Radio 3 online-only 'chill' service to go ahead without public interest test

[Russ]

https://radiotoday.co.uk/2024/07/ofcom-steps-in-to-delay-the-launch-of-bbc-radio-2s-oldies-spin-off/

Interesting that Ofcom has ordered a PIT in respect of the new Radio 2 'oldies' station (!!!!), but not one for the new Radio 3 service.

I'm not aware of any BBC annoucement(s) as yet.

[french frank]

Why do we need an online version of R3 Chill?

[AuntDaisy]

Why do we need an online version of R3 Chill?

To fulfil part of a prophecy...
Someone once said "The BBC could turn Radio 3 into Radio 3 Chill and there would be millions who would then think it was better than it used to be."

[LMcD]

To fulfil part of a prophecy...
... and there would be millions who would then think it was better than it used to be.[/I]"

I'm not sure about that - I mean, even nostalgia isn't what it used to be.

[Serial_Apologist]

I'm not sure about that - I mean, even nostalgia isn't what it used to be.

[gradus]

Sorry to be dim but what is R3 chill service?

[vinteuil]

Why do we need an online version of R3 Chill?

... why would one need any version of R3 Chill ???

.

[Pulcinella]

... why would one need any version of R3 Chill ???

.

When you can't bear the heat in the kitchen, trying out one of the 'What are you cooking now?' recipes?

[smittims]

Is this going to comprise the 'dumbtime' programmes such as Tearjerker, PIano Flow and other horrors? If so it need not affect many of us .

[Russ]

Previously discussed in:

https://www.for3.org/forums/forum/classical-forum/playlist-programmes/1297947-radio-3-spinoff-station

The initial (February) BBC announcement was:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2024/plans-digital-music-stations-extensions-bbc-radio-1-bbc-radio-2-bbc-radio-3

[french frank]

Sorry to be dim but what is R3 chill service?

So that's your answer;

"A new Radio 3 extension providing a classical music experience that helps listeners unwind, destress and escape the pressures of daily life. It will feature a wide range of classical music both familiar and new, intertwined with voices and soundscapes to create a fresh, distinctive sound that transports listeners to a place of calm.

• The Radio 3 extension will play peaceful favourites to ethereal choral music, and soothing orchestral textures to minimal and neoclassical sounds, including newly-released pieces and performances of classic works as well as new compositions. The station will champion music by living composers including the new generation of artist-composers who receive a limited amount of airplay on other UK stations. Live and specially-recorded music will feature across the week.
• It will reflect mood-based repertoire from the BBC Orchestras and Choirs across the UK, the BBC’s New Generation Artists and BBC Introducing acts. The station will also support the BBC Proms through curated music mixes that feature Proms performances, bringing these unique musical moments to a wider UK audience.
• The schedule will feature popular on-demand titles such as the Mindful Mix, and artist-led shows like Ultimate Calm, as well as new commissions. It will also include simulcast content from Radio 3 such as Night Tracks, and music specifically selected to aid focus.
• The extension will include shows that lean into the mindfulness, wellbeing and sleep space with unique and compelling combinations of speech and music as heard in BBC Sounds titles like The Music & Meditation Podcast, Tearjerker and The Sleeping Forecast (a combination of Radio 4’s Shipping Forecast and classical music from BBC Introducing artists).
• Drawing from a library of around 8,000 tracks, it will combine more music from a broader range of classical and contemporary composers than other UK stations to create a consistent, calming listening experience unlike anything in the market.

If it takes the chill off R3 so much the better. I suspect it will just eat into R3's already meagre budget.

[AuntDaisy]

So that's your answer;
"A new Radio 3 extension providing a classical music experience that helps listeners unwind, destress and escape the pressures of daily life. It will feature a wide range of classical music both familiar and new, intertwined with voices and soundscapes to create a fresh, distinctive sound that transports listeners to a place of calm. ...

Thanks French Frank
Destress distresses me, shurely some mishtake?


This might also part of the brief: (but I could be wrong & apologies if it's already been higlighted. NB Other briefs are available link link link link.)

The Target Audience
The show is targeted at 35-54 audiences who turn to music to manage their mood and are open to new music experiences that broaden their horizons. They are likely to be predominantly classical listeners but with varied tastes that extend to other genres as well as audiences actively seeking out new discoveries, including younger audiences who don’t define music by genre. They will all be open to a mix of melodic, contemporary classical sounds from current and up-and-coming UK composers.
...

Which nicely rules quite a lot of us out

... and what about:

2. Music Policy
The music should centre on contemporary classical music from the UK including BBC Introducing composers - how ‘contemporary classical’ is defined is something we would like you to respond to as part of the creative challenges. There should be an emphasis on melodic, rhythmic and accessible music rather than discordant or challenging pieces, with a flow and continuity of mood that works for on demand listening as well as a weekend early afternoon slot. The show should be full of music discoveries that entice listeners, demonstrating the vibrancy of classical music in the present day and how it is evolving to meet audiences’ moods and need states.
It should be programmed in a way that keeps audiences listening for the full hour and builds habit, and please also consider the appropriate duration of pieces. ...

3. Programme Content
The show will reflect the evolving world of classical music through the lens of current and new British music. It should take listeners on an escapist musical journey that is engrossing and exciting with new discoveries that surprise and delight. It should have a ratio of 80% music to 20% speech in line with our Sounds Only Radio Programme guidelines (detailed in Section 5 Key Deliverables), with short, simple presentation and occasional moments or features that amplify the music, build a listener community and drive a regular listening habit. ...

4. Presenters
We are looking for a presenter who is engaging and inviting and will appeal to our target audience. They should have broadcast or presenting experience and ideally a level of profile that will drive interest in the programme and stream from audiences outside of just the classical world. ...

6. Social and Digital
We are looking to create impact and build brand awareness on social platforms in order to bring new audiences to the Radio 3 extension. This includes looking to film major moments (where appropriate) and create visually compelling and editorially engaging content for social platforms. ...

8. Diversity and Inclusion
Diversity & Inclusion is a priority for ALL of us. We want BBC Radio & Music to be demonstrably the best organisation in the audio sector to work for and with; one which reflects the diversity of the UK; and where people feel welcomed, appreciated, respected, and can be themselves and produce their best work. ...

9. Sustainability
The BBC is committed to informing and inspiring listeners about how they, as individuals, can take steps towards more sustainable living.
Your proposal should consider how the editorial and production methods contribute towards the BBC’s Net Zero strategy ...

.. and so it goes on... etc. etc. etc. etc. ad nauseam

[oddoneout]

It would be nice to think that if all that cac is going to the online outlet it would reduce what is increasingly churned out on "R3 proper", to the detriment of the music it should be broadcasting.

Which reminds me, the latest irritating ad is KD and her warbling of "home of live classical music". So not just "the home of classical music", but live - only thanks to the Proms though. Once they have finished it'll be business as usual in the evenings, where live means it was once live but no longer, except once in a blue moon, and Classical, let alone anything earlier, has apparently been deemed unacceptable.

[french frank]

... and what about:

.. and so it goes on... etc. etc. etc. etc. ad nauseam

... and so it goes on, but could be described in two words: Easy Listening.

[AuntDaisy]

The Classical Calm brief has some interesting parts...

Classical Calm (w/t) – 57 x 180’ episodes
A three-hour mid-morning show featuring relaxing and supportive classical music to keep listeners calm, help them focus and set them up for the day ahead. Presented by engaging talent with profile it will be a flagship strand and drive a high volume of listeners.

The Target Audience
The show is targeted primarily at listeners aged 35-54 but should also appeal to older audiences, all of whom turn to music to keep calm, aid with focus and support their daily routines. Although some may be regular Radio 3 listeners, we expect the majority of the audience are not currently listening to classical music from the BBC in a significant way. Their existing experience of classical music (if any) may well come from playlists on streaming platforms, they may also listen to calming podcasts on music, health and wellbeing, and they will likely use this new station to enjoy a relaxing musical alternative to the daily news cycle and to ease them into the day.

2. Music Policy
A consistently calm and welcoming sound world with emphasis on flow and continuity of mood that feels appropriate for a 9am-12pm slot. It should feature relaxing, melodic music from the 1500s through to the 21st century but be focused primarily around classical music from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic and early 20th century periods. This includes a varied mix of orchestral, instrumental and choral textures featuring popular works from well-known composers that will entice audiences in, alongside a wide range of less familiar names and pieces that will surprise and delight listeners.
It should be programmed in a way that keeps audiences listening for longer and builds habit, and please consider the appropriate duration of pieces and where you would place them in relation to key junctions and potential switch over moments from other stations.
Distinctiveness
In order to demonstrate the distinctiveness of the music policy the playlists of each episode should include the following:
-British music: British music from the 1500s through to the present day should feature prominently with a minimum of 25% of tracks by British composers.
-Current and new music: Music by living composers, particularly new and emerging British composers.
-Under-represented and under-appreciated composers: Considering gender, ethnicity and disability as well as less known composers.
-Recent recordings: A focus on recordings from the last 10 years including recordings released in the last 18 months. Our ambition here is to support current and new artists and ensembles and in particular British performers.
-Specially recorded music: Music recorded by our BBC Orchestras and Choirs and New Generation Artists for Radio 3 and the BBC Proms, made available by the Commissioning team.

4. Presenters
We are looking for a presenter who is warm and welcoming, fits the tone of this mid-morning show and will appeal to its target audience. They should have broadcast or presenting experience and a level of profile that will drive interest in the programme and stream from a broad audience including new and lighter classical listeners.
They should have an active interest in and understanding of classical music that allows them to talk confidently, authentically and in an accessible way about it with a voice that is appropriate for the calming proposition of the stream. ...