Radio Two

[andy-hughes]

The media has its trolleys in a robble yet again about Radio Two.

This time it's the announcement that Vernon Kaye is taking over Ken Bruce's morning show.

Of course, no-one would ever be a suitable replacement for KB, so Vernon will have to take the hit in listening figures, and see what happens.

It does indicate Radio Two's intention to carry on looking for a 'younger demographic', as they are keen to confirm.

The question is - why?

Why this drive for a 'younger' audience?

They don't have to satisfy advertisers, only their listeners, which they seem hell-bent on upsetting and ignoring.

So has anyone ever offered an explanation about why a subscription-funded Radio station can't let its programmes find their own natural audiences who come to it voluntarily, instead of forcing changes that not only destroy the existing listenership, but singularly fail to replace it with the mythical 'younger' audience, who appear utterly indifferent to what is being shoved at them.

Any ideas?

[MargoTester]

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2023/feb/24/ken-bruce-says-bbc-has-hastened-his-radio-2-exit

Looks as though the BBC has hastened his departure to the end of next week instead of the end of March. Charming after all his years with them

[MissTerious2]

I just posted a new thread on that. I should have put it on her it would have been more sensible!

[MargoTester]

Oh apologies I didn't see that!

[Redhelen72]

Vernon is 50 so hardly young

[Barsel]

Helen he's young compared to Ken Bruce and Tony Blackburn.

[MissTerious2]

It's OK Margot. I only just posted. No answers yet.
Red 50 seems very young to me ;0). Actually I was 52 when I took on my last Job of any importance.

[MargoTester]

Vernon is actually 48 a mere child:-)

[MissTerious2]

Margot. I've put a note on my post not to answer as I've duplicated.
What I put on there is that I'm disgusted by the BBC.

[MargoTester]

Yes me too MissT it's a nasty thing to do to someone who joined in 1977 and started on Radio 2 in 1984. They should be ashamed of themselves

[choux]

andy, you are right. Aunty should be all inclusive and produce radio programmes for every age group and choose suitable presenters accordingly.

Your thread has been exercising my grey cells all day! I have fond memories of the 80's listening to dear old Charlie Chester on R2 Sunday afternoons. He ran, for want of a better description, an OAP's Swap Shop (usually by letter post) within his show.

So-and-so has a Black & Decker drill to exchange for a Teasmade, or a telescope for a wheelchair - I can hear his voice now :) Thanks for the train of thought, andy x

[ynnafymmi]

Ken signed out with the song"the end".I was rather hoping it was the Doors uncensored version,rather than the Beatles version.