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Is Bbc Radio Too White?

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anotheoldgit | 13:32 Fri 20th Mar 2015 | News
16 Answers
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3003399/Radio-2-white-say-BBC-diversity-chiefs-Trust-demands-station-urgently-improves-attracting-non-white-listeners.html

This is getting far too ridiculous, What about BBC's World Service is that also too British?

/// It pointed to statistics that show only 34 percent of BAME adults tune in to one of the six music radio stations - Radio 1, 1Xtra, Radio 2, Radio 3, 6 Music and Asian Network – each week. This compares to 49 percent of all adults regardless of ethnicity. ///

Only 34% of BAME adults, to 49% of all adults regardless of ethnicity, that's not too bad is it?

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In the 49% figure you should perhaps first remove all BAME adults to get a reasonable comparison, which implies that well over half of all non-BAME adults listen to those radio stations (so the comparison is probably closer to 39% of BAME adults listening to such stations as compared with 55% or so of "non-BAME").

Saying radio is "too white" is a bad way of putting it, but the point is that national Radio stations ought to provide a mix of entertainment to appeal to as wide an audience as possible. Of the listed stations I listen to only Radio 3, and only very rarely at that, so I have no idea if this wide variety is achieved or not. It could simply be that there already is a wide enough range of music on offer, but that for separate reasons the BAME audience doesn't listen eg, preferring to tune into local stations, or choosing online music sources in general, ir just not listening to Radio at all, or what have you.

It seems rather more important to establish why BAME adults don't listen before tinkering with things too much. All the variety in the world won't change the figures if there's just not enough interest in radio as a medium, and when trying to compete with other services online that are in some ways better than radio at allowing you to listen to what you want. Heck, even Youtube is a pretty good music stream.
The BBC Trust report is here if you want to read it without the Daily Mails spin on it.

http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/assets/files/pdf/our_work/music_radio/music_radio.pdf

Of course, it does NOT say the BBC is too white. It says very little in fact about the ethnicity of its audiences. It makes one recommendation in regard to Radio and its target audience.

// In our last service review in 2010, we stated that the BBC should seek to reduce the percentage of Radio 2’s audience that falls outside its target. Since then, Radio 2’s reach among its older target audience has increased, and the station’s average age has remained stable. Although the proportion of listeners under 35 has not fallen, listeners aged over 65 now account for a slightly larger proportion of the total audience. Radio 2 is clearly focusing on listeners aged over 35, and ensuring that those over 65 or 75 are not neglected.
Radio 2’s reach remains considerably lower than average among black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) audiences. While there has been some growth in reach in the last five years, the disparity with reach amongst white listeners has not reduced. As Radio 2 has a remit to serve a broad audience, we are asking it to address this disparity. //

The BBCs thinking is flawed in regard the BAME figures. The BBC has its Asian Network channel which will undoubtedly take listeners from all the other radio channels. the criticism of Radio 2 is unfair. The Asian Network channel should be doing better than it is. It is not good value for money and it should be scrapped, and that would bump up listnership on the remaining BBC radio channels.
My God there are enough radio stations out there without having to water them all down into a one-size-its-all. Should Radio 1 change so I listen to it more? NFW
So Radio 2 will have to start playing more Motown. I'm 'down' with that!
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Perhaps, like me, they dont want to listen to left wing BBC drivel?
Oh no I hope this doesn't mean more of Lenny Henry.
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Since most of it's listeners are drawn from those of a more advanced age, perhaps the BBC should start providing programmes with more music and other items that are an interest to them?
Is that white advanced age people or 'other' advanced age people?
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Zacs-Master

/// Is that white advanced age people or 'other' advanced age people? ///

Well, since this country is a predominately a white country (yes I know it is not very often referred to as such) perhaps a good start would be for the white advanced aged listener to be taken into consideration?
Ah, yes, but as the 'other' element is growing so rapidly, should they not make progs for them also?
Question Author
Zacs-Master

/// Ah, yes, but as the 'other' element is growing so rapidly, should they not make progs for them also? ///

Yes but shouldn't it be on a 'first come first served' basis?
You can't see people on radio!
That's how Peter Brough (Educating Archie) got away with it on the wireless!
Too white? 'Den whoo is dat maan whoo reads da news on Radio 4 whoo comes from Jamaicah? And Whooo's da man whoo prazents 'Up Aall De Night' on da Radio 5? Da BBC (BBC? Hmm, consult Urban Dictionary!) want da 100% diversity
1 Xtrah, 100% diversity; Asian Network, 100% diversity; Radio 1, 95% diversity; Radio 6, about 25% diversity, and they're still not satisfied. The BBC is run by a bunch of Race Baiters

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