andy W
Joined: 02 Dec 2010
Posts: 140
Location: France
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| Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 4:22 pm Post subject: |
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| mark occomore wrote: | | Probably has Charles and Colin have retired and it's the holiday season they offer their work during this time of year? |
Charles (Nove) hasn't retired he's been freelance for years. Charles Carroll, also freelance, was on last night but he's mainly on Radio 4 and the World Service.
Other freelance people likely to stop getting shifts are Ricky Salmon and Chandrika Chevli. Andrew Peach has a daily show on Radio Berkshire but also reads the news on the World Service. Tina Richie I'm assuming is freelance, not sure about Tom Sanders.
The last shifts for Charles Nove and Colin Berry will be this weekend. |
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mark occomore
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 9955
Location: UK
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| Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 5:14 pm Post subject: |
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| Ian Robinson wrote: | | Andy W wrote: | | Yes Colin retired in 2006 but hasn't stopped reading the news since. |
This might be a thick question... but if he retired why is he still on staff reading the news? |
They just work as freelancers and only get paid for what they do. |
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ColinB
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| Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 5:15 pm Post subject: |
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| Colin Berry has had a weekly show on BBC 3CR in Luton for years. |
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mark occomore
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 9955
Location: UK
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| Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 5:17 pm Post subject: |
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| R2Icon wrote: | How long will it be before they merge 2 and 6 completely? It's already happening really- the signs are there.
It's a good idea- anything that saves money is a good idea- cos there's not much of that sloshing around the Beeb at the moment- the good old gravy train has ground to a halt- everybody off! |
Who would present Breakfast? ( Oh now, a certain person on here will get excited putting that into their head  ) |
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Helen May
Joined: 10 Dec 2006
Posts: 19335
Location: Cheshire
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| Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 5:18 pm Post subject: |
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Is Colin Berry's show still running? I thought he'd given that up, maybe a couple of years ago.
H
_________________
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 |
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mark occomore
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 9955
Location: UK
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| Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 5:20 pm Post subject: |
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| ColinB wrote: | | Colin Berry has had a weekly show on BBC 3CR in Luton for years. |
Colin always used to read out the persons name for the Non Stop Oldies after the 3pm news on Steve Wright show. I remember when he covered for Richard Allinson once as he never turned up for his overnight show. |
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mark occomore
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 9955
Location: UK
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| Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 5:21 pm Post subject: |
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| Helen May wrote: | Is Colin Berry's show still running? I thought he'd given that up, maybe a couple of years ago.
H |
He did, but covers the odd show. |
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ColinB
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| Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 5:24 pm Post subject: |
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I don't think a merger between 6 Music and Radio 2 is a good idea at all. For a start, 6 Music has a completely different musical policy to Radio 2, and the presentation style is consistent with that. I'd hate the thought if such a station having to accomodate a range of music from some of the Uk's best indie bands alongside Cheryl Cole or Scissor Sisters - or, for that matter, having to put up with the likes of Chris Bloody Evans doing his bit at breakfast time.
There's already been one listener revolt to retain 6Music and that ould undoubtedly spark another one. It's one thing for Radio 2 to have completely lost any sense of direction and opted for across-the-board banality but for 6 Music...... no!! |
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gazmando
Joined: 15 Apr 2007
Posts: 560
Location: Huntingdon
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| Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 5:48 pm Post subject: |
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| Isn't it amazing how a thread about the newsreaders has turned into Colin having a dig at Chris Evans yet again!!!! |
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R2Icon
Joined: 10 Sep 2009
Posts: 1444
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| Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 6:14 pm Post subject: |
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| ColinB wrote: | I don't think a merger between 6 Music and Radio 2 is a good idea at all. For a start, 6 Music has a completely different musical policy to Radio 2, and the presentation style is consistent with that. I'd hate the thought if such a station having to accomodate a range of music from some of the Uk's best indie bands alongside Cheryl Cole or Scissor Sisters - or, for that matter, having to put up with the likes of Chris Bloody Evans doing his bit at breakfast time.
There's already been one listener revolt to retain 6Music and that ould undoubtedly spark another one. It's one thing for Radio 2 to have completely lost any sense of direction and opted for across-the-board banality but for 6 Music...... no!! |
The music has nothing to do with it Colin, it's down to folding green ones and there ain't enough to go around. It's no accident that several of 2 and 6's shows have been sub-contracted to the same production companies. It's also no accident that 6's presenters fill-in for 2's when they're away... it's just a short hop to the next stage, of 2 and 6 putting out the same shows at the same times outside of the normal daytime slots. They will of course try to hang onto their separate daytime identities but eventually even some of those slots will merge. It makes perfect sense financially. |
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Helen May
Joined: 10 Dec 2006
Posts: 19335
Location: Cheshire
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| Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 7:01 pm Post subject: |
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Several of R2 shows have always been subcontracted Rachel so there is nothing new there.
Also I don't think the merger would be allowed as there has to be a radio station that caters for people over the age of 50 and 6 Music doesn't do much of that. So I do think it's a non starter.
And to get back to the original topic, it's a great shame that the freelance newsreaders are going. The new lot sound completely soulless, I think I could do as well as some of them!
H
_________________
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 |
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Lord Evan Elpuss
Joined: 10 Dec 2006
Posts: 3415
Location: Cloud Cuckoo Land
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| Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 7:31 pm Post subject: |
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And you had a bit of practice on Jezza's show didn't you Aitch?
_________________
Lord Evan Elpuss, Your ideal job is a Lumberjack. |
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R2Icon
Joined: 10 Sep 2009
Posts: 1444
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| Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 7:48 pm Post subject: |
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| Helen May wrote: |
So I do think it's a non starter.
H |
It's already started, Helen. To anyone who has worked in large, ever- shrinking Government Departments, the signs are there as big as you like. You'll be surprised what is allowed when needs must. The over 50s will come out ok- so don't worry. The shows between 5am and 7pm will be the last to merge. The overnight shows will be first. |
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ColinB
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| Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 9:50 pm Post subject: |
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| R2Icon wrote: | | The music has nothing to do with it Colin... |
I disagree. I think it has everything to do with it. The station is called "6Music" after all, which gives a hint as to the station's bias. Its music policy is vastly different to the blandness of Radio 2's.
| R2Icon wrote: | | It makes perfect sense financially. |
It would make sense if the BBC reverted to having only one TV channel and only one or two network radio channels. Perhaps radio 2 should be given a radical new name - "The Light Programme". Yes, that's novel.
You can make the case for anything in financial terms, but in this case it would make no sense whatever. Not to me, anyhow. |
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Ian Robinson
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Joined: 11 Dec 2006
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Location: Chorley, Lancashire
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| Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 11:04 pm Post subject: |
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| 6Music has always been run by Radio 2 and the cost-cutting sharing of presenters has been going on for years. It's the just the newsreader issue that's new. |
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mark occomore
Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 9955
Location: UK
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| Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 4:41 am Post subject: |
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| 6 Music has it's own unique style like Radio 2 has it's own style. Why merge and spoil something. BBC don't want to go down that road and start to merge radio stations. |
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R2Icon
Joined: 10 Sep 2009
Posts: 1444
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| Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 7:08 am Post subject: |
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Well if you guys want to go along with your head in the clouds, brains in neutral and believe that things won’t change- then dig out sweethearts and fill your boots.
The BBC has had no increase in income for the last three years – in real terms a 10-15% reduction in cash- and it’s going to get worse before it gets better. The BBC is very good at spending money- that’s all they’ve ever done! Now suddenly they don’t have enough to go around. Panic! They’re following a standard tried and tested format to reduce cost. First you move as many staff as possible from payroll to capital expenditure. Contracting out. It all sounds very nice at the start. Don’t worry your job is safe, you’ll be at the same desk with the same people around you, doing the same job, it’s just you’ll get paid by someone else. I’ve said those words myself to many worried staff. The three-year contract rushes by like week off. Then you find that a n other company says they can do it more cheaply and you’re out on your ear but the great thing is, from the bosses point of view, you don’t have to sack anyone or make anyone redundant. Someone else does that. All you have to say is, Dave, about your bid for the Contract renewal, , yeah sorry sweetheart we’ve gone with the other lot.
2 and 6 will be “Talent Sharing” – the same show on both channels at the same time within the next 12 months. It won't be all the shows and it won't be all 2 on 6, there'll be some 6 on 2 too. Overnight and weekend shows first. They may (the production companies) keep everyone on reduced hours so that everyone at least gets a couple of shows a week but that is a messy expensive solution for the production companies. Better to just get rid of some of them. Gone. Move on. We at the listening end won’t really notice much change- there’ll still be music and there’ll still be presenters. It’s no biggy. Just life. |
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ColinB
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| Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 8:29 am Post subject: |
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| R2Icon wrote: | | Well if you guys want to go along with your head in the clouds, brains in neutral and believe that things won’t change- then dig out sweethearts and fill your boots. |
Perhaps if we're talking of savings, the BBC might consider ditching Radio 2 altogether and boost 6Music's budget? There are many ways to skin the proverbial cat. |
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R2Icon
Joined: 10 Sep 2009
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| Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 8:46 am Post subject: |
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| ColinB wrote: | | There are many ways to skin the proverbial cat. |
Indeed there is Colin, but you have to focus on who is making the decisions. No one is going to contract-out their own job are they? No. That would be career suicide. |
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Helen May
Joined: 10 Dec 2006
Posts: 19335
Location: Cheshire
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| Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 9:16 am Post subject: |
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Well Fran is reading the news this morning!
H
_________________
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 |
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Andy W
Joined: 02 Dec 2010
Posts: 140
Location: France
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| Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 10:41 am Post subject: |
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| Helen May wrote: | | Well Fran is reading the news this morning! |
Yes, I jumped the gun there didn't I! I have it on good authority that it's this month that changes are due. |
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Helen May
Joined: 10 Dec 2006
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Location: Cheshire
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| Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 10:49 am Post subject: |
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I wasn't doubting you Andy! I read her website yesterday and sounds like they won't be round for long.
It was nice to hear her voice though.
H
_________________
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 |
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Andy W
Joined: 02 Dec 2010
Posts: 140
Location: France
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| Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 11:01 am Post subject: |
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Agreed lovely to hear her this morning. Fran talks about the newsreader changes (describes herself as an "anachronism" as she only reads the news and not write it too) at the end of her last evening shift at the start of Janice Long's show:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01m35th |
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ColinB
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| Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 11:04 am Post subject: |
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| gazmando wrote: | | Isn't it amazing how a thread about the newsreaders has turned into Colin having a dig at Chris Evans yet again!!!! |
It was quite reasonable in the context! |
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Helen May
Joined: 10 Dec 2006
Posts: 19335
Location: Cheshire
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| Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 11:43 am Post subject: |
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| Andy W wrote: | Agreed lovely to hear her this morning. Fran talks about the newsreader changes (describes herself as an "anachronism" as she only reads the news and not write it too) at the end of her last evening shift at the start of Janice Long's show:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01m35th |
Has nobody reminded the Beeb that writing is completey different from speech broadcasting?
As I said earlier the new ones are soulless. So many times I've thought of writing a complaint about the delivery of the news but never got round to it.
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 |
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ColinB
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| Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 12:11 pm Post subject: |
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The problem here, Helen, is that the Beeb has gone down this road of engaging broadcast journalists to write and file their stories in a wide range of media - speech (for radio), in vision (for TV) and text (for web) - and are encouraged to "own" both the story and its presentation in all formats. What the Beeb is doing here is promoting multi-skilling and multi-platform presentation. Unfortunately, the role of the good old "Announcer" is being killed off as being the un-necessary link in the chain.
I wouldn't mind, but several so-called "journalist/presenters" can't convert text to speech properly without stumbling. |
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becky sharp
Joined: 01 Dec 2008
Posts: 6815
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| Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 2:28 pm Post subject: |
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| ColinB wrote: | | I'd hate the thought if such a station having to accomodate a range of music from some of the Uk's best indie bands alongside Cheryl Cole or Scissor Sisters. |
Me too.
| R2Icon wrote: |
The music has nothing to do with it |
The music has everything to do with it as far as I'm concerned and I'm not just going to sit and listen to stuff I don't like ...never have done and never will....
(Apologies, Andy, for going off topic...I have always loved the name Fenella Fudge ...what a delicious name )  |
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R2Icon
Joined: 10 Sep 2009
Posts: 1444
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| Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 3:02 pm Post subject: |
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| mark occomore wrote: | | 6 Music has it's own unique style like Radio 2 has it's own style. Why merge and spoil something. BBC don't want to go down that road and start to merge radio stations. |
Perhaps merge was the wrong word to use. There'll still be two stations- with different programmes most of the day, it's just that some of the time( mainly overnight and at weekends), some of the programmes will be the same one at the same time, in the same way that BBC HD sometimes puts out the same programme as BBC1 HD and sometimes it doesn't. As for having its own style - what utter rubbish, it's just a presenter ( could be anyone) playing music ( could be any music): it's the same tired old radio format that's been around since Adam was a boy, it's the same as any other music radio station. Man or woman, microphone and music. There's nothing special about 6, in the same way there's nothing special about 2 or 1 or twee or 4. The specialness is just about who you as a listener likes and who you don't. |
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ColinB
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| Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 3:14 pm Post subject: |
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| R2Icon wrote: | | There's nothing special about 6, in the same way there's nothing special about 2 or 1 or twee or 4. The specialness is just about who you as a listener likes and who you don't. |
Again, I disagree. There's a lot that's "special" about 6Music - and much that differentiates it from other BBC network stations. Not only does it most definitely have its own style, but it has a remit to present a mix of mainstream (but not too much) and non-mainstream music and it is also committed to bringing listeners unsigned bands and lesser-known acts. For me, that's good and what helps to distance it from the bland music policy of Radio 2. 6Music also employs presenters who, in the main, love the music they play on the station and are usually much more knowledgeable about the music and musicians they play than is the case with many of Radio 2's presenters.
6Music is indeed "different", and long may it be so - in the same way that BBC4 TV is vastly different from BBC1, BBC2 or BBC3. |
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R2Icon
Joined: 10 Sep 2009
Posts: 1444
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| Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 3:26 pm Post subject: |
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| ColinB wrote: | | R2Icon wrote: | | There's nothing special about 6, in the same way there's nothing special about 2 or 1 or twee or 4. The specialness is just about who you as a listener likes and who you don't. |
Again, I disagree. There's a lot that's "special" about 6Music - and much that differentiates it from other BBC network stations. Not only does it most definitely have its own style, but it has a remit to present a mix of mainstream (but not too much) and non-mainstream music and it is also committed to bringing listeners unsigned bands and lesser-known acts. For me, that's good and what helps to distance it from the bland music policy of Radio 2. 6Music also employs presenters who, in the main, love the music they play on the station and are usually much more knowledgeable about the music and musicians they play than is the case with many of Radio 2's presenters.
6Music is indeed "different", and long may it be so - in the same way that BBC4 TV is vastly different from BBC1, BBC2 or BBC3. |
Enjoy it while it lasts then.  I'm quite sure you know what you're talking about.
Oh and to stay on topic- I don't give a hoot who reads the News. I think it's good that new people are being given a go: far too often, especially in broadcasting, people hang on and hang on well past when they should've hung up their headphones, clogging up the system and preventing new talent from getting on the air. |
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ColinB
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| Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 4:22 pm Post subject: |
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| R2Icon wrote: | | Oh and to stay on topic- I don't give a hoot who reads the News. |
On that I do agree. Well, sort of. I have come to like the cosy, fireside nature of the recent family of Radio 2 newsreaders (who are also "station announcers" in the good old-fashioned BBC sense) but the important concern is that whoever is reading it should be able to read aloud and into a microphone in a manner that listeners can feel comfortable with. Unfortunately in this age of streamlining and cutbacks, the Beeb has a tendancy to go for the cheapest option regardless of quality.
That will be its downfall. |
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gazmando
Joined: 15 Apr 2007
Posts: 560
Location: Huntingdon
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| Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 5:38 pm Post subject: |
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Yes, Fenella Fudge is a delicious name Becky.
Don't forget the other tasty travel and newsreader names :- Andrew Peach,
Ricky Salmon, Louise Pepper, Colin Berry and John Marsh(mallow) all served up in some (Lynne) Bowles. |
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