Several BBC Radio listeners have expressed their dismay at the broadcaster after it announced its latest project which sees extensions and new shows on BBC Radio 1, Radio 2 and Radio 3.
Over the last year, many BBC Radio presenters such as Ken Bruce, Steve Wright, Graham Norton, Scott Mills, and Vanessa Feltz all stepped down and left their long-term BBC Radio shows.
The BBC has continued to make changes to its radio stations which included some local radio stations being changed or shut down.
However, its recent announcement to launch new shows with “new sounds” on its X, formerly Twitter, account has left some furious.
The official BBC Press Office account posted: “Plans announced for new, distinctive digital music station as extensions for Radio 1, Radio 2, and Radio 3 on DAB+ and @BBCSounds.
“They will delve deeper into specific genres and periods of music with context, curation and storytelling.”
📢 Plans announced for new, distinctive digital music stations as extensions for Radio 1, Radio 2 and Radio 3
— BBC Press Office (@bbcpress) February 7, 2024
On DAB+ and @BBCSounds, they will delve deeper into specific genres and periods of music with context, curation and storytelling
Read more ➡️ https://t.co/dDWqmoH0zA pic.twitter.com/NG5v9FSbuk
It didn’t take long for furious BBC listeners to make their opinions clear and quickly left comments underneath the post.
One furious listener exclaimed: “Why do you all seem to delight in wasting our money on things that aren’t needed?
“We just need the old Radio 2 back & actual local radio. I know your management types are on too much money and feel like they need to justify their existence but there was nothing wrong to start with!”
“Horse has bolted I’m afraid. You should have left #R2 as it was,” a second echoed with a third adding: “Perhaps Radio 2 shouldn’t have axed the shows that already played this sort of stuff? Just a thought.”
Steve Wright was one of the presenters to leave the station
BBC
Avid listeners of the local radio were upset as one “confused” user added: “BBC have decimated local radio to save money and now spend money on this. Help it make sense.”
“Spend the money on reinstating all the cuts in local radio, as your listeners actually want,” a fifth penned before another agreed: “Too little too late @bbc. You didn’t listen at the time and now we’ve all left!” (sic)
GB News has contacted the BBC for a comment.
However, some appeared to welcome the announcement, including one X user who weighed in: “Well if this is a genuine attempt to acknowledge the mistakes made at Radio 2 then it is welcome. I might actually tune back in.”
And a second lauded: “Great to see the progress that the UK and the Beeb are making on DAB+ testing and rollouts.”
The proposed extensions will be streamlined, curating on-demand music programs available on BBC Sounds, with archive material being played.
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Vernon Kay recently joined BBC Radio 2
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BBC has claimed it is a cost-effective way to reach audiences where listening is growing as people move over from FM.
Lorna Clarke, Director of BBC Music, explained “Our stations have captured the history of music in the UK during the past six decades for our audiences, and we now want to give them more choice from the BBC as listening habits are changing.
“Our extensions for Radio 1, Radio 2 and Radio 3 will allow listeners to deep-dive into more pop and classical genres and periods of music they love the most, uniquely created by the BBC.
“They’ll get a deeper listening experience than what’s available elsewhere, hear brilliant storytelling through our extensive archive, and discover more music to love whatever their mood.”