The BBC is to cut 139 jobs in Local Radio as it keeps the standardised schedule format introduced in March and creates a new network late show.
Gutted for the many trusted voices and their teams. I just hope the many loyal older listeners about to lose their favourite presenter(s) will continue to feel welcome and heard by the new network shows.
Local radio is expensive but could be more cost-effective with fewer managers and smaller, equally committed, teams.
I wholeheartedly support BBC LR but it mustn’t lose focus on the core 50+ demographic and certainly mustn't think it can serve everyone with some hybrid music & content policy. Even further decline would result in calls to axe which I wouldn’t want to see.
While quality local news and information is a hugely valued aspect, in order to thrive, it ultimately needs to be a true friend of those who value it most.
In February 2020, when Storm Dennis hit, not only did Radio York and Radio Leeds share the latest fact-checked information such as travel news and official advice from the authorities, they put an arm around listeners with reassuring words.
See also this moving letter from an elderly listener sent to Radio Solent after he passed away to say how much his favourite station meant to him, this heart-breaking account from Radio Cornwall and the Make a Difference campaign, including offering free DAB radio sets to vulnerable people over 70.
There’s also never been a better time for more collaboration with community radio, especially where the BBC station covers a large region and is unable to do hyperlocal in the same way. After all, vital public service output is precisely the purpose your licence fee serves.
Community Media Association members have been given free access to BBC content this year. Equally, when quality audio is produced by a community project (including those with no FM/DAB broadcast), the BBC can broadcast it. I believe partnering with local organisations generally is key to CR success.
No comments:
Post a Comment