We are not alone.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I've just read the following on BBC TV teletext:-

'The BBC has bowed to pressure and changed the controversial format of its Wimbledon highlights programme after mounting criticism.

'Wimbledon 2Day, hosted by Clare Balding, saw presenters mingle with a live audience and included funny home-video clips alongside daily highlights.

'In its review, the Guardian said: "The whole show is a mess".

'A BBC spokeswoman said: "Of course we listen to audience feedback and that helps to shape the changes we make."'

[french frank]

'A BBC spokeswoman said: "Of course we listen to audience feedback and that helps to shape the changes we make."'[/I]

Of course they do. For Wimbledon, anyway.

[Nick Armstrong]

At least they got rid of that smarmy buffoon Inverdale.

Mind you, can't stand La Balding either!

[Stanfordian]

At least they got rid of that smarmy buffoon Inverdale.

Mind you, can't stand La Balding either!

Hiya Caliban,

The 'celebrity culture' that pervades the BBC is increasing. The fashion guru Mary Portas is now getting a go as a DJ on BBC Radio 2. Why not put her on Radio 3 for the Breakfast slot or maybe Essential Classics.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

The 'celebrity culture' that pervades the BBC is increasing. The fashion guru Mary Portas is now getting a go as a DJ on BBC Radio 2. Why not put her on Radio 3 for the Breakfast slot or maybe Essential Classics.

It's very sad and suggests the BBC are losing the plot.

[StephenO]

It's very sad and suggests the BBC are losing the plot.

And with it, unfortunately, a substantial part of the R3 audience who are voting with our ears as far as the station's morning output is concerned. If the object of all this dumbing down is to increase audience numbers then it seems to have been something of a failure.

[Dave2002]

And with it, unfortunately, a substantial part of the R3 audience who are voting with our ears as far as the station's morning output is concerned. If the object of all this dumbing down is to increase audience numbers then it seems to have been something of a failure.

I've no idea whether you are right or not, but on what do you base your assertion?

[Crowcatcher]

It's very sad and suggests the BBC are losing the plot.

I'm a retired BBC employee and I can assure you it 'lost the Plot' long ago.

My department was sold-off twenty years ago so that the money could be spent on better programming - all I've noticed that it has become much worse. (Potted history of BBC management in a former post)

[BBMmk2]

Personally I can't see any improvement in BBC programming and the way they have programmed The Proms, is a case in point.

[StephenO]

I've no idea whether you are right or not, but on what do you base your assertion?

Radio 3's listening figures fell by 5.6% last year and the station is now behind Radio 6 Music as far as number of listeners is concerned. Personally I think the quest for increased numbers of listeners is a pointless and counter-productive one, particularly when it's pursued through the dumbing down of R3's programming. This is most evident in the morning schedule which, if the vast majority of comments on here is anything to go by, many people regard as a total turn off.

[french frank]

Radio 3's listening figures fell by 5.6% last year and the station is now behind Radio 6 Music as far as number of listeners is concerned. Personally I think the quest for increased numbers of listeners is a pointless and counter-productive one, particularly when it's pursued through the dumbing down of R3's programming. This is most evident in the morning schedule which, if the vast majority of comments on here is anything to go by, many people regard as a total turn off.

I meant to reply to dave2002's question too. Since you mention the morning programmes - we do have the quarterly listening figures for the Breakfast programme. The annualised figures for average weekly reach were:

(in thousands)
2011/12: 635.5
2012/13: 674.5
2013/14: 590.8
2014/15: 572.8

So, do figures matter or don't they? Presumably they do matter if the aim of Breakfast has been to attract new listeners. The more complex picture seems to be of some success in attracting new listeners but others deserting the station entirely. The possibility is that the 'new audience' will tune in for the basics: Breakfast, Essential Classics and perhaps In Tune, but those who switch off entirely will depress the figures for CotW and the concerts. This can only be a guess because we're not allowed to see the detailed listening figures. But, logically, new listeners without a corresponding rise in overall reach must mean many are switching off completely.