Liberal Vision

BBC plugs public service in favour of popularity

The BBC (which seems to have even less of a finger on the pulse of the nation than our Prime Minister ….if that is actually possible) seems to have gone and done it again.

Let me give you a bit of background…..

Radio 2’s remit is to cater for those aged 35 and older. Now, Radio 2 has been under considerable fire recently for chasing younger audiences. RadioCentre, (a group representing the BBC’s commercial rivals) has already made a formal complaint to the corporation’s internal watchdog that listeners aged 15 to 34, represent the fastest-growing group of Radio 2 listeners. Note this is with Terry Wogan (aged 71) hosting its breakfast show (the average age of a Terry Wogan breakfast show listener is reckoned to be about 52).

 
In contrast, Radio 1’s remit is to cater for 15-34 year olds. Radio 1 has also been under fire. Just last month it was identified as a possible sell off target by the Tories for not fulfilling its obligation to the 15-34’s. It’s average age appears to be creeping upwards. Chris Moyles (age 35) presents the radio 1 breakfast show.

 
With that in mind, the BBC is now faced with the problem. Who to put into Terry Wogan’s seat when he steps down from the most high profile radio breakfast show in the UK. Its a big decision. Radio’s 1 and  2 each attract about 8 million listeners. Thats quite a few people.

So, the BBC’s choice to replace beloved Wogan? erm… Chris Evans (age 43).
I don’t know if this Mandelson-esque arrogance or just pure incompetence on the part of the BBC. Moyles vs Wogan – reasonable choice for the 16million (licence fee-paying) radio listeners that tune in each morning to one or other show. Moyles vs Evans – no choice. Go away oldies and find some other station to listen to.

 
What we clearly have  are two purportedly public service radio stations both moving inexorably toward the middle ground of those in their thirties. Public Service plugged in favour of popularity.

Personally I object to an enforced tax handed over to an organisation that cant control its budgets, its presenters, or it seems its station controllers. But when it actually falls measurably short of meeting the remits under which it is charged to operate, its time to say enough. If it has got too big. If it has lost sight of its purpose. If it cant carry out something as simple as run two complimentary radio stations without cocking it up, then it really is time to undertake some drastic surgery.