R2OK!

NickSheffield · Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Posts: 508

The Togmeister wades into the debate:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/terrywogan/7280476/Radio-2-did-the-impossible-so-why-tell-it-to-stop.html

Thing is, what Wogan doesn't seem to get, is that if Radio 2 continues in its attempt to appeal to everyone, it will eventually appeal to no-one.

Personally - I don't think it's about generation. Radio 2 attracted me 10 years ago at the age of 15 because, yes it was witty and inviting, but also because of Janice Long, Johnnie Walker, Richard Allinson, Mark Radcliffe, Mark Harding, Desmond Carrington and their knowledge of music. They care about their programmes. Radio 2 felt like a true musical academy - it just doesn't feel that way any more.

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

I agree Nick. In years gone by everyone had their favourite programmes/presenters, daytime or off-peak you knew when they were on and you knew what music you would hear.

Daytime now is just for one audience. They might play an odd light track but in the main daytime is aimed squarely at pop/chart past and present, and that is just for one audience, a big audience of course, but folks who will just leave the radio on all day because in the main it's the same pap on all day for one audience.

Even Radio 3 does not do that. They recognise that they have different listeners, so their Breakfast show and their Classical Collection are for the lighter listeners, while before lunch Composer of the Week is for the close-listening heavy brigade and often the Lunchtime Concert or the Afternoon on 3 spot is also heavy like Schumann or Brahms. CotW this week was Bebop jazz - 5 hours in a week!

Radio 3 is the shining light of BBC radio!
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John W

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

I don't think the trust are saying no Radio 2 don't need to attract younger listeners. I think Radio 2 needs to find a balance what listener they are attracting to each show? The station has a healthy balance. It's the content which is put into some of the shows. IE : Music & what is added around it. There is know need constant reminding of the stations fequency. Tighter links with more interest put into the music played. There as a good example listening to Richard Madeley he does tight links. Richard Allinson is also another example on Pop Master. People moan he might be doing it all wrong, but hell he isn't - because he's also doing the quiz as well as adding bits about the music and questions. I'm not questioning how Ken Bruce does it, as they are all different, but it does make the listener want to tune in. It's simple to host a quiz, but you need to add other things.

nod · Joined: 24 Dec 2006 Posts: 3558

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

gazmando · Joined: 15 Apr 2007 Posts: 560 Location: Huntingdon

I really can't believe Terry has said this:-
"You and I, dear listener, will remember the days when BBC Radio 2 was regarded as Radio 1's poor, raddled relation. Middle of the Road, middle-aged, middling. Over the last 15 years, by dint of hard work, enlightened controllers, a popular music policy, the employment of producers and presenters whose hearts and minds were dedicated to radio, poor old Radio 2 became the popular broadcasting giant it is today."

If their hearts and minds were dedicated to radio they wouldn't just keep playing the same old playlist songs in every show for weeks on end.
Terry should listen to Radio 2 during the day for a few weeks, I guarantee he'd soon be moaning about hearing the same songs all the time

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

Not to mention some of the presenters!
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Lord Evan Elpuss, Your ideal job is a Lumberjack.

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

MadeinSurrey · Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 8:49 am Post subject:

I wonder how much R2 Terry actually listens to? If he listened for any length of time, the repetition and (some) awful presenters would drive him away!

Now that my weekday listening is reduced to Sarah ( on i-player), Ken and Mayo, I am spared the Groundhog day feeling!
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MiS

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

I'm sure Sir Terry said in the past that after listening to pop music on his show he had had enough of it for the day. I guess he doesn't listen to much of R2.