Part 1
The final episode looking back at the past decade of radio starts off
with a farewell.
And what some thought not a moment too soon, Chris Evans
(and his family) waving goodbye to Radio 2’s Breakfast Show
on Christmas Eve, with a noisy rendition of the “Goodbye” song
from “The Producers”.
Moving to Virgin to do the same show,
but with relentless plugs for Sky.
All the more fitting to be followed by another
Piccadilly Radio alumni, Woo Gary Davies, who like Evans,
mentioned on air that he’d be joining Virgin
when leaving Radio 1 25 years earlier.
And proving some jingles may have a longer shelf-life than intended,
Angela Scanlon sounding pleasantly surprised for the festive one at 2.25,
originally made for Radio 2’s 50s pop-up two years earlier.
An even longer-running breakfast prog comes to an end a week
later, Rickie, Melvin and Charlie waving goodbye to Kiss FM breakfast
after 12 years, en route to weeknights on BBC Radio 1 (4.57).
Neev follows them with the ever upbeat Kisstory,
spawning several tightly produced music strands
elsewhere on the dial, not least Radio 1’s “Greatest Hits”.
More recently renamed “Radio 1 Anthems” maybe
so as not to be confused with Bauer’s identically named
Greatest Hits Radio which you’ll hear later in the episode.
A new arrival to One Golden Square, Jazz FM re-emerges
at 9.04, and a tribute to the late Peter Young who
died in November that year.
The whole show can be heard here, opening with
Lou Rawls “Dead End Street” which inspired the
“Sound Of Soul City’ jingle used by PY to open
many a Soul Cellar.
Also at Bauer, Kisstory the station ended up overtaking
6 Music in the RAJARs possibly a long term effect of the
schedule changes.
As heard from 16.48 onwards, with the much
maligned tagline “Hello Music Lover!” as uttered by
the new breakfast show host.
Though not earning quite as much umbridge as
the decision to move RadMac to weekend breakfast (20.53),
swapping “Chicken Payback” by the Bees, for Johnny Pearson’s
“Sleepy Shores” as the music for their opening link.
And switching Gordon Burns for Jason Williamson
from Sleaford Mods (23.14).
Although a rotten demotion, it doesn’t prevent
the show itself from being a must-listen and developing
new features, notably “Crisps On The Radio”.
A item that only Mark and Stuart could make
for compelling listening.
Far less gushing than their predecessor
(now mysteriously promoted to mid-mornings 20.06)
as it’s doubtful Mary Anne Hobbs would ever have
played the theme tune to “Going Live!” on her show.
Nearing 6 months into his stint, and Greg James showing
no signs of depleting, right down to the show’s mantra
of the listeners providing the laughs.
If a celebrity guest makes an appearance, they’ll
be thrown into the show and it’s recurring features,
such as Sean Paul subjected to a rural reggae rendition
of “Get Busy” at 25.10.
The “Impossible Karaoke” game may or may not have been
influenced by the “Pick Up Song” game from ISIHAC,
though Greg’s not the first Radio 1 breakfast presenter
to have “borrowed it” per se.
As back in the early 90s, Mike Smith’s “That’s Showbusiness”
“adapted” the round for television as “Videoke”
much to the comedic outrage of Humph.
But at the end of the day, great radio doesn’t have
to be all-original radio.
And it doesn’t always have to be sidesplitting,
with Greg’s show never afraid to touch
on mental health issues.
Acknowledging not all listeners are in a good place
and talking it up on air without sounding preachy.
Not to mention addressing of the media mishandling of it,
even his own radio station.
(Though Greg’s wife laid into the same story using
far stronger words.)
At 28.28, the underwhelming entrance of
Radio 2’s permanent morning motormouth.
That aside, Zoe Ball is complemented by a very slick
set of jingles and, and branded intros (and outros).
Oh and the second appearance of a Sat-AM sig tune,
Phillip and Sarah’s successor nonetheless
for Zoe’s “On My Way” item.
Other features, rather thin on the ground, such as
the recycled Evans feature “Show And Tell” which
may as well be renamed “Show Off, and Naff Off”.
Ball’s team being a mixed bag, a welcome return on news
for Tina Daheley, Mike Williams on sport, somehow not
tethered in Salford, and Richie “Wallace” Anderson,
assigned on travel, but appears to have become
the Mike Smith to Zoe’s (and Ken Bruce’s) Noel Edmonds.
Despite a large number of on-air voices, the host still struggles
to acknowledge that “500 Words” is the station’s annual
story writing contest, not an instruction for what to cram into a link.
And I still miss Coxy standing in.
Radio 2’s new shows all get new jingles, including
the very smooth and classy one for Trevor Nelson
at 40.16, following Jo Whiley attempting a more upbeat route
for her new evening show.
Including the final “gunging” in this series at 39.48,
which may please the whingers of Jo’s drivetime stint,
or her subsequent stand-ins for Ken Bruce on Popmaster.
Heightened by the changes, Radio 2 since 2019 has
felt even more like the radio equivalent of your parents
trying desperately hard to be trendy.
If unfortunate to stumble on Vanessa’s birthday slot,
(an inane item as it is), the feature previously underscored
by Stevie Wonder, now read over the opening
of 50 Cent’s “In Da Club“.
Not to mention Whiley referring to her TV and Movie review
slot as “FOMOs” and Sara Cox rounding off the week
with her “All Request Friyay!”
All examples that could do with a stern ticking as such.
Now I get why listeners lost their rag over Jo and Simon’s
“Life Hacks” feature last year.
A visit further north at 42.19, and Metro Radio now
mentioning the “Hits Radio Network” in the news intro
proving a possible hint of things to come.
Certainly with the rest of the on-air branding sharing
the same sonic logo, that’s basically shortened from
the Bauer original, as opposed to the “Greatest Hits”
one being made longer (37.02).
Though the average listener would probably
take the view of the late Ian Kilmister, of it being
“all the same” let alone taking any notice at all.
The imaging itself was altered later in the year,
distanced from the City sonic.
Coinciding with changes at Metro and the departure of
Alan Robson’s “Night Owls” phone in show at the end
of June after over 30 years.
Staying with Bauer, the announcement of Scala Radio
as reported that same night on BBC Radio 2 (45.41).
A classical station but with an entertainment lead focus,
and recently departed Simon Mayo as their poster boy
and mid morning host.
5 Live partner in crime Mark Kermode would also be joining
the station, and hosting breakfast would be fellow Radio 2 alumni
Charles Nove.
The premise of Scala planting the idea that had
the concept been pitched 30 years ago, Fluff Freeman
may not have needed to return to Radio 1 for a second time.
The station being the brainchild of one Chris Vezey,
a former Radio 1 producer and head of programmes at Classic FM.
An all-too-aware intro from Rylan Clark-Neal, followed by
Huey Morgan standing in for Johnnie Walker on Radio 2’s
Rock Show at 46.22, and frankly doing a better job of it.
Walker’s heart surgery posing no obstacle for the show
going permanent on Saturday nights, where the original intention
was to interchange with Jools Holland’s big band show.
Following Moria Stuart’s departure to Classic FM,
Jools would now be sharing on late Sundays between Don Black
every 13 weeks, following from the dying embers
of what Ana Matronic would label “your nan’s Radio 2”.
Clare Teal’s swing show, shortened back to half it’s length,
from when it was extended in 2013 (47.01).
It was hoped the shortened Swing Show may have meant
less padding with tracks by Take That, Phil Collins,
Beyonce, and others that happen to contain brass sections
in them, but not so.
Shades of the late John Myers’s “Anything with a trumpet”
definition of jazz, when the Radio Authority challenged
him over not enough jazz being played on GMG’s Jazz FM.
A senior Radio 2 exec explained the reduced running time
in response to a letter in the Radio Times, in that it allowed
more room for documentaries that had previously aired
on weeknights, and Teal’s show, now an hour long
was “now in line with the other specialist shows on Radio 2” .
Meaning Elaine Paige, Craig Charles, Ana Matronic,
and the four night occurrence of Trevor Nelson don’t count
as “specialist shows” due to their two hour running times…
Another listener responded with their own interpretation
of the BBC’s statement;
“In an attempt to attract an audience who do not at
present listen to Radio 2, we are rearranging or dropping
programmes, that loyal listeners do listen to, and in the
process we upset or disappoint those listeners, then so be it,
we don’t really care“
Heightened by a lack of on-air trailers for shows
falling into that bracket, but if those programmes were trailed,
there’d be no time to play any incessant plugs
for the Gemma Collins podcast on BBC Sounds.
Chaos ensues at 48.27, where Radio 1’s Breakfast presenter
gets looked up in an escape room planted in the soon
to be abandoned Maida Vale studios.
Another of Radio 1’s big stunts and possibly a cut above
the two Hide and Seeks, and Pass The Pasty the year before.
Lasting a day and a half, it was a compelling listen,
even if the clues and references may have predated
Radio 1’s demographic.
Not that any one really cares, for want of a
great radio item.
Scott Mills describing that, and the second “LOLathon”
airing a couple of weeks later (heard in part 2)
as “the sort of thing only Radio 1 could do”.
Or to translate, that sort of thing commercial radio
stations can do, but won’t.
Yes there’s Global’s Make Some Noise, the Jinglebell
and Summertime Balls, and Bauer’s Cash For Kids initiatives,
but whilst successful, the on-air product is standard at best.
Not that the BBC isn’t guilty of standing still,
as with regards to Radio 2, there’s only so many times
you can get celebrities to dance non-stop for 24 hours.
There’s no way this series could finish without
one more from David Rodigan (54.35).
A man so affable, knowledgeable, and bursting with enthusiasm,
you can even let him get away with singing over the tracks.
Scala Radio launches with Simon Mayo at 59:18,
and a new orchestral version of his “banana boat” jingle.
Which if it had lyrics would have went;
“Maayyyo! Simon Maaayyoo!
Scala’s his home, ’cause his career is…”
Mayo receiving a barrage of good-luck messages from listeners,
including the “Simon’s Old Drivetimers” group on Facebook,
abbrieviated on-air as “SODs”.
You just hope that Mayo’s R2 successor doesn’t have a Facebook
group of her own, by the name of “Coxy’s Upbeat New Teatimers”.
But whilst Mayo sounds happy to be back solo, the show itself
feels glass-half-empty, and at times desperate.
Attempting to re-create the air of his pre-Whiley Drivetime show
but not quite cutting it, even with the return of Nigel Barden
providing the ever radio-unfriendly recipe feature on the
Saturday morning show.
Following Mayo is Sam Hughes in a slot not too dissimilar to
the one she was in before leaving Invicta FM 15 years earlier.
It’s hard not to get excited about the presenter you woke up to
in the early 90s, being followed by the alarm clock from the late 90s.
“The Alarm Clock From Heaven” quite possibly.
Though along with Trevor Nelson going four nights a week,
the novelty soon wears off.
At 1:06:56, Graham Mack, a man never short of a meaty quote,
interviewed on 5 Live re: the ban of Michael Jackson songs
on Fix Radio.
A radio station aimed at the building trade, where Mack
had recently become PD.
Presenter Emma Barnett not as tough on Mack
as many a politician she’s interviewed.
Rounding off part 1 at 1:15:01, Toby Anstis, leaving Heart
mid-mornings after 16 years, but staying at the station,
hosting the Friday edition of Club Classics ahead of
a move to breakfast on the new Heart Dance spin-off.
Saturday evenings would be in the hands of Toby’s
new mid-morning successor Pandora Christie,
returning to Global after a few years at Kiss.
A station where the bubble may be on the verge on
bursting, having lost their mid morning host,
and breakfast presenters finishing off part 1 proper,
with a trail for their new Radio 1 late evening show.
Plenty more outrageous audio, or unnecessarily enraging audio
to the easily-offended/plain stupid, in part 2.
Part 2
Late 2018 saw OFCOM announce further deregulation
of what was formerly Independent Local Radio, reducing
local output further, no longer with the obligation to broadcast
a local breakfast show.
Provided stations transmit 3 hours of regional content
per day (with transmission areas reduced further to a
near identical model to the ITV regions) continuing to
provide local news and travel (already diluted as it was)
everything else including weekends could be networked.
Global were quick to react, announcing in late
February 2019 that a number of sites would be shut down
(including what was Invicta FM and Essex FM) and national
breakfast shows would commence on their Capital, Heart
and Smooth brands, in that order over 2009.
Though regarding Smooth, the strategy of getting a big name
to host breakfast, supposedly didn’t work out as planned,
according to the second paragraph in a newsletter
from Popbitch.
Capital Breakfast goes national at 0:26, with Roman Kemp
sounding a bit too perky for 6am, as reflected in the
television ad for the new show.
When launching a new breakfast show on a national
scale, it may not be the ideal to open with the song
“I’m So Tired” .
Though that may be elaborated further in this clip
(if a little exaggerated) from Chris Moyles
on Radio X the previous December.
But back on track…
There’s the interesting addition of a top of hour show
menu on the new national Capital, a device used
prominently on 6 Music, and once implemented
by Invicta FM circa 2005, before GCap.
A chance to hear how it should be done from the former,
leading in to the best jingle still heard on radio (3:16)
introducing Marc Riley’s show every weekday evening.
The line near the end being “Punk before chips on Radio 6“,
which according to the artist formerly known as ‘Lard’,
goes back to his gigging days, seeing the Sex Pistols in Manchester
followed by a visit to the chippy afterwards.
Riley celebrating 15 years on 6 Music, enough to feel
more worried it’s that long since him and Mark Radcliffe
departed Radio 1, which immediately lead to the station closing down…
Greg pops back at 4.57, with the genesis of what became
the breakfast show’s most quoted line via
one Derek “Tommo” Thompson.
Though here’s the thing,
As explored earlier, Greg may be the opposite of Steve Wright
in the mid 80s when it comes to addressing mental health on air.
But on middle aged blokes surrounding themselves
around young women, he may also be the opposite
of John Peel back announcing Robert Palmer
on Top Of The Pops.
The video itself of the racing pundit’s hotel ad
was made back in 2012, which in a post “#MeToo”
climate, is akin to saying it was made in 1970.
Yet the line, and the further involvement
of Tommo on Greg’s show still made really good radio.
Not just on Greg’s show in fact, with utterances of
“Are You Well?” on other stations, including at (43.04)
Nicki Chapman’s early breakfast show on Radio 2.
A presenter winning more favour in that timeslot than the
regular host, though probably not in the case of one disgruntled
BBC Local Radio presenter.
Really, you’d expect that crap from a livid anorak on RadioToday’s
Facebook page, but not from a presenter still employed by Auntie.
Even more embarrassing, seeing as Nicki hails from Herne Bay.
And bringing the late Ray Moore into it, as great a broadcaster he was, unfortunately reduces the argument solely to rose-tinted nostalgia.
Not the only on-air voice from the station biting the hand
that feeds it, as a former breakfast presenter from Kentish
commercial radio made a similar misjudged tweet
just a few days ago.
A good call to post this extract from an interview with Mick Hucknall
on dealing with envious critics, which regardless of one’s opinion
on the performer, it’s very much nailed.
Phil Williams bids adieu to 5 Live at 9.40, in what could be
preparation for upcoming Radio 2 overnight stand ins
later in the year.
Williams departing the day before Danny Baker
got booted from the station after a mis-judged tweet
involving a photo of a monkey (15.01).
It wouldn’t mean a disappearance of Frank Zappa
on 5 Live altogether, following the arrival of
Elis James and John Robins, joining from Radio X
to host a Friday afternoon show, shifting Kermode
and Mayo to an hour later.
A show that’s stirred up a mixed reaction, in that they’re worthy
of a BBC platform, but is 5 Live the right place for them?
Seeing as their style would be better suited to a pre-2013 6 Music
or pre-humourless 6 Music (bar RadMac).
A final entry from the duo’s dissection of Tony Blackburn’s
autobiography to come later on.
Similar 5 Live moves took place in November with Scott and Chris
gaining Danny Baker’s old timeslot, ailing further speculation
over Mills’ Radio 1 future.
More from the Ball at 16.47, with special guest Greg James
on the show to plug the third of his “Kid Normal” books
as co-written by Chris Smith With The News.
And with that in mind, Greg ends up giving Radio 2
their first sung news jingle in almost 30 years.
Gary Davies retains an old Radio 1 habit at 20:00,
using a theme tune to a popular TV show to underscore
the travel.
To the point that the Game Of Thrones theme even
achieves the feat of making Richie sound less irritating.
Another Radio 1 marathon at 23:17, the second outing for
“The Lol-A-Thon” with Scott and Chris in aid of Comic Relief.
Many of the listener jokes, taken from after hours,
the DJ Luck and MC Neat gag being possibly the only
clean one in there.
No way is that tune now over 20 years old…
The barb from Jordan North leading not so nicely
into Radio 4’s Media Show discussing the de-regulation
of commercial radio (27:30).
Offering his pearls, former Orion executive Phil Riley, who just weeks
later would be hired by Bauer as a senior adviser, overseeing the recently purchased Celador and Lincs FM stations during the period
of Hold Seperate.
Not to mention the other purchases of UKRD
and the non-national stations that Wireless no longer want.
It’s easy to fire hot-takes over the OFCOM deregulation,
but Bauer’s present position is to put it bluntly,
a bloody mess.
Not only a barrage of heritage brands living on borrowed time,
but forgoing the Global route of expanding on existing successful
brands such as Kiss and Magic, and instead launching
even more brands lacking on strategy let alone substance.
Possibly identical to the final round of “Going For Gold”
with Bauer effectively playing catch-up.
Goodness knows how their recent acquisitions
will work out, currently in an ever elongating hold-separate
situation, the stupidity of it summed up more articulately by
David Lloyd.
Having heard Capital go national, a few of the departures
from Heart’s local breakfast shows at the end of May,
starting in Manchester with Joel and Lorna (31:31).
Lorna Bancroft hosting since 2012 when it was Real Radio,
making up possibly the first all-female breakfast duo, alongside
Sam Walker who’s recently departed 5 Live to live her dream
in the Arizona Desert.
Joel meanwhile eventually signed up by Rock FM in Preston
for breakfast, making a return for Jordan North to the station
even less likely.
A speedy visit down south to the one-time radio husband
to the real life wife of Joel’s former radio partner.
James Heming with a commendable if not too emotional leaving
speech after 19 years on breakfast, which is no mean feat (34.05).
The speech itself, overshadowed some 20 minutes later by another,
from a Prime Minister who probably lasted longer in
Number 10 than Heming did on XFM’s breakfast show.
Richard Straffon was the last presenter to be heard from
John Wilson Business Park on the 31st of May, though from
earlier that day, it’s worth hearing Jonny Meah giving the final words
on breakfast to long-standing producer Matt Wilcock.
And last up from Essex, Martin and Su, possibly the longest
serving breakfast presenting duo on commercial radio (37.11).
Martin just seven months short of the longest-serving breakfast
presenter, with Peter Gordon still on Eagle Radio breakfast
having launched in January 23 years ago.
Whilst sad to see a number of local shows ending,
not an exaggeration to suggest many had been complacent.
As noted in a piece by Colin Kelly for the OnAirCoach Newsletter
in June of last year, following the barrage of farewell
videos posted by departing presenters;
“If they’d produced content of that quality more often
maybe they wouldn’t have got canned.“
Martin and Su on the other hand wouldn’t be spending too long
in the radio wilderness, having been snapped up by Southend based
Radio Essex at the end of ’19, due to reignite their breakfast show
in the new year.
Jamie and Amanda’s first show follows at 40:06, and for
a first show, better than expected.
The only weak link being the addition of Ashley Roberts
as the showbiz reporter, but all else aside, Amanda proving
a natural as a presenter, not another female sidekick
to laugh at or be the comedy foil of the male host.
Dare I say it, more likeable than Zoe Ball.
The en-masse angry reaction to the networked breakfast
show on social media may have prompted Bauer to
go the alternate route, when their existing stations in
the Hits Radio network got the green-light to reduce further
local hours.
Beaming their drivetime show with Hi I’m Wes
to the former Big City, and Free Radio stations
in the North and Midlands respectively from September.
Who as heard at 23:00 with the Counterpoint question,
now has something else to brag about endlessly
along with his Love Actually cameo.
All else aside, a tough time for radio made worse by the death
of John Myers, the presenter and executive as heard at 39:12
alongside Trevor Dann in an interview recorded for
the Radio Academy’s “RadioTalk” podcast in 2011.
Again, if not done so already, read his book, containing
even funnier anecdotes.
Listeners still as easily offended in 2019, without
even hearing a programme in full, or at all, proven by
Jo Brand’s battery acid gag on Radio 4’s “Heresy” (43:57).
Resulting in Nigel Farridge losing his shit, and
a clueless caller to James O’Brien’s LBC show
representing the many who appear to get
pleasure out of being irrationally angered.
Not only failing to see the irony of Brand’s joke being made
on a programme called “Heresy” but also too thick
to recall the name of the show, full stop.
And not the first time Brand has been in the firing line
with the far right, as the BNP tried doing the same after a joke on
“Live At The Apollo” about the addresses of party members
being leaked on the internet in late 2008;
“Now we know where to send the poo to!“
Another dropped drive-host with no need for sourness follows
at, with Carlos launching Heart 70s, one of 5 new national DAB
stations launched by Global in late August/early September.
And quite the slick launch intro (56;41).
The man who tempted Mayo over to the dark side, shows up at
59:28 Andrew Collins and his Classic FM Movie Soundtrack show,
taking a diversion from the big screen to the small screen.
Though “Sherlock” doesn’t really deserve the acclaim as a series
let alone the best theme tune.
The station as a whole seeing no threat from Scala, and gaining
greater notoriety with John Humphrys standing in
on the breakfast show in late October, following his departure
from Today as heard at 1:16:04.
Throughout 2019, it’s not just been Greg James’s show, where you’ll
be guaranteed an unpopular opinion.
Though in Huey Morgan’s case at 1:08:13, he’s not too good
at dealing with them diplomatically it seems.
Him and Liz Kershaw deserve each other, aligned in
the lower ebbs of 6 Music’s Saturday schedule.
Even more heated at 1:09:30, one or two nuggets from an interview
with Wiley on Dotty’s 1Xtra breakfast show following from
the Fun Lovin’ Criminal.
Can’t add anything more to it, it’s great.
Sara Cox re-emerges at 1:14:15, where to be quite honest,
there’s a sense that she’s not entirely content in her teatime slot.
Too much music, and not enough original or engaging features,
possibly stealing a cue from Scott and Chris by playing
an assembly anthem heralding the arrival of autumn.
Paul Gambaccini is back at 1:22:33 with one final burst
of Pick Of The Pops, as heard throughout the series.
The JAM resings made a long awaited return to the show in early
2018, after Tony Blackburn started using the PAMS jingles
exclusively on Sounds Of The Sixties, where they sound
better suited.
There’s a few lesser played mixouts, including Cut 14
from “Warp Factor” which the online “tribute station”
Solid Gold GEM AM wanted to purchase, but JAM wouldn’t
allow it as the BBC hold UK-wide rights to the cut.
Possibly worldwide rights, seeing as the station
is run from Portugal…
Having serenaded Radio 4 listeners with a delightful Divine Comedy
duet earlier in the episode, Rachel Parris is back at 1:25:09 with newly wedded husband Marcus Brigstocke for a Jazz FM Xmas Day special.
Just showing how far the station has come this decade, and the special itself, arguably the most accessible showcase of jazz on radio,
adding humour to it without sounding forced.
The other festive radio highlight of 2019 at 1:33:39
may be the best thing Radio 1 has ever done.
35 new presenters from all walks of radio given control of the airwaves
from KMFM’s Laura Crockett, to Lucy Edwards (and her guide dog Olga).
As well as some amazing specialist show stand-ins, and a fair number
from my old radio stomping ground Smoke Radio at the University of Westminster, which has just got even better over the last 10 years,
including two SRA Station of The Year gongs to boot.
Further reading (and even more audio) can be found here.
And only right to finish with another snippet from
the original “Impossible Karaoke” with Harry Hill,
whose rendition of “Baker Street” would leave Bob Holness
spinning in his grave.
If you believe Stuart Maconie.
Though it also has you wondering if Mrs Trellis
from North Wales has ever met Bunty Hoven.
So as this series nears an end, can radio continue to provide
entertaining and meaningful snippets worthy of another
set of Soundclouds (or whatever audio platform we’ll be using)
in ten years time?
There’s a fair chance, provided the wider radio industry
will put an end to the incessant self-congratulation.
It’s worth borrowing a line from the late John Myers’ 2009
review on the future of commercial radio, with a football analogy
for good measure, illustrating how little has changed in the last 10 years;
“Digital platforms are out there on the pitch scoring goals,
whilst traditional linear radio is still discussing tactics
in the changing room“.
Or in the British Library.
Too much talk about what the medium can/could do,
rather than just getting on with it, which may
explain why with regards to the latter, there’s
a lot of Greg James in the last two episodes.
Reflected in a statement from the man himself
from a talk at Oxford university earlier in the year;
“There’s some amazing and talented presenters
on commercial radio. But they don’t let them talk.
So there’s great talent that just doesn’t get a chance“
And also why radio isn’t on the radar of young
aspirers, highlighted in an observation from student radio
alumni Andy Vale regarding online platforms and streaming.
On that the question isn’t “How will radio find the next generation of talent?” as opposed to “Why would the next generation of talent
choose radio?“
Radio 1’s Xmas initiative hopefully providing an answer.
As probed by Scott Cohen in the last episode, it’s mainly those
who have known and done radio over a long period of time
with a romanticised view of the medium they don’t want to part with.
Also worth giving this interview from earlier in the year
with Simon Cole a listen, a man well known and respected
in the industry, yet I’ve never seen him at any big radio events.
After hearing his excitement as opposed to fear for digital
disruption within audio and radio, that probably explains why.
There will be change, at times shocking, possibly upsetting,
but hopefully not boring.
And whichever direction radio takes and whatever audio platforms
will be listened to, they’ll hopefully be covered and looked
back on with blunt uncompromising wit, in a series of uploads
and blogposts similar to this, but hopefully better written.
Thanks for reading.
What Radio Used To Sound Like 