I would pay good money for a decent classical music programme during the mornings....

[JFLL]

And because Radio 3 appeals to an older audience and more retired and self-employed people, the morning extends to midday, so it also makes sense to consolidate by having 'accessible' programming over that entire morning period.

On the other hand, the older, retired audience is often more discriminating (hence all the cries of anguish on these boards). So why couldn't this audience be catered for after, say, 10.00, when most younger listeners who want 'accessibility' (i.e. flim-flam, it seems) have presumably gone off to work?

[french frank]

On the other hand, the older, retired audience is often more discriminating (hence all the cries of anguish on these boards). So why couldn't this audience be catered for after, say, 10.00, when most younger listeners who want 'accessibility' (i.e. flim-flam, it seems) have presumably gone off to work?

I can only speculate on the reasoning by drawing inferences from bits of information which the BBC lets slip .

The research they did in 2004 at the time that Charter renewal was being negotiated showed that 'classical music' was highly rated and appreciated by ALL radio listeners - 32% said they personally liked to listen to 'live classical music' on the radio (it was 35% for rock, and 41% for Current Chart Hits). [Attitudes to BBC and Commercial Radio, September 2004: Source: Quest/Ipsos/RSL Week 22 2004]

32% of ALL radio listeners is a lot of people, even if you take it as being from age 15+. Even back in 2004, that figure would have represented 15 million.

But: classical doesn't figure at all in the Radio 2 chart of the preferences of the 35-54 year-olds, where the lowest ranked on the table was 28% (music from the shows); whereas among the over 55s, it ranks equal first, with 59% citing it.

First point, then, is that the bulk of that 15 million listeners are going to be in the older/retired age group.

Second point is that 'live classical music' in this context will focus on programmes like Friday Night Is Music Night rather than a standard Radio 3 concert.

Therefore, one might posit a strategy of pensioning off Wogan and bringing in Chris Evans on Radio 2 for the younger listeners, and repositioning Radio 3 to welcome the TOGs who desert Radio 2. And they're almost as likely to be at home during the rest of the morning as Radio 3 listeners, or at least able to listen to the radio then. That's a quite separate move from wanting to stop Radio 4 listeners moving over to Classic FM at 9am when the Today programme finishes (commissioning brief for Essential Classics).

In all this plotting and planning to entice the millions in, I'm afraid it doesn't leave the more serious type of classical music listener as a very high priority in the mornings.

But - will it work?

All supposition, though

[JanH]

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone. With technical help from MrH! I can now listen to Through the Night and have the Italian station in reserve... Much improved listening.

JanH

[mw963]

I see the earlier link goes to my post about German Classical Radio!

If you look here

http://www.lyngsat-stream.com/radiocountry/Germany.html

you appear to be able to get to the live internet feeds fairly easily, I haven't tried all of them but Bayern Klassik works (some Suk) as does HR2.

Here's my original list of the German stations

NDR Kultur
WDR 3
Bayern Klassik
SWR 2
MDR Kultur (although that's virtually stopped playing classical music)
SR Kultur (SR 2)
HR 2 (Hesse Radio)
Kulturradio

and I think they're all linked from that page except RBB Kulturradio (the last on my list) which is here

http://www.kulturradio.de/hilfe/livestreamhelp.html

[Nick Armstrong]

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone. With technical help from MrH! I can now listen to Through the Night and have the Italian station in reserve... Much improved listening.

JanH

Jan

Do you use iTunes?

I've started using the 'Radio' facility a lot - an amazing resource: down the sidebar on the left hand side is "Radio" - click on that and a gallimaufry of stations of all genres is made available to you. Click to open the 'Classical' menu and you have an instant choice of (currently) 190 classical music stations around the world. I just chose one at random - Classical Minnesota Public Radio, sounding awesome at 128kbps, a terrific recording of a live Sibelius 6 from the Minnesota Orchestra under Vanska

As astounding free resource, when one thinks about it, almost unbelievable.

[teamsaint]

Jan

Do you use iTunes?

I've started using the 'Radio' facility a lot - an amazing resource: down the sidebar on the left hand side is "Radio" - click on that and a gallimaufry of stations of all genres is made available to you. Click to open the 'Classical' menu and you have an instant choice of (currently) 190 classical music stations around the world. I just chose one at random - Classical Minnesota Public Radio, sounding awesome at 128kbps, a terrific recording of a live Sibelius 6 from the Minnesota Orchestra under Vanska

As astounding free resource, when one thinks about it, almost unbelievable.

wow...never knew that was there. Hours of fun. Good knowledge, Caliban !
I think a man could eventually tire of "Radio Boccherini", though !

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

... sounding awesome at 128kbps

I didn't think that was possible.

[Nick Armstrong]

I didn't think that was possible.

Well - all things considered, EA. Scaling down one's expectations, the MacBook Pro speakers were delivering most pleasurably, to my ears

[Nick Armstrong]

wow...never knew that was there. Hours of fun. Good knowledge, Caliban !
I think a man could eventually tire of "Radio Boccherini", though !

Happy to be of service, ts. KUSC (Southern California) is a favourite of mine from trips over there

[EdgeleyRob]

Many thanks for taking the time and trouble to post that info Caliban.
Everything Vivaldi, er no .
Currently listening to Schumann op 110 / Classical Piano Trios - SKY.FM.
Can't find the British music channel though.

[Nick Armstrong]

Everything Vivaldi, er no .

Same here but each to his own, ER There are some duds in there, for sure.

[AmpH]

Jan

Do you use iTunes?

I've started using the 'Radio' facility a lot - an amazing resource: down the sidebar on the left hand side is "Radio" - click on that and a gallimaufry of stations of all genres is made available to you. Click to open the 'Classical' menu and you have an instant choice of (currently) 190 classical music stations around the world. I just chose one at random - Classical Minnesota Public Radio, sounding awesome at 128kbps, a terrific recording of a live Sibelius 6 from the Minnesota Orchestra under Vanska

As astounding free resource, when one thinks about it, almost unbelievable.

JLW will be pleased with you Caliban ...... she's been mooching on about getting the radio via iToons for ages Personally I won't i anything so I'll get my pleasures elsewhere. Enjoy the music.

[EdgeleyRob]

William Hurlstone piano trio / Classical Piano Trios - SKY.FM.
When was this last played on Radio 3 ?.
Caliban you're a genius!

[Nick Armstrong]

Caliban you're a genius!

Oh ... ahem....

[Nick Armstrong]

SKY.FM.

Although ironically, I can't find that one Where are you looking?