Skelly replaces Cowan

[french frank]

I'd love to see a percentage age group breakdown of the R3 listenership.

15-24 7.8%
25-34 6.2%
35-44 7.3%
45-54 11.2%
55-64 21.1%
65+ 46.4%

[Stanfordian]

I have got a library ticket FF, which I use with some zeal ... but I'm still a sucker for the printed page, the feel of it, the smell of it and the sheer presence of printing ink on paper. Nothing like it. I've often protested about the fate of libraries - esp. with guests on R3 - I think their treatment (the libraries, that is) by the government is nothing short of despicable. As to reading names/answers right or wrong, would you be terribly offended if I passed on that one? It's all in my rear-view mirror now, even though I view much of the fading scenery with some affection. What's in front of me seems to offer plenty of potential and I want to jump at the opportunity of realising it. Your question is best addressed to Suzy and (as of Christmas Day) Ian and the production team. Best, as ever.

Hiya Rob,

A few years ago in my local library the volumes of the New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians suddenly disappeared from the reference section, then the whole reference section disappeared. Sold off I understand.

[teamsaint]

My point would be that there would be very few who would a) be studying GCSE music and b) choosing to listen to Radio 3. Could one cater specifically for such an audience? If so, in what part of the schedule and for how many hours a day?

That's a fair point re the numbers, but nobody is really suggesting that R3 should be catering specifically for a young audience, other than in very limited and targeted ways, EG Ten Pieces.
However, there isn't any good reason that I can see that parts of the schedule couldn't be programmed, and content provided in such a way as to potentially attract younger audiences, as well as catering to the needs of the core audience.

[Stanfordian]

15-24 7.8%
25-34 6.2%
35-44 7.3%
45-54 11.2%
55-64 21.1%
65+ 46.4%

Hiya french frank,

Many thanks indeed for that. It's not at all what I expected. Although it's not too high there are far more people under 25 listening to R3 than I imagined.

[LMcD]

Does anybody out there remember 'The Young Idea' - a request programme for (obviously) younger listeners, hosted by Christopher Hogwood?. I was surprised to discover that it ran for 12 years.

[french frank]

However, there isn't any good reason that I can see that parts of the schedule couldn't be programmed, and content provided in such a way as to potentially attract younger audiences, as well as catering to the needs of the core audience.

Presumably for the reason that Radio 4 gave up programming for younger audiences, like Radio 3.

One point is that the BBC provides so much more dedicated programming for children. CBBC and CBeebies alone cost £138m last year (compared with £53m for R3).

[cloughie]

Hiya french frank,

Many thanks indeed for that. It's not at all what I expected. Although it's not too high there are far more people under 25 listening to R3 than I imagined.

So although us golden oldies are the top listeners, percentage-wise they are not giving us the service we want!
...and they takevno notice when we point it out to them!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Does anybody out there remember 'The Young Idea' - a request programme for (obviously) younger listeners, hosted by Christopher Hogwood?. I was surprised to discover that it ran for 12 years.

I remember the very first programme. It began with popular pieces, like 1812 and Concierto de Aranjuez, but gradually became something of a talking shop for CH, and became increasingly high-brow. I felt at that time, that he went too far in that direction, but if someone were to do the same now, I'd be the last person to complain.

[Stanfordian]

So although us golden oldies are the top listeners, percentage-wise they are not giving us the service we want!
...and they takevno notice when we point it out to them!

Oh, I quite agree. Some of what I hear on R3, although, I rarely listen these days, it's been dumbed-down so much from its heyday. Those, bleeding chunks, often poorly prepared presenters, listener requests and names read out, the near-obsession with celebrity guests, inane competitions and annoying tweets all combine to drive me mad.

[DracoM]

CF FF's stats up thread:

I keep asking myself if so many people on here are so bitter and disappointed, then who on earth is the BBC asking about audience input to help planning? Because it sure as heck ain't many people who come on here.

I can't remember ever reading autumn / winter season postings on these boards in which so many seem to be suggesting that in fact they simply do not listen any more or listen far, far less than heretofore. If that is the case more generally, and many above are suggesting that the younger end are not listening either, then FGS who is advising the BBC on their audience's opinions? Or maybe they just don't give a monkey's?

I hope Rob Cowan is looking at some of the responses on these threads and, after secretly chortling at the BBC's probs, actually relaying core opinions to his erstwhile bosses? Maybe he and others HAVE tried to bend minds and failed, hence the ship-jumping?

So is it not just the young changing their listening patterns, but with iPlayer, CDs, utube, etc etc, ALL generations are, and the poor Beeb like a massive oil tanker is still struggling to decide what on earth to do about it and how to turn round?

[BBMmk2]

I have got a library ticket FF, which I use with some zeal ... but I'm still a sucker for the printed page, the feel of it, the smell of it and the sheer presence of printing ink on paper. Nothing like it. I've often protested about the fate of libraries - esp. with guests on R3 - I think their treatment (the libraries, that is) by the government is nothing short of despicable. As to reading names/answers right or wrong, would you be terribly offended if I passed on that one? It's all in my rear-view mirror now, even though I view much of the fading scenery with some affection. What's in front of me seems to offer plenty of potential and I want to jump at the opportunity of realising it. Your question is best addressed to Suzy and (as of Christmas Day) Ian and the production team. Best, as ever.

Will there be any listener requests slots, Rob?

[Rob Cowan]

Will there be any listener requests slots, Rob?

I’ll be taking heed of reaction but as I understand it Beyond the Hall of Fame will be my choice of a follow-on piece rather than an invitation to listeners ... though that doesn’t mean I won’t welcome suggestions (which is not the same as requests). I already have the first three planned.

[BBMmk2]

I’ll be taking heed of reaction but as I understand it Beyond the Hall of Fame will be my choice of a follow-on piece rather than an invitation to listeners ... though that doesn’t mean I won’t welcome suggestions (which is not the same as requests). I already have the first three planned.

All the best for your programme Rob!

[Stanfordian]

Will there be any listener requests slots, Rob?

Hiya Maestro,

Listener requests! Why has Tony Blackburn become a CFM presenter?

[Ein Heldenleben]

I like Rob's idiosyncratic presentational style and am sad to see him leave R3 and wish him luck . If Classic FM could just back off on the compression ,perhaps by spending a bit of money on a few extra transmitters , I would follow him as a listener ....