The Eternal Breakfast Debate in a New Place

[french frank]

In the last eight months you looked twice.
I probably looked about 240 times...

Yes, I look at it to see if there will be a programme which for me is worth listening to. After all, I used to listen at that time every morning. Without fail. Now it's officially a 'primary entry point for new listeners' which is as good as saying 'Sorry, chum, this isn't meant to be for you'. (It reminds me of James Corden's response to John Humphrys when he criticised BBC Three, that it was "not a channel for him, it is not a channel that he should even ever watch.") Classical Collection and, it seems, even moreso, the coming Essential Classics are for that same audience as Breakfast.

Okay, so that audience likes it. But don't anyone tell us that we shouldn't be complaining now that the most popular time of day for radio listening is devoted to 'Classic FM programming', and we're pushed out.

[New playlist now up and we have Eric Coates' Knightbridge March and Alec Templeton's Bach Goes to Town added to the original list. The Vivaldi is 15 mins later than advertised, meaning I would have had to listen through Voices of Spring first. So Radio 3 is saying, to misquote: "This is not a programme for you, it is not a programme that you should even ever listen to."]

If I don't look at the playlist so much now as I did, it's because I've given up hope

[salymap]

It's all rather sad I think. The sinking of the heart at the old familiar pieces. There's so much good music out there, shortish pieces that could be played complete.

[Panjandrum]

If I don't look at the playlist so much now as I did, it's because I've given up hope

I tend to review the week's schedules to see whether there is anything of interest, and then download these programmes to listen to at my convenience. Moreover, this affords me the opportunity to FF through the interminable trailers and toe curling "banter" of presenters such as KD, PT and SK et al.

[Suffolkcoastal]

The worrying thing is that these pieces are now to be found with increasing frequency on TTN as well. The only hope (and its a big and probably forlorn hope) is that someone at the BBC finally sees sense and kicks the whole current sorry set up out of the front door.

[Bax-of-Delights]

Yes, I look at it to see if there will be a programme which for me is worth listening to. After all, I used to listen at that time every morning. Without fail. Now it's officially a 'primary entry point for new listeners' which is as good as saying 'Sorry, chum, this isn't meant to be for you'. (It reminds me of James Corden's response to John Humphrys when he criticised BBC Three, that it was "not a channel for him, it is not a channel that he should even ever watch.") Classical Collection and, it seems, even moreso, the coming Essential Classics are for that same audience as Breakfast.

Okay, so that audience likes it. But don't anyone tell us that we shouldn't be complaining now that the most popular time of day for radio listening is devoted to 'Classic FM programming', and we're pushed out.
:

Interestingly I have had a similar kind of response from, well shall we say, the "yoof" element in the extended family here at Bax Villas, on the matter of Facebook. There is an almost fascistic attitude toward the older users - "I don't think old people should be using Facebook", "It's not for you", and other statements of that ilk which tend to get me reaching for my metaphorical shotgun. Now, irrespective of the arguments for and against the cultural and social merits of Facebook -and I have found it immensely entertaining and informative on any number of occasions - there is a similar seam that has risen to the surface at R3 in recent months. It simply says that this programme is not for all those listeners who are either well versed in the repertoire of classical music or the older person who, having been well acquainted with the "popular classics" (however you define them) and is looking for new avenues in musical discovery.
As suffolkcoastal has noted much of this familiar material aired constantly between 7 and 12 (and more regularly on Ao3) and 4.30 to 6.30 is now creeping into TTN. The writing is fairly plainly writ on the wall:
Radio 3 wants the CFM market

[Panjandrum]

The writing is fairly plainly writ on the wall:
Radio 3 wants the CFM market

I definitely think that R3 wants CFM numbers. However, what intrigues me is why the controller et al never consider whether it would not be simpler to try to retain their current audience, rather than throwing the baby out with the bath water, which is the current strategy. Any marketing person worth their salt would tell you that brand differentiation is the key to establshing a recognisable identity. R3 is now basically indistinguishable from CFM. In fact, it and its presenters, are pale imitations.

[french frank]

R3 is now basically indistinguishable from CFM. In fact, it and its presenters, are pale imitations.

I think that overstates the case , though arguably CFM is fulfilling its brief better. However, RadioCentre/Classic FM did complain to the Trust about Radio 3 encroaching on what was plainly seen as 'their territory'. The Trust swept that aside ('no compelling evidence') and declared that Radio 3 was high quality and distinctive.

Now, 'high quality' is nothing to do with it. Friday Night Is Music Night and The Archers are rated 'high quality', so you could say (much of) R3 is 'high quality'. But it doesn't mean R3 should be broadcasting FNIMN (oooh! it just did last Friday!) or The Archers.

Similarly with 'distinctive': all radio stations are 'distinctive' as long as you know them well enough to identify the differences. It doesn't mean that R3 isn't moving towards the light, poorly informed (we're having 'Voi che sepate' tomorrow morning, according to the playlist), undemanding end of classical music.

[mercia]

CFM is fulfilling its brief

which is ........... what?

[french frank]

which is ........... what?

Well, I'd say providing information-light programmes of familar, tuneful, mainly orchestral music on CDs to the widest (largest) possible audience.

[Osborn]

...we're having 'Voi che sepate' tomorrow morning, according to the playlist

Never heard of it, let alone heard it - stick to french Frenchie!

[french frank]

Never heard of it, let alone heard it - stick to french Frenchie!

I did say 'according to the playlist', Ozzie . Fifth item up from the bottom.

[mercia]

voi che sapete
not far wrong

[StephenO]

voi che sapete
not far wrong

Is that the one by Mazort?

[mercia]

I wouldn't have known that was wrong, but I did know that Imogen was not the wife of Gustav Holst. So where does that put me in the intellectual pecking order?

[french frank]

I wouldn't have known that was wrong, but I did know that Imogen was not the wife of Gustav Holst. So where does that put me in the intellectual pecking order?

You do Alphabet associations, so that puts you above the 95th percentile