R2OK!

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19335 Location: Cheshire

Just read this:-

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/aboutthebbc/posts/Why-we-are-changing-Radio-2s-overnight-schedule

Nothing much we didn't already know but at least Richard Allinson gets some praise for presenting Breakfast all of last week.

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

ruddlescat · Joined: 16 Sep 2010 Posts: 18010 Location: Near Chester

Ian Robinson · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2014 11:34 pm Post subject:

It does seem curious that Allinson has presented Breakfast for 6 days in the two weeks since the schedule changes were announced. Almost as if Chris Evans has been sending a message to his bosses about how good Allinson is.

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19335 Location: Cheshire

It is strange. Shame he wasn't on this morning Sad

H

PS heard your email on JV the other day!
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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

nod · Joined: 24 Dec 2006 Posts: 3558

Quote from the responses to the blog...

"Why don't you loose say Steve and do repeats between 2 and 5pm? "

I thought they'd be repeating The Big Show for the last 20 years Wink

nod · Joined: 24 Dec 2006 Posts: 3558

Ian Robinson · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 1:57 pm Post subject:

Lord Evan Elpuss · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 3415 Location: Cloud Cuckoo Land

I sent off a complaint about this and here's the reply that I got:
Thanks for getting in touch with the BBC.

We're sorry to learn that you're unhappy with BBC Radio 2's recent announcement about changes to the station's overnight schedule. We’ve received a very wide range of feedback on the planned schedule changes and in order to use our TV Licence fee resources efficiently, this response aims to answer the key concerns, but we apologise in advance if it doesn’t address your specific points in the manner you would prefer.

Recognising listener concerns, we discussed the issues raised with Radio 2's Controller, Bob Shennan, who has explained the following on his "About the BBC" Blog:

"A number of listeners have expressed concern about Radio 2’s recent announcement regarding forthcoming changes to our overnight schedule. Those changes will see the creation of a new, live, seven nights a week show called After Midnight, from midnight – 3am, but a reduction in the overall number of live hours broadcast through the night. I wanted to take this opportunity to explain a bit more about the reasons behind these changes.

The last licence fee settlement has meant that all parts of the BBC have faced substantial cuts to their budgets, with all areas across the business having to make substantial savings. Radio 2 has been making significant savings for the past two years both on and off-air through changes to our schedule and redundancies for a number of staff. But despite our efforts, this has not been enough. We have had to take additional tough measures including further staff reductions and merging departments across the radio stations.

Our programming is always the last place we look to make savings as we strive to maintain the distinctiveness of the schedule, through the UK’s most popular presenters, award-winning documentaries, live musical performances and the most diverse range of music played on any radio station in the UK. However, to maintain that distinctiveness with less funding we have had to look at all areas of our output to see where extra savings could be made. This has led to us to making the tough decision to reduce the number of hours of live programming overnight and this includes, regrettably, losing Richard Allinson’s two weekend programmes. A decision like this has been incredibly difficult to make, as live programming across the station is hugely important to me - as I know it is to Radio 2’s overnight audience. That’s why I have also taken this opportunity to create the new show, After Midnight, retaining two of our much-loved presenters, Janice Long (Mon-Thurs) and Alex Lester (Fri-Sun), from midnight – 3am......Wherever possible, I try to avoid repeating programmes, but the shows that will be airing on Monday to Wednesday from 3-5am – Sounds of the 60s, Sounds of the 70s, and Sounds of the 80s - are of the very highest quality. They are presented by three first class broadcasters in Brian Matthew, Johnnie Walker and Sara Cox, and feature some great music, features and interviews. Thursday and Friday night programme details will be confirmed at a later date.

I do understand why listeners are disappointed to hear that these programming changes are being made and I hope After Midnight becomes one of the network’s most popular shows."

Whilst we appreciate that you may remain unhappy, we very much hope the above helps to clarify the context behind the planned changes and why they are necessary.

Thank you again for getting in touch.

Kind Regards

Gerard Magennis

BBC Complaints
If anyone else wants to complain about this, there's a link to the complaint form on this thread: http://r2ok.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=8443
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Lord Evan Elpuss, Your ideal job is a Lumberjack.

graham b · Joined: 23 Sep 2010 Posts: 211 Location: Wakefield

According to the schedule Richard is covering for Evans again next Monday.

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19335 Location: Cheshire

Thats good!

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 Jun 26, 2014 11:21 am Post subject:

According to my friend on the inside, no-one at Radio 2 is happy about the changes either. The cuts are being forced on them, and the whole of BBC radio have tried their best but haven't achieved the targets and now have to be even more ruthless.

ruddlescat · Joined: 16 Sep 2010 Posts: 18010 Location: Near Chester

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19335 Location: Cheshire

There is a letter in next week's Radio Times about the changes, they give more or less the same response from Bob Shennan.

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: Fri Jun 27, 2014 10:12 am Post subject:

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

Radio 2 shouldn't be moving towards the exit of live shows. The station is going the wrong way of bringing in overnight automated just like commercial radio do.

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

Dropping TV celebs would have saved money and keeping the main presenters as guess they don't come cheap?

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19335 Location: Cheshire

ruddlescat · Joined: 16 Sep 2010 Posts: 18010 Location: Near Chester

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

ruddlescat · Joined: 16 Sep 2010 Posts: 18010 Location: Near Chester

So therefore the BBC could dispense with her services subject to a period of notice without any risk of legal action for the reasons I have already stated Smile

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Are you ready for a Ruddles?

Colin · Joined: 26 Sep 2013 Posts: 916

I'd be surprised if any of those are on staff contracts - especially Allinson who I reckon works for a temp agency!!!

Anyhow, terms and condition have very little to do with it. They could pay off anybody at any time - it might cost them, that's all. It's all about box-ticking and button-pushing. If the Trust put the block on Shennan dispensing with Feltz (although I'm not sure it's the Trust's job to meddle in such decisions) it was probably to remind Shennan and other department heads that they have to maintain a balance of staff on gender, age, sexuality, race other cultural grounds. He's obviously under pressure to maintain a presence of middle-aged white, middle-class women on the roster so his hands are tied.

I was recently involved in a production for BBC4 (transmission TBA but probably end-Aug or early Sept), and the "tick-box" pages were unbelievable in that it asked for an analysis of every on-screen contributor, production team member, crew member, post-production services employee etc etc. Being a programme that comes into the "rock" category, ours was woefully lacking on any kind of "balance" in terms of the above at all but it still passed scrutiny.

It's no wonder there's no much discontent in broadcasting these days.

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19335 Location: Cheshire

Even Paul Donovan writing in today's Sunday Times (more about music and something about to begin on R3) says 'Radio 2 is more personality than music these days'.............

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

Colin · Joined: 26 Sep 2013 Posts: 916

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19335 Location: Cheshire