Alan Davey, new controller, R3

[aeolium]

As evidence for my claim that post-10pm on Sunday avoids clashes with popular tv drama, see a whole host of Forumistas waxing lyrical about Foyle's War (Sun 8.00 to 10.00) on the Joy of Mozart thread (bizarrely - even for them).

It may avoid such clashes but you have yet to demonstrate evidentially that there is a rush of those watching popular TV drama to listen to unpopular radio drama (for we know from statistics that it is unpopular, whether it is at 8 pm or 10 pm), or indeed that those really interested in hearing Do3 on Sunday evening would be deterred by the fact that it might clash with what's on TV. And that's without considering things like i-player and DVD recorders.

Personally I am less influenced by the timing of Do3 than the fact that it has become dominated by recent repeats and adaptations of novels (a repeat last Sunday and one next week). I agree that the way forward is for more partnerships between R3 and theatre companies, which may mean fewer bespoke productions but at least expose the listener to good new (and old) drama being performed in British theatres.

[Honoured Guest]

It may avoid such clashes but you have yet to demonstrate evidentially that there is a rush of those watching popular TV drama to listen to unpopular radio drama ...

You're quite right. That's why I asked French Frank if she could turn up any listening stats for Drama on 3 to compare its various regular start times in recent years - 8.00, 6.30, 8.30 and now 10.00.

Personally, I'm significantly more likely to listen now at 10.00 than when it was at 8.00 or 8.30 and clashed with tv drama, although the 6.30 slot was also good as it then usually finished well before 9.00 and so avoided most tv clashes. I never completely accustomed myself to the c--- and f--- language in the early evening because it's unusual to hear my radio talking like that at teatime, but Radio 3 was happy with it and so I gradually got more used to it too.

One mis-step in Drama on 3, imo, is the move to a usual length of 90 minutes - for scheduling and commissioning reasons, I assume. It seems obvious to me that this must compromise the integrity of the productions - after all, it used to be the proud boast of Radio 3 that it allowed each drama to "find its own length". The 10pm start has removed the scheduling reason because some music by a BBC Performing Group can now be scheduled at any length to plug the variable gap between Drama and Thru the Nite.

By the way, I thought Mrs Updike last night was very easy to listen to but also very rewarding to hear and think about.

[french frank]

You're quite right. That's why I asked French Frank if she could turn up any listening stats for Drama on 3 to compare its various regular start times in recent years - 8.00, 6.30, 8.30 and now 10.00.

I only have very few isolated examples, nothing specifically related to start times. Though if my argument holds, the question will not be 'What time brings in the largest audience for Do3?' but 'What programme will get the biggest audience for any particular slot?'

Personally, I'm significantly more likely to listen now at 10.00 than when it was at 8.00 or 8.30 and clashed with tv drama, although the 6.30 slot was also good as it then usually finished well before 9.00 and so avoided most tv clashes.

The issue arose because Paul Donovan expressed the hope that it would be moved to 'to post-3pm on a weekday'. I think I marginally preferred it at 6.30, but failing that, 8pm.

One mis-step in Drama on 3, imo, is the move to a usual length of 90 minutes - for scheduling and commissioning reasons, I assume.

I had also thought the rationale of 'All Fixed Points' related to the requirements of the iPlayer, where fixed points make setting the separate programme lengths easier. But it was only a thought.

[Nick Armstrong]

Interesting recent twitter activity:

John Shea retweeted
Petroc Trelawny Jan 29
'no dumbing down @BBCRadio3' the line from Alan Davey's @aborchestras speech that makes headlines. Read in full here http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/spe...alan-davey-abo

[teamsaint]

Interesting recent twitter activity:

John Shea retweeted
Petroc Trelawny Jan 29
'no dumbing down @BBCRadio3' the line from Alan Davey's @aborchestras speech that makes headlines. Read in full here http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/spe...alan-davey-abo

All a bit Mandy Rice Davey's, then?

[Barbirollians]

Petroc is one of the biggest of the dumbing downers - indeed his original terrible breakfast show when he was "poached " from Classic FM started the rot .

[Zucchini]

He [AD] hasn't got time time to worry about things like that.

His first task is to set up a working party to reclaim the coffee machine Radio 6 nicked the day before he joined.

[french frank]

Petroc is one of the biggest of the dumbing downers - indeed his original terrible breakfast show when he was "poached " from Classic FM started the rot .

That isn't quite a statement of fact, is it? If I remember, in The Envy of the World people were crying 'dumbing down' (or similar) when Nicholas Kenyon first introduced On Air and In Tune - light programmes for busy people. Andrew McGregor and Piers Burton-Page were early presenters. I certainly remember Andrew losing the news headlines just when he wanted to read them out (they should do this more often now).

[Barbirollians]

That isn't quite a statement of fact, is it? If I remember, in The Envy of the World people were crying 'dumbing down' (or similar) when Nicholas Kenyon first introduced On Air and In Tune - light programmes for busy people. Andrew McGregor and Piers Burton-Page were early presenters. I certainly remember Andrew losing the news headlines just when he wanted to read them out (they should do this more often now).

I remember that when PT started introducing On Air that there was something of a rumpus and I remember how his presenting style jarred horribly .

[Don Petter]

I remember that when PT started introducing On Air that there was something of a rumpus and I remember how his presenting style jarred horribly .

Perhaps he stands out less now that the others' styles have been debased, but he still sounds to me as if he has just spotted something slightly distasteful.

[Nick Armstrong]

Perhaps he stands out less now that the others' styles have been debased

I do remember thinking that the rot started to set in audibly with PT.... as you say, compared with others (or perhaps because he's grown up a bit), he doesn't stand out now as the worst.

[Wallace]

Interesting recent twitter activity:

John Shea retweeted
Petroc Trelawny Jan 29
'no dumbing down @BBCRadio3' the line from Alan Davey's @aborchestras speech that makes headlines. Read in full here http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/spe...alan-davey-abo

Well Mr Davey will have a lot to do. I undertook a long car journey today and thought I might listen to Radio 3. It didn't go well.
0630-0900: Nothing need be said. Just dire.
0900-1200: Good in parts but hardly stimulating. Already dumbed down.
1200-1300: Most satisfactory.
1300-1400: It had potential but blighted by you know who presenting - akin to fingernails on a blackboard.
1400-1630: As 1300-1400
1630-1830: Already dumbed down and needing resuscitation.

With only one hour out of twelve being output of which the BBC could be proud, there is a lot to be done. I hope Mr Davey has a plan. I do: CDs and a recording of Through the Night for my next journey.

[french frank]

With only one hour out of twelve being output of which the BBC could be proud, there is a lot to be done. I hope Mr Davey has a plan. I do: CDs and a recording of Through the Night for my next journey.

Just a quick update then.

The survey report will be quite substantial and a first part was sent off today to the controller. This was in fact the final Appendix, consisting of 42 pages which were 15 complete responses covering a range of listeners (not all FoR3 supporters). As Alan Davey seems to be stressing that he is currently in listening mode, this seemed like a good moment to get in a first instalment (and remind him that there is more to come)

The analysis itself is still in progress.

[Wallace]

Thanks ff. A small snowdrop in an otherwise bleak landscape. Let us hope it is noticed and nurtured. I am sure you will keep us briefed and will let us know Mr Davey's response.
At some stage will you be publishing your report?

[french frank]

Thanks ff. A small snowdrop in an otherwise bleak landscape. Let us hope it is noticed and nurtured. I am sure you will keep us briefed and will let us know Mr Davey's response.
At some stage will you be publishing your report?

Yes, it will be on our website, but I think it courteous to allow the Controller to see it first. I don't think I'll post the Appendix but will regard the actual responses as 'confidential' :-)