Controller, BBC Radio 3

[mercia]

"not dumbing down" but "wising up".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-29722952

[Nick Armstrong]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-29722952

Thanks, Bryn and mercia.

What does this mean, I wonder - in terms of presentation of music to listeners "If you do complex culture properly, it makes sense to people"

Fewer inane tweets &c. re: what do you like to listen to on the toilet? and similar... one would hope.

[vinteuil]

Fewer inane tweets &c. re: what do you like to listen to on the toilet? and similar... one would hope.

... yes. Let's hope it's more "what do you like to listen to when sitting on the lavatory?" That would be a distinct improvement...

[Honoured Guest]

What does this mean, I wonder - in terms of presentation of music to listeners "If you do complex culture properly, it makes sense to people"

Helicopters.

[Bryn]

Helicopters.

That's your spin, is it?

[french frank]

What does this mean, I wonder - in terms of presentation of music to listeners "If you do complex culture properly, it makes sense to people"

He praised the Third Programme for what it did, but said it didn't 'offer context' - an approach to complex culture. The presenter suggested this could mean 'more `classic FM', which seemed daft to me. As if she'd vaguely heard accusations of R3 getting more like Classic FM so shoved it into a question. In what way has Classic FM ever offered 'complex culture' or suggested ways to approach it? Surely he meant more 'Talking About Music', now taking in (since he mentioned the Stockhausen) contemporary music.

He brushed aside the listening figures question - quite reasonably. With digital radio becoming now so widely avalable, the main gain for 6 Music listeners would be being able to listen in the car. In the end, it's just a popular music station gradually overhauling an arts/classical music station as digital becomes more widely available. I would think many/most R3 listeners valued FM for the audio quality rather more than for in-car entertainment.

[Bryn]

Have you actually examined the 6Music schedule, and listened to many of its programmes, Frenchie? Hardly just another popular music station.

[french frank]

Have you actually examined the 6Music schedule, and listened to many of its programmes, Frenchie? Hardly just another popular music station.

The thing that struck me (because I have been studying the schedules in order to reply to Mr Tom Watson MP) is how often I kept finding songs/performers I'd known from my youth. Like the Kinks singing Waterloo Sunset. and the Isley Brothers. And the Small Faces. And Blackbird might not have been a hit for the Beatles but if you had the album (which I didn't, but a friend did), you knew Blackbird, and Dear Prudence and Martha, My Dear. I'd got the impression that it was supposed to be something really out of the ordinary from past decades.

[teamsaint]

Have you actually examined the 6Music schedule, and listened to many of its programmes, Frenchie? Hardly just another popular music station.

daytime programming is pretty tedious "presenter led" stuff IMO.

No doubt the content is better when fewer people listen !!

[french frank]

6 Music remit:

"The remit of BBC 6 Music is to entertain lovers of popular music with a service that celebrates the alternative spirit in popular music from the 1960s to the present day."

Whether it's a different sort of popular music from the popular music on Radio 1, or Radio 2, or Radio 1Xtra, or the Asian Network is irrelevant. The description 'popular music' suggests that it will have a bigger potential audience than a classical music/arts station. The growth in digital radio availability made it a matter of time (my view) before it got more listeners than Radio 3. That's the point I made.

[AuntDaisy]

Sam Jackson - who?

Just seen "Sam Jackson announced as new Controller of BBC Radio 3"

https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2023/sam-jackson-new-bbc-radio3-controller

For over 15 years, Sam worked in the commercial radio sector, latterly running three national radio brands: Classic FM, Smooth and Gold. Named by The Hospital Club as ‘one of the 100 most influential and innovative people working across arts, culture and the creative industries’, during his time at Classic FM he was responsible for the station’s entire on-air output, music policy and the popular Classic FM Live concerts.

With congratulations from Alan Davey on Twitter.

Alan Davey @armslengthal
Replying to @classicjacko

@bbcpress and 3 others
Congratulations & best wishes @classicjacko
. I am so happy that you will take on the precious thing that is @BBCRadio3 and @bbcproms
- what is on a bad day the best job in Britain, on a good day the best job in the World. Welcome and hurrah!

[Bryn]

Not Sam L Jackson.

(https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/20...gBBdUr9lw60IMw)

[AuntDaisy]

Apologies if this has already been flagged...

More on https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2023...io3-controller

Sam Jackson announced as new Controller of BBC Radio 3

As Controller, Sam will set the strategic vision for Radio 3 and the Proms to ensure that the needs and expectations of its audience are met, making sure the network and the BBC Proms remain at the forefront of cultural life in the UK and across the world
Published: 10:00 am, 13 January 2023

"BBC Radio 3 is unlike any other station: a network delivering ambitious, unique content, with live classical music at its core. This ambition, quality and diversity must stay at the heart of everything Radio 3 and the BBC Proms deliver. I'm thrilled to be tasked with driving both Radio 3 and the Proms forward, with the help of brilliant people across the BBC and the wider music sector."
— Sam Jackson

Sam Jackson has today been announced as BBC Radio 3’s new Controller. Sam will drive creative and managerial responsibility for the running of Radio 3 and the delivery of the annual BBC Proms, the world’s biggest classical music festival.

Having started his career as a runner for the BBC Proms, Sam is now one of the industry’s most respected leaders. He has worked across broadcasting and the recorded music industry, and has collaborated with many of the world’s greatest classical and jazz musicians for nearly twenty years. He brings a wealth of experience in senior leadership roles, most recently as Executive Vice-President of Global Classics & Jazz for Universal Music Group, managing teams both in London and Berlin.

As Controller, Sam will set the strategic vision for Radio 3 and the Proms to ensure that the needs and expectations of its audience are met, making sure the network and the BBC Proms remain at the forefront of cultural life in the UK and across the world.

Sam Jackson, Radio 3’s incoming Controller, says: “BBC Radio 3 is unlike any other station: a network delivering ambitious, unique content, with live classical music at its core. This ambition, quality and diversity must stay at the heart of everything Radio 3 and the BBC Proms deliver. I'm thrilled to be tasked with driving both Radio 3 and the Proms forward, with the help of brilliant people across the BBC and the wider music sector."

Lorna Clarke, BBC Director of Music, says: “I’m delighted that Sam will be joining us as Controller of Radio 3, leading the strategy for classical music across the BBC. Sam’s track record in broadcasting, love of classical music and inspirational leadership will be crucial to the BBC’s ongoing commitment to bring great music to everyone.”

For over 15 years, Sam worked in the commercial radio sector, latterly running three national radio brands: Classic FM, Smooth and Gold. Named by The Hospital Club as ‘one of the 100 most influential and innovative people working across arts, culture and the creative industries’, during his time at Classic FM he was responsible for the station’s entire on-air output, music policy and the popular Classic FM Live concerts.

Music education has been important to Sam throughout his career. He was a member of The Music Commission – a year-long inquiry into supporting and sustaining musical progression for all – and is a Board Member of Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance. In addition he is a trustee of the charities Help Musicians and the Young Classical Artists Trust. He has also written and co-written a number of best-selling books on classical music.

Sam Jackson begins his role as Controller in April and will report into Lorna Clarke, Director of Music for the BBC.

He will work alongside David Pickard, Director of BBC Proms, and Simon Webb, who was recently announced as the BBC’s first Head of Orchestras and Choirs.

After eight years, Alan Davey will leave his role as BBC Radio 3 Controller in March.

[french frank]

Managing Editor of Classic FM?

[Old Grumpy]

Not Sam L Jackson.

(https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/20...gBBdUr9lw60IMw)