What's Happening On Bbc Radio 2?

Discussion in 'Lounge' started by johne, Jan 17, 2023.

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  1. johne

    johne Standing on the shoulders of dwarves.

    Jan 16, 2020
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    Where the Wolds meet the sea
    #1 johne, Jan 17, 2023
    Last edited: Jan 17, 2023
    With apologies to our overseas friends who don't listen to this particular radio channel, I wonder what your views are on the changes at BBC Radio 2 to those who are regular listeners like me.

    Recently Scott Mills took over the afternoon slot from Steve Wright and I understand Ken Bruce is stepping down from 30 plus years of hosting his morning programme. These particular views are obviously my own and I mean no disrespect or otherwise.

    #1 I like Ken Bruce, and am very sorry to hear he's leaving, but he is well over 70 years old now (sorry Ken, I suppose I'm not that far behind you) His show is apparently the most popular currently on the channel so whomever takes over has big shoes to fill.

    #2 I'm not a fan of Scott Mills (sorry Scott as I said, nothing personal) but in my humble opinion, he's got about as much charisma as a plate of cold cabbage. I think it was time for Steve Wright to step down as he seemed to be, in his latter years on the show, fixated with telling us at every opportunity, how long it was until his next episode of serious Jockin (no G) but was Mr Mills the correct person to take over? Well obviously I think not.

    #3 The lunchtime programme has been the preserve of Jeremy Vine for quite a while now. Again its my opinion, but please Jeremy, go and find a desert island to live on and let someone else have a go on the radio. His whiney voice and obvious inane statements when interviewing guests and listeners phoning in, means I turn to a different channel at exactly 12 noon as soon as Ken finishes..

    #4 The two ladies (Zoe Ball and Sarah Cox) who present the breakfast and teatime slots are excellent, so imo again, no issues for me.

    As I said at the top, you may agree or strongly disagree with my views, but I'd be interested to hear your opinions on where the BBC2 radio daytime channel seems to be heading..
     
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  2. Pegscraper

    Pegscraper Elite Member

    Jun 12, 2020
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    I agree with most of your views with the exception of #4. I was never a fan of Zoe Ball taking over from Chris Evans but no big deal now as she's off air by the time I get up and Sara Cox's voice and presentation just annoys the living sh*t out of me. Ditto Jo Whiley, who I just find hard to listen to and before anyone calls me a misogynist, Lisa Tarbuck's Saturday show is brilliant!, Ken Bruce's departure certainly will take some filling. I used to like Jeremy Vine but he's gradually changed his style and approach to his show IMO. Apparently, many presenters were/are unhappy with the BBC being required to publish salaries which may well have played a part in their decision to leave.

    My BBC2 favourites are:
    Ken Bruce weekdays.
    Lisa Tarbuck, Paul Gambaccini and Tony Blackburn (via sound APP) on Saturday.
    Johnnie Walker's Sounds of the 70's on Sunday.:)

    Remember DLT's and Adrian Juste's R1 shows on Saturday and Sunday back in the 80's. Another two of my all time favourite radio shows.

    Everyone will have their favourites but as the saying goes, you can't please everybody all of the time.
     
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  3. Sir Trev

    Sir Trev Senior Member

    May 27, 2017
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    Another downvote for Zoe here. Too much chat when I just want music on my way to work. I can stream Spotify in the car now so I rarely listen to radio as I travel any more.
     
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  4. Samsgrandad

    Samsgrandad Senior Member

    Dec 15, 2019
    496
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    Somerset
    Ken Bruce is starting a new show on 'Greatest Hits Radio' where a number of other ex Radio 2 presenters are already, Simon Mayo, Mark Goodier and others.
    I agree that Radio 2 is changing but then if anything in the entertainment industry stays the same it will eventually fade away.
    My view is that it is not changing for the better but that is my personal view, others may think it is time for a change and those changes are for the better, we can vote by changing channels which i have done for most of the day, after all there is now plenty of choice!
     
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  5. Helmut Visor

    Helmut Visor Only dead fish go with the flow
    Subscriber

    Oct 3, 2018
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    Gave up on BBC Radio many moons ago. It's Radio Paradise (internet only), Planet Rock or Absolute Radio for me
     
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  6. Adie P

    Adie P Crème de la Crème

    Jul 7, 2018
    3,620
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    In a 'former life' and for very may years I didn't own, or want to own, a TV so music and radio were mainstays and, as a hard rock fan, I was never really well served by public broadcast radio. So, serious radio; politics, current affairs and 6:30 comedy meant that Radio 4 was very much the "stuff of life" for me when my stereo set up wasn't assaulting the neighbourhood with Zep., Purple or AC/DC.

    When digital radio emerged I did find Planet Rock and, in its early days, was an avid listener - at last, a "proper music" station! But, for me personally, its early days were its heydays - decent music, reasonable presenters and very few ad. breaks. That, of course, didn't seem to last long - economics ruled and gradually the ads became so inane and SO intrusive that I returned, somewhat sadly, to R4.

    Now, with Amazon Echos (other 'smart speaker' systems may be available!) placed in a number of rooms in the house, radio has become much easier to access and listen to, and the sound quality is surprisingly good so I've rediscovered the true pleasures of radio in Classic FM. Good music ...... really good music - if you don't mind the majority of it being written a few hundred years ago - good presenters and far, far fewer of the intrusive, inane ad. breaks. And the music's not all Beethoven; Brahms, and Chopin (BBC, d'you see?) - there's a real variety played including stuff like film scores (The Lord of the Rings music score features commonly); modern classics from the likes of Copland; Einaudi and Sir Karl JENKINS - he of the moustache and formerly a Soft Machine member. Generally, though, the mix is towards the 'lighter' end of the classic music spectrum and, by and large, it's usually the (relatively) shorter elements and pieces of that music. So, with longer musical pieces played, ad. breaks are, by and large, restricted to two or three per hour - despite which, they remain annoyingly inane and repetitive. I guess that's how they work. I've also found that Classsic FM is far easier on the ears - and the heart rate - when I'm driving long distance and/or overnight.

    Works for me. :)
     
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  7. Johnjo

    Johnjo Senior Member

    May 29, 2017
    545
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    I reckon the Beebs policy of " upgrading " your favourite radio 2 DJ's is their way of saying its time should be listening to radio 4. Lol.

    It's Gold radio or Greatist Hits radio for me now.
     
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  8. Kinjane

    Kinjane Active Member

    Oct 15, 2017
    233
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    Bristol, Land of Enger
    Radio Paradise (MQA feed) is the only radio station I currently listen to.
     
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  9. Wessa

    Wessa Cruising

    Apr 27, 2016
    11,317
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    Don’t know as the only BBC radio station I listen to is 5 live. Other that that absolute rock or smooth radio if I’m in the mood for something lighter. :)
     
  10. Wattie

    Wattie Well-Known Member

    Feb 25, 2020
    350
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    UK
    I think radio2 has been slowly telling me that I am not it's target audience.... It happens a lot in my life.. My favourite motorcycle manufacture did it to me, my favourite camera manufacturer did it to me.. Still I stagger on, confidence dented....
     
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  11. Helmut Visor

    Helmut Visor Only dead fish go with the flow
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    Oct 3, 2018
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    It's a real revelation, loads of unheard of mixes or covers, virtually no DJ waffle and no ads. What's not to like :cool:
     
  12. Helmut Visor

    Helmut Visor Only dead fish go with the flow
    Subscriber

    Oct 3, 2018
    6,095
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    It's a real revelation, loads of unheard of mixes or covers, virtually no DJ waffle and no ads. What's not to like :cool:
     
  13. Oldskool

    Oldskool Elite Member

    Jan 29, 2019
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    Thanks for the tip, but, what is an MQA Feed ?
     
  14. Helmut Visor

    Helmut Visor Only dead fish go with the flow
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    Oct 3, 2018
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    #14 Helmut Visor, Jan 19, 2023
    Last edited: Jan 21, 2023
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  15. Linx

    Linx Well-Known Member

    Mar 14, 2020
    195
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    Stratford Upon Avon, UK
    Planet Rock :imp:
     
  16. Peter B

    Peter B Active Member

    May 24, 2020
    206
    43
    West Yorkshire
    Ken Bruce is the only one I've listened to for quite a while now.

    Jeremy Whine just annoys, especially when he gets on his "cyclists can do no wrong" high horse.

    I tend to listen to whatever I have on the phone now when I'm riding or driving.

    Looks like I'll be trying a few different stations now, or go to YouTube.
     
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  17. garethr

    garethr Well-Known Member

    Sep 18, 2015
    152
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    BRISTOL UK
    #17 garethr, Jan 24, 2023
    Last edited: Jan 24, 2023
    I spent about three decades wishing for Radio 1.5 because Radio 2 had too many programmes for old people and too much chat - brass bands, musicals, Friday Night is Music Night, Jimmy Young/Jeremy Vine etc. - and Radio 1 was for 14 year-olds.

    Now they seem to be trying to attract the 30 year-olds who feel uncomfortable among the 14 year-olds who listen to Radio 1, and I want Radio 2.5.

    And I'm an old person... :cool:

    EDIT:
    Oh, and I'm tired of "presenters". There were planty of annoying radio DJs in the "good old days", but at least they were there because they knew about and loved popular music, from pap through pop, rock, folk, country, blues to jazz. Now they mostly seem to be people who really want to be fronting a long running daytime TV show.
     
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  18. Helmut Visor

    Helmut Visor Only dead fish go with the flow
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    Oct 3, 2018
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    The other option which is a bit like the Radio 1.5 you were looking for is Radio 6 :cool:
     
  19. Geoff70

    Geoff70 New Member

    Jan 24, 2023
    11
    3
    Belle Plaine, Minnesota
    Steve Wright has gone and Ken Bruce is leaving? what happened to Mayo's afternoon slot? it may be obvious that I moved to the US 8 years ago and lost contact with BBC2
     
  20. Pegscraper

    Pegscraper Elite Member

    Jun 12, 2020
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