Tearjerker, Downtown Symphony, Piano Flow, Happy Harmonies and other Saturday padding

**french frank** · 16-01-21, 17:08

When that media briefing says, "Jorja Smith and Celeste dive into the comforts of music - from orchestral music and piano to pop - in new series for BBC Radio 3 and BBC Sounds", what do they mean by BBC Sounds? Is this different from a radio programme being available after broadcast in BBC Sounds - which all programmes are?

**french frank** · 16-01-21, 17:09

Originally posted by cloughie View Post

Quarky, Do you know which of these is responsible for Local radio and its diaobolical music policy?

If you want a name https://www.bbc.com/aboutthebbc/whoweare/chris-burns\

And good luck if you think of putting in an FOI request:

Potential for Abuse of Local Radio Music Policy - a Freedom of Information request to British Broadcasting Corporation

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/potential_for_abuse_of_local_rad

As a regular listener to BBC Local Radio I became aware that there were a small number of current music tracks that get played very frequently. On further investigation via my local BBC manager, the Regional Audience Council and the whatdotheyknow.com web site it has become apparent that this is a specific item in the BBC English Regions Local Radio Music Policy. In the response to RFI20090367 - Freedom of Information request, you stated that:- "BBC Local Radio music policy consists of three elements. • The core – the recurring repertoire of popular hits from the last 40 or 50 years. • The playlist – a small number of carefully selected current releases. • Specialist music. This includes well known genres like jazz and folk and BBC Introducing – the partnership with BBC Radio 1 in which unsigned local talent from the genres of pop and rock are showcased." and went on to elaborate on the "playlist":- "The playlist songs are not tested. It’s not practical to do so within our budgets. So the selections are made by a panel of experienced staff from BBC Local Radio stations from around the country who gather on a weekly phone hook-up." I note that your reply did not actually provide the details requested in the original FOI request! What you also didn't say in the reply was that this policy results in this small number of current releases(10!) being played upto 3 times per DAY everday for several weeks on ALL BBC Local Radio Stations. The frequency with which this list is played represents a significant amount of air time nationally, this can be considered as "plugging"! That, on its own, contravenes the BBC main Policy, BUT also this part of the policy must be considered as a serious potential target for abuse & even financial gain. With the BBCs ongoing budgetry constraints I doubt if the undemocratic playlist selection process is being adequately policed! A policy like this should be properly documented with Targets & defined monitoring & measuring processes, to check that it is working as intended and not alienating the "Target Audience", does any of this exist? So far I've seen nothing that gives any reassurance that it does! Can the BBC provide details of any monitoring that is done to ensure that this policy is not distorting the current music charts for record sales, including Web downloads? Can the BBC provide details of the steps taken to ensure that all those involved in the selection of the playlist do not abuse this policy for personal or financial gain? Yours faithfully, Bill Constable

**Nick Armstrong** · 16-01-21, 17:19

Originally posted by kernelbogey View Post

I blundered into this, having had TTN on.... It was truly awful, IMVVHO.

Had a quick listen on ‘Sounds’... I VVH agree with your VVHO. Words fail me (well, almost).

“An hour of healing” says the blurb. You’re not allowed to bandy words like that around for tea or low-fat spreads, say the advertising standards authorities: it certainly shouldn’t be allowed for this programming nightmare.

If I came across this in the early hours feeling other than utmost mental fortitude (not to mention intestinal fortitude), this would tip me right over the edge

Originally posted by Roslynmuse View Post

therapeutic.... gritted teeth.... rapidly rising blood pressure.

Exactly. “Healing”...

**Leinster Lass** · 16-01-21, 17:21

Originally posted by Roslynmuse View Post

Now, that's what I call a therapeutic safe space.

Out of curiosity I listened to the opening of this morning's programme on Sounds. I lasted the verbal introduction (through gritted teeth and with rapidly rising blood pressure) and couldn't turn the ensuing musak off quickly enough.

I wonder what William Glock would have made of it?

I think a little late Fauré is just what I need right now to regain my equilibrium.

Where will your little foray take you, I wonder?

**Ein Heldenleben** · 16-01-21, 17:30

Originally posted by french frank View Post

One of the downsides of getting rid of Google Analytics is that we can no longer see how many BBC computers access the forum to check up on what we're saying.

What would have been an average would you say ?

**Ein Heldenleben** · 16-01-21, 17:33

Originally posted by cloughie View Post

Quarky, Do you know which of these is responsible for Local radio and its diaobolical music policy?

Try Chris Burns - local radio (or used to ) has a computer generated playlist that is the product of focus group listening.
In terms of ‘diabolical’ in fact heavy metal and groups like the Stones don’t rate well ....

**Quarky** · 16-01-21, 17:33

Originally posted by french frank View Post

When that media briefing says, "Jorja Smith and Celeste dive into the comforts of music - from orchestral music and piano to pop - in new series for BBC Radio 3 and BBC Sounds", what do they mean by BBC Sounds? Is this different from a radio programme being available after broadcast in BBC Sounds - which all programmes are?

As far as I can see, BBC sounds is just responsible for putting BBC programmes online, and no more than that:: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/help/qu...d-our-policies

But who knows how it may develop.....

**kernelbogey** · 16-01-21, 17:35

Originally posted by french frank View Post

....in new series for BBC Radio 3 and BBC Sounds", what do they mean by BBC Sounds? Is this different from a radio programme being available after broadcast in BBC Sounds - which all programmes are?

This seems to be the new buzz-phrase on the Beeb - promting Sounds as though it's a separate thing. Which, if you don't listen regularly to live radio, I suppose it is. But I'm hearing that phraseology on all the trails, now.

**Leinster Lass** · 16-01-21, 17:37

Originally posted by kernelbogey View Post

This seems to be the new buzz-phrase on the Beeb - promting Sounds as though it's a separate thing. Which, if you don't listen regularly to live radio, I suppose it is. But I'm hearing that phraseology on all the trails, now.

Just to add to the confusion, I heard an on-air announcement referring to 'BBC Audio' the other day.

**jayne lee wilson** · 16-01-21, 17:39

BBC Sounds is just the umbrella/promotional/technical term for this.......

BBC Sounds - Music. Radio. Podcasts

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds

Listen without limits, with BBC Sounds. Catch the latest music tracks, discover binge-worthy podcasts, or listen to radio shows - all whenever you want.

....all radio services, whether live, podded, highlighted or anything else....

**french frank** · 16-01-21, 17:41

Originally posted by Leinster Lass View Post

Just to add to the confusion, I heard an on-air announcement referring to 'BBC Audio' the other day.

Don't know what it meant there, though technically it could include live radio, on demand programmes, podcasts.

**cloughie** · 16-01-21, 17:41

Thank you ff and quarky for the information.

**french frank** · 16-01-21, 17:43

Originally posted by jayne lee wilson View Post

BBC Sounds is just the umbrella/promotional/technical term for this.......

BBC Sounds - Music. Radio. Podcasts

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds

Listen without limits, with BBC Sounds. Catch the latest music tracks, discover binge-worthy podcasts, or listen to radio shows - all whenever you want.

....all radio services, whether live, podded, highlighted or anything else....

Doesn't that make it a tautology to say 'for BBC Radio 3 and BBC Sounds'?

**jayne lee wilson** · 16-01-21, 17:47

Originally posted by french frank View Post

Doesn't that make it a tautology to say 'for BBC Radio 3 and BBC Sounds'?

Not at all, very obviously....they are not coterminous... see my link.....

BBC Audio is more specifically about the Engineering side, though it will of course highlight some programmes too...

Welcome to BBC Audio

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcaudio

Podcasts – music – radio – live events – sound design

About BBC Audio

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcaudio/about

BBC Audio have over 650 staff in bases in Birmingham, Bristol, London and Salford.

This is the department you used to get, long ago, in a Galaxy far away, when you phoned up about FM compression, aerials, and concert relay SQ etc....and often very helpful and informative they were...
I found out a lot about DAB's shortcomings that way, until the starkly revealing honesty coming down the line seemed to get too much for the powers above....

When I got my first FM Tuner, a pretty decent Pioneer F-656 (note for audiophiles: no, I couldn't afford the legendary F-91 but never stopped regretting that), I wasn't doing too well with it (noise, birdies, hiss etc) and the Engineer had me following his instructions.... "push this button.... OK now try this....right, what's happening now....?"

Some of the best early advice I got..... net result a few days later: a much bigger FM Aerial.... very effective it was.

**cloughie** · 16-01-21, 18:01

Originally posted by Heldenleben View Post

Try Chris Burns - local radio (or used to ) has a computer generated playlist that is the product of focus group listening.
In terms of ‘diabolical’ in fact heavy metal and groups like the Stones don’t rate well ....

I would guess that focus group includes nobody over 50!

Tearjerker, Downtown Symphony, Piano Flow, Happy Harmonies and other Saturday padding

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