Is there anything more exciting than US election coverage?

This is more of a TV post so forgive me (although the two mediums are now arguably closer than ever before thanks to social media and new simulcast operations!)

I've been unable to switch off CNN’s midterm elections coverage. It's always so well executed and engaging - the slickest of the slick.

As a Brit, watching live data and in-depth analysis while polls are still open is unthinkable and fascinating. It’s a totally different ball game. In our elections, a UK broadcaster would be in breach simply for suggesting bad weather might affect turnout.

I’m all for being fair and balanced. Nothing I’ve heard tonight has been blatantly partisan; just concise presentation of the facts and number crunching that may encourage more people to cast their ballot - which is something to celebrate, surely?

It could be argued the US approach raises the risk of those who are politically unengaged facing pressure from politically engaged friends and family to further a particular agenda, but that has always happened and will always happen regardless of what the TV or radio is reporting.

Social media is at odds with broadcast media on polling day in that the former is talking about nothing other than politics and the latter isn’t allowed to talk about politics - therefore people are largely getting information (or perhaps misinformation) from unregulated platforms.

As long as broadcasters are impartial and stick to the facts, why couldn’t we take a more relaxed, interactive and modern approach over here too?

(And bring about electoral reform so every vote counts - actually, that’s another post for another time!)

Taking the Local out of Local BBC Radio

In the biggest shake up of Local BBC Radio to date, more regional and national programme sharing has been announced as part of a plan to redistribute £19m from broadcast to online and digital news production.

• Weekdays 6am-2pm: locally-produced output will continue on each of the 39 stations in England
• Weekdays 2pm-6pm: 18 regional shows
• Weekdays 6pm-10pm & Weekends 6am-10am: 10 regional shows
• Weekends 10am-2pm: 12 regional shows
• Every night 10pm-1am & Sundays 2pm-6pm: all-England network show
• Stations will still provide local sports coverage on Saturdays and will continue to opt out for match commentaries

You can read more about the changes here.

Further details were outlined at a staff meeting on Tuesday including that every Local BBC Radio presenter is at risk of redundancy with a need to reapply for jobs or go through a selection for retention scheme.

Jason Horton, Acting Director of BBC England, was grilled by Pat Sissons and listeners on BBC Radio Solent and it's worth a listen (only the BBC would interview a Local BBC Radio manager on Local BBC Radio justifying cuts to Local BBC Radio!)

My immediate thoughts are with every talented employee or freelancer affected by this brutal plan.

I know it sounds cliché but there have never been more alternative ways to utilise your skills and I’m sure exciting opportunities will arise.

If you're a long-time reader/follower you'll know: I'm a huge supporter of both the BBC and local radio - and when BBC stations do it well, they do it VERY well.

For example, in the event of a major local incident, purveying trusted information is one thing but truly being the hub of your community in that situation is about connection, comfort and reassurance.

In the same way, when times are tough we turn to our neighbours; we venture out to the pub and share experiences with locals.

Local BBC Radio is an astonishingly expensive beast - £117m per annum to be precise - and it's hard to justify when effective commercial services that no longer exist were able to operate on a fraction of the cost.

I wouldn't call for budgets to be slashed to match that, as the BBC should be distinctive and produce content the private sector couldn't afford or lacks the resources to provide, but there's no reason why it couldn't be delivered cheaper and more efficiently - focusing heavily on older audiences in communities the listener and the station would both call home.

Sadly, more networking and further regionalisation was always going to be the first port of call. Why does it always seem to be the programming, and consequently the consumer, that is first to bear the brunt of changes?

Frankly, if a broadcast region is so big and disconnected from real life that it can’t make an impact locally, it might as well be national. Network a big name who appeals to the core demographic and grow audiences that way.

What's so frustrating is the disparity between vast swathes of staff, who get it, and BBC management.

Either continue being authentically local, offer a targeted and polished national product or do both.

One small-scale mux for man...

I was delighted to be invited to the official launch of Winchester's small-scale DAB multiplex this weekend.

Great to attend the official launch of Winchester’s small-scale DAB multiplex today - bringing more stations/formats to listeners in and around the city 📻 @ukdabnet @ashelford @roymartin @winchestertoday pic.twitter.com/qeozrN9oKk

— Harrison RB (@HarrisonRBRadio) October 8, 2022

As reported by RadioToday, the event was held at Winchester Today HQ in the city centre with representatives from some of the 18 services carried on the local DAB+ platform.

Currently, Ofcom is advertising round four of its SS-DAB rollout with the fifth to come in 2023 (including Alton, Petersfield & Haslemere which, at Shine Radio, we are very excited for).

Unsurprisingly, research shows analogue listening is in decline; but while online has been growing, DAB is far bigger in the UK (as explained here).

While it's true that digital radio has allowed new formats to be viable, building a sustainable traditional radio business always requires great understanding coupled with fresh thinking. WHO is listening? WHAT do they want? HOW can we offer it distinctively?

It's very unlikely that a music station broadcasting on a single SS-DAB mux would be profitable, especially if you employ staff on top of licencing & transmission costs and hope to make a return on investment purely through sponsorship and promotions.

However, these multiplexes are ideal for well-supported not-for-profit organisations and commercial services looking to reach bigger audiences.

Loved the show, Steve

After 23 years on BBC Radio 2, and previously (but not immediately before) on Radio 1, Steve Wright in the Afternoon has come to an end... at least for now!

A huge thank you to Steve Wright for his 23 years of Steve Wright In The Afternoon! 🧡

Read in full 👉 https://t.co/Joqs2nL0RL pic.twitter.com/zL1a83lOHB

— BBC Radio 2 (@BBCRadio2) September 29, 2022

Scott Mills, who left Radio 1 a month ago, will take over the reigns in a couple of weeks.

The move comes as the station looks to close the gap between itself and Radio 1 by repositioning towards the younger end of its remit (35+).

There are a few key sentences in Wright's statement:

• In advance of our last SWITA show for a while...

• I’m not retiring!!! I repeat, I am NOT retiring!!!

• I am taking a break from daytime radio...

“…as it’s the last one today…

…on Radio 2.”

😉#SteveWrightInTheAfternoon

— Harrison RB (@HarrisonRBRadio) September 30, 2022

While he says about both continuing with the Sunday Love Songs show and hosting some seasonal specials for Radio 2, as well as Serious Jockin' exclusively on BBC Sounds and another podcast, one would've expected other offers to come rolling in almost immediately after the announcement.

In the avoidance of sounding like Digital Spy, I won't dwell on this too much; but where would Steve's natural commercial home be?

Greatest Hits Radio is the most obvious. The point has been made that SWITA wouldn't be on-brand for Virgin Radio, unless it's taking a "talent first, station second" approach whereby the outlet is merely a platform for big names.

An ode to "the big show"

Some of my earliest, fondest memories of falling in love with radio involve Steve Wright. He is my radio hero - someone who massively influenced me and helped me find my own presentation style.

As one of the most hardworking creatives around, he's been a constant, through the good times and the bad, and always given it his all in every show. Consistency counts for a lot in radio.

Wright gets a lot of stick; from the press - over his salary or, appallingly, appearance - and from those who find his style tedious (each to their own); but none of this has held him back as a legendary familiar voice with jolly jingles that has been a comfort blanket to millions.

His last show was typically humble and unique in its own right but still the same format we've come to know and love each weekday.

New audio - And so it begins. The final #SteveWrightInTheAfternoon @BBCRadio2 starts.#AircheckDownloads pic.twitter.com/rstPi0GpAc

— Aircheck Downloads (@airchecks) September 30, 2022

New audio - We're almost at the end. Some closing words from #SteveWrightInTheAfternoon @BBCRadio2 (Sept 30th 2022).#AircheckDownloads pic.twitter.com/0DKnIB3rWM

— Aircheck Downloads (@airchecks) September 30, 2022

New audio - There we go. The final moments of #SteveWrightInTheAfternoon @BBCRadio2 (Sept 30th 2022). #AircheckDownloads pic.twitter.com/MMNgZiqSNu

— Aircheck Downloads (@airchecks) September 30, 2022

When presenters are trusted to say goodbye to their loyal listeners with a spectacular send-off, the result is magical and just epitomises why we love radio.

The outpouring of affection for someone we feel we know personally and the memories they made with us.

It’s so special.

"They're a bit local radio"

As Liz Truss comes out of hiding amid economic turmoil with the standard pre-conference regional media round, the night before saw plenty of snobbery from some critics who believed Local BBC Radio would give the PM an easy ride.

Truss appeared on Leeds, Norfolk, Kent, Lancashire, Nottingham, Tees, Bristol and Stoke and will also sit down with regional TV news.

Did the government itself assume local radio would be lightweight? We don't know, although talking to regional media ahead of the party conference is traditional.

One thing's for sure: anybody who did believe this was proved wrong.

PoliticsJOE has published the highlights of each grilling:

"JUST a local radio presenter" or "they’re a bit local radio" has a whole new meaning.

Each of the interviews shows the real talent and skill that Local BBC Radio has to offer - from those working their way up, to others proudly looking after their communities for many years.

“JUST a local radio presenter” or “they’re a bit local radio” has a whole new meaning today.

This morning shows the real talent and skill - from those working their way up, to others proudly looking after their communities for many years - and the snobbery has been proved wrong.

— Harrison RB (@HarrisonRBRadio) September 29, 2022

Introducing outsiders to the inner workings of community radio

The Shine Radio team enjoyed a productive but fun development day this weekend as we provided training for new and existing volunteers.

Great day at the @shineradio team development day, including hosting another training session myself - always a pleasure spending time with these guys and nice to meet some of our new volunteers 💚 pic.twitter.com/tjwd9BugbC

— Harrison RB (@HarrisonRBRadio) September 24, 2022

Veteran radio consultant and media law expert Paul Chantler delivered the first session on legal and Ofcom compliance and broadcast journalist John Ryan discussed avoiding clichés in news bulletins and storytelling in as few words as possible.

I was delighted to host audio production training as well as introduce some of our programming and share details of an exciting future project.

The afternoon also included a recording of Shine Radio's weekly magazine programme, the P pod. I was invited to talk about my roles at the station and the voluntary opportunities we offer local people.

Our diverse team consists of all ages and people from all walks of life who share a passion for their community and a will to give something back.

While all of us love making radio, it's not the sole reason for getting involved.

The dedication to serving local listeners is what makes this so special.

Working with a voluntary project is a delightful challenge in itself as you're introducing techniques and technology for the very first time.

You have to adopt the radio presentation skills of sharing new information with the listener and not using jargon.

*initiating Obit mode* - for The Queen

In April 2021, I wrote about radio's response to the death of Prince Philip.

Prince Philip is not The Queen whose death will spark a more widespread emotional response.

Shortly after 12:30pm last Thursday (8th September), following the unusual passing of a note to the Prime Minister Liz Truss in the House of Commons, Buckingham Palace released a statement to say that doctors were concerned for Queen Elizabeth's health and that she was under medical supervision.

This would not have been published unless it was significant - and the country would begin to prepare for the worst over the next six hours.

Everybody in radio is doing the same thing.

— Harrison RB (@HarrisonRBRadio) September 8, 2022

At 6:30pm, the Palace confirmed that The Queen had died peacefully at Balmoral.

RadioToday reports that Times Radio was the first national station to break the news just one minute later.

At Global, after a pre-recorded network bulletin and several minutes of classical music, the entire group simulcast a special live programme from LBC hosted by Andrew Marr and Shelagh Fogarty until 10pm before each brand broke away for tailored Obit playlists which continued over the weekend, presenter-led.

Bauer's handling was similar, with a mix of news updates, sombre music to suit each format, reflections from presenters and listener interaction.

Best music radio I’ve heard tonight is @andycrane64 on @greatesthitsuk. Real and warm with listener interaction at the forefront - including a positive outlook following the King’s speech; refreshing to hear people looking to the future as opposed to purely dwelling on the past.

— Harrison RB (@HarrisonRBRadio) September 9, 2022

A clockstart BBC News announcement interrupted normal output on all its stations at 6:36pm and they continued to simulcast with Radio 4 until 7am on Friday (9th September).

Firstly, I'd like to say well done to those in all sectors who, whatever your views, excelled in their duties.

Whatever it does, a broadcaster (particularly the BBC) cannot win right now.

You're either hounded by those who want normal programming or hounded by the right-wing media and royalists.

It’s clear that what audiences have come to expect and what they actually want can be different.

This is not a criticism of anybody following a procedure.

BBC News (on all platforms) has been exceptional; providing both what is expected of it and wanted by many.

Trusting usual BBC radio presenters - who can play a vital role in times like these - to keep their loyal listeners company throughout was the right call too.

My point is a political one. Given how much consumer choice exists nowadays, I wish people were more accepting of radio stations delivering what their listeners actually want as opposed to what has been historically expected of them all.

In this case, a mood may be reflective of certain audiences but less so of others - "the nation" is too broad.

For example, local radio in traditional little Petersfield should probably respond differently and more sensitively to a youth station in Birmingham (which I’m sure has a brilliantly-programmed Obit playlist tailored to the format - but is its audience going to be mourning the Queen’s death in the same way?)

We have all lost and will all lose friends and family members as time progresses. There is nothing harder to go through.

If it's purely out of respect and not accurately reflecting how listeners feel or providing what they want, I don't see why royalty should be worthy of such extortionate measures over another prominent individual who has sadly died - particularly if it's someone the audience has a genuine connection with or tragic circumstances.