Read this: 19/05/2023 Radio 4 Feedback

BBC sounds music Radio podcasts hello and welcome to feedback BBC journalist to strike again over cuts to local radio programming and listeners say their voices are being BBC a vectors.

May what people say the last thing they are doing is listening to a on feedback today a former BBC local station editor gives his on the changes and the BBC man responsible for the digital first strategy is here to respond also.

I'll be honest with you with two tracks in it's alright.

Everyone just simmer bring to a simmer listeners that he took over Ken Bruce Radio 2 show this week, but how did he do? I think he feels pressurised now and he didn't say is normal text easy going south and feedback special rapporteur Rob crossan reminisces about Radio 4 shows that have been put out to pasture.

There are more than a few audio is of yesteryear that much chance of being given a 2023 reboot as the Betamax video player all Mike Yarwood in pros and cons you have the first local radio it seems that opposition to the BBC's plans for local radio is growing by the week BBC journalist to set.

2-day walk out in early June and 10 cross-party MPs have sent a long excoriating letter to the BBC director-general calling the callous as digital first strategy the BBC aims to scale back local shows and replace them with shared regional programming while increasing online content this has led to local radio centres reapplying for their own jobs with some being made redundant.

Well when he was on feedback recently director of Nations rhodri talfan.

Davies told us so we dancer proposals in October we listen very hard to the feedback and that this response from listeners well last week BBC Radio York presenters.

John's and Co

Laugh out loud moment when I had a BBC aggressive feedback to be listening to feedback from listeners BBC Asia what people say the last thing they are doing is listening to a word hello Andrea and the feedback Amanda Frank from Exeter here as a relatively recent convert to BBC Radio Devon to interspares my Radio 4 listening following significant changes to Radio 2.

I cannot seem it's crazy enough my local do you spell like friends? I fall more in touch with what's going on in my local community and have a clear idea of the various issues facing individuals within my region.

I hope that management will commit to holding me Little Talks with staff to prevent strike action from going ahead on the 7th and 8th of June and that a proper process for public engagement will be implemented at the earliest opportunity.

This is built Endsleigh from Huntingdon Community Radio

And I just like to say thank you baby see for messing with your local radio stations.

It can only be good for our listening figures people love local and listen is really love building up and on a relation with present only local radio can do that.

There are over 300 community radio stations in the UK so please keep giving us your listening Dr Liam McCarthy station manager of three BBC local radio stations in Leicester Nottingham and Sheffield in his 30 years at the BBC he's written a paper going digital by the BBC is it local services wrong again which he sent to the BBC director-general Tim Davie I asked if changes to local radio were unavoidable in pushing forward the BBC BBC local radio stations across England already produce hundreds of local stories a day and could put them online but here.

Local radio journalist who are trained journalist working for the BBC or not trusted or allowed to post stories on the BBC News online site or even the official BBC local radio station Facebook and Twitter feeds if there's Lodge am of not being allowed to publish online were broken then we could have both we could have local radio.

We could have our online story.

Why isn't this just happening? Is this a management problem management problem the BBC split into divisions divisions fight between themselves for resources and also for control so if you've got these divisions fighting for control in a why am I going to allow somebody who doesn't work for me to put stuff on my site.

It really is it's a management problem the you have said that these cuts could in fact kill off local radio because fewer people will live.

If it's not a local product and then eventually that will give the BBC a chance to say look the figures are even further in decline at the moment the schedule is unchanged from 6 to 14 on weekdays, when 70% of the audience are listening so I wonder if that's not a touch hyperbolic.

No, I don't think it is if you take that local us away then people not listening.

It's been proved in the past.

They won't listen radio Oxford the radio Berkshire were merged together to form Thames Valley FM in the 90s and it bombed the audience when the two stations with Pulled Apart again the audience figures doubled and the point is it isn't dying 89% of the population listen to radio in 999 in2023 it still 89% different people listening to different stations nobody is saying that has a 97% of the

Don't listen to Radio 3 we should kill it off or 90% of the population.

Don't listen to Radio 5 live.

We should kill it off the we do know that the audience figures for local you have been in decline.

Do you have a solution to that yes, the BBC should die layer.

It's management before it die localises it's radio stations.

It should break that grip get the local material online.

It should be local in core hours from 6 to 6 when users Michael but it's not just about news.

It's about friendship conversation deep editorializing to local issues.

It should really refocus as well on serving hard-to-reach listeners, who are aged over 50 which it has moved away from over last couple of years and it should also ensure it represents the diversity of the Communities across England both in terms of class age.

Olicity here's an idea and let's take the BBC news room in London and spread it out across the country and the local radio basis, then perhaps everyday live in might not be a surprise to them and it might be covered with Feeling I know that the BBC management keep pointing to this idea that they are going to bring in create 71.

I think it is a good of journalists who will work in hubs around the country that can create these new positions.

Do you see that as a positive? It would be brilliant if they could do that as well, but the problem is they will be regional hubs and it will be people processing news without going out to gather the news and so what you doing is replacing news gatherers in local radio with news this whole system has it been worked out on ideally what they should have done and what they could still do is trial in One region of the country and if it.

Fantastic they have the staff on-board.

They could roll it out and everybody would be mega keen to get involved.

You know I have to say I feel like one of the violinists on the deck of the Titanic see the iceberg ahead and everybody else can see the iceberg coming we know we're going to hit it but the captain isn't listening nobody is listening at the BBC like to see the BBC take a Pause get the new chair when they are appointed to take a look at it too late because it's Liam where do you see this end? There is an Ending and the ending will be at some point this will be reversed because the BBC has a public duty to serve local Communities the local stations are the front door of the BBC

It's where reeta chakrabarti came in the local radio stations.

We are just going to put you out this middle class method the BBC and local radio is not like that council estate a managed 3 local.bbc stations.

It will be reversed.

I just wish they would just pause it now.

We're listening to Liam McCarthy I'm pleased to say Jason Horton who's director of production for BBC local Jason welcome back to feedback.

Thanks very much for joining us no problem are these measures going to be reversed as McCarthy seems to know I don't believe they are the greatest of respect for Liam he is a valued former colleague.

We are absolutely clear that was we have taken fun and we are continuing to listen that we are implementing the plan as we discussed the one that he gave which was to a letter.

Timeless to already there creating loads of content everyday simply put that content online Wella no cuts no job losses and all the listeners will still get to to all the local radio content they like that again.

I think Liam has been spot-on in identifying the problem.

It isn't just about getting news content online though.

It's investing in our investigative journalism.

It's about making sure more about audio is available on BBC sounds and that we can experiment with more of our content being available on the iPad as well have been tried before and they just haven't worked and he gave us a few examples.

Are you not concerned that actually the whole point about local radio? Is it? It's just that it is the fact that the presenters and the Producers really know an area is what makes local radio so special and you're going to lose in the 1990s when we merged.

Russian radio Oxford in created Thames Valley FM we managed to radio stations in 2023 radio Berkshire and Radio Oxford will remain separate radio stations for the didn't work at the radio stations between 6 split them up again because it didn't work and now you're going to make lots of regional programming the BBC did what you did in the 1990s have to say I was at that.

We've got a great example of when stations were merged and it didn't work and now you want to do that across the whole of England and that is why we're not merging any of our stay in the programming you're going to match the programming after 2 p.m.

That's true 439 local radio stations remain as 39 local radio stations in the afternoon some of our programming and at the weekends and in the evening some of our programming will be shared between some stations the idea is that we will be able to serve our audiences on.

BBC News app on BBC sounds with greater local content than they currently get 10 MPs I have written a letter to Dave from Humberside and they come from a different political parties, but they come together because they're so angry at these cuts.

I know that you haven't had a chance to meet with those a yet, but I wanted to put one of them to you and I'm just going to quote from the letter.

They said according to research from Oxford consultants for social inclusion 86% of left-behind areas are digitally excluded compared to just under a third nationally and leave behind the other 34% in doing this to BBC would be seen as retreating into an even more london-centric and urban metropolitan bubble of the podcast.

Are you leaving them behind? Are you actually increasing inequality digitally in 2023 now? I really don't believe we are and that's because we'll still have the bedrock of a really really sore local radio service in linear and regional television news service not as strong as it is today.

It will be still really strong and we will still be more local than anything else out there in certain Communities holding politicians to a PVC is the BBC companionship to I listen this as well.

I understand as much as anybody else how we have to serve those people the changes that we're putting forward absolutely do get us to a place where we will be stronger and more consistent in our overall digital offer is underpinned by a fantastic and really strong local radio and regional television news offer cheese and Liam McCarthy mentioned the idea that you could just try this in one.

Of the country and then if it was a success you might actually have staff on board rather than striking isn't that a great idea the point that we got here is that I think we've wasted too much time over the last few years is in not realising our potential around a digital ambition and not been asked to make any financial cuts in there.

I said this to you before and it remains the case now, so we've got the ability and the chance to transform our services and in order to do that.

We need to do there as quickly as we possibly can and also listening to that feedback and we've done that all the way through this last 6-months.

You have made some small robux already or BBC in London in Merseyside that you're not as confident about this plan as you wear back when we first spoken October now.

It says listening and we're taking the feed.

Listen to me outside of the BBC and inside of the BBC really badly then because it seems that you've got the BBC local radio lots of other people in BBC as you well know nearly all of our listeners saying that it's a Disaster you've even got Ofcom telling us that they have got concerns over so if it's such a good idea.

How come you haven't been able to convince any of the stakeholders, but I think not committing any of the stakeholders is actually untrue because when I also speak to you stay cold, it is there are people in there absolutely understand our strategy the terribly difficult time for so many of our and I understand the upset of the audience the bottom line is people care about local they want local to succeed and if we going to remain relevant world.

Well into the future.

We need to have that balance better across what we doing on local radio region television and crucially our digital services as well.

We can agree that local radio seems to be very important to an awful.

Lot of people Jason Horton thank you so much for joining us.

Thank you.

Is Vernon Kay said himself he had big boots to fill this week when taking over from Ken Bruce no wonder the mid-morning Radio 2? Show is the most popular radio programme in Europe back in March Radio 2 veteran, Ken Bruce shop donation when he quit after a 30 years and along with PopMaster headed off to Greatest Hits radio Vernon began his first days house to this much coveted slot promising the listeners more of the same.

This is what you thought probably bars Ramsgate I can't imagine the mid-morning slot on Radio 2 being hosted by someone different to the person who's done it for over 30 years Vernon Kay seems to fit him really well bringing his own style to the program giving a lot of energy but maybe wasn't there before.

But it's enjoyable and it will get better.

We will be here from 9:30 till 12 everyday if today goes well simplest hello Rachel from Mr I think he's sounded rubber straps rather boring.

I think he feels pressurised now because this speak soon and didn't sign with his normal for relaxed easygoing self brand new feature sit tight ladies and gentlemen hold on here.

We go it's David Curtis from Liverpool to my mind to the untrained ear.

Maybe there was a nod to playing a few more oldest.

This is a station as a whole Radio 2 is now nothing more towards the 90s and the two thousand and I'm missing my 70s and 80s tracks with seems a bit of a shame.

Please everyone all the time and stations after evolved and burnham.all settling serving baby Radio 2 new audience for me a new traveller gossip Woking in Surrey which wonderful start to what is going to be a must listen to show I wonder what treasures will be found in burland V occasionally I'll be away from my beloved Radio 3.

This is the last feedback programme of the series were back in July but in the meantime.

We still love to hear from you because there's a lot to talk about these are challenging times for BBC audio the latest listener figures from Radio came out this week and they make for sober and reading for BBC xx.

The audience for Radio 4 is done by 1.2 million compared to the same period last year down to 9.4 million from 10.6 and in fact all the main networks of dropping listeners apart from Radio 2 so do let us know your thoughts on the future of BBC audio you can email us feedback and bbc.co.uk the voice message on 03333440541 at BBC R4 feedback know next week and old friend returns to radio Room 101.

We're gas complete to banish the worst phobias grapes or just general annoyances in a locked room.

It's originated on radio, but it came off there two years ago to move to television will know it is back hosted by Paul Merton BBC employee George Orwell be used.

Two meetings in Room 101 at Broadcasting House to see if you could find a few other panel and game show that might be buffed up for a new generation time radio quiz shows sounded like this patrician and Dad on the side.

There was a time when straining to incorporate and values of informing educating and very much on the list entertaining BBC Radio producers Gilbert Harding with his Cassandra as vocal Talents as the answer to the Conundrum of how do we do a quiz?

Do these women wear any sort of distinctive clothing that we will recognise them by their standards much chance of being given a 2023 reboot as the Betamax video player or Mike Yarwood do you think you're clever to be caused by con man in pros and cons you have the chance with tonight's celebrity panel to stop the confidence tricksters and there devious ways of working funny enough.

I was doing pantomime.

That's David Jason appearing as a panelist on the radio 2 quiz show pros and cons from 1980 in which a series of confidence tricks.

I played before a panel of guests celebrities.

David is telling and I work in a hotel that you just moved from.

And he still going strong here be aware that this isn't just a minute you're listening to this is waffle when I suspect may have been approved in advance.

My word is John Julius not what would the or finding as to the cause of death with rag'n'bone man at the Carlton club, not exactly inclusive radio but this episode of the literary sentient and linguistically a child goes from 1970s is enjoyable for probably the most prolex re-record concerning James Bond Dr No of the metallic lobster claws he was buried in bird.

You was suffocated by Burial in a man of guano well at least nobody can accuse them.

I will see what I've been 205.

We need to go over to Radio 1 for that hello Dave Lee Travis and his darts themed travel top quiz which instrument does the leader of a Symphony Orchestra play apparently the cornflake only stop laughing last October 1983 that really had its fingers on the throbbing youthful pulse Boy George perhaps Freddie Mercury no not returning your call.

The producer Wells Sonic how about someone who last presented a pop music show over 20 years before and yes, it turns out that piece six five special Murray is the host pop score what you do.

It's the way that you do it with the kids in 1983 as it is today the rain should have been allowed to sing on it a lot more often now of course radio quizzes are the audio equivalent of an argument with a Young estate agents sassy full of pet.

You're unlikely to win anything for the EU that's about turkeys voting for Christmas that's Turkey plucking themselves can bring up into the oven and an anal penetration themselves with sage.

I just think it's a bit money once I left vs.

Right.

Are you sorry? I'm gonna have to do all your points that you mentioned the term new wants in relation to brexit.

Is it going to be quite sure that it's Room 101 in its shiny all-new 2023 ludic glory should take heed of the quizzes that came before it and be grateful, but it has been deemed worthy of a revival it red noisily on the bones of the quizzes that until this feedback package would destined to be very deep in the tomb BBC Radio V and maybe just maybe that's why they should stay.

I hope you enjoyed our program on the same time next week until them for me a good night.

Good luck.

Thank you very much and the new series of Room 101 presented by Paul Merson starts on Radio 4 on Wednesday the 24th of May well.

That's it from us for this series will be back again in July but we are always listening.

So thank you very much for doing so too and giving us your feedback.

I'm Andrea catherwood the producer is Jill Davies and feedback is a whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 2 Jeremy Bowen the BBC's international editor for nearly 40 years.

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