Post by Teddy Bear on Jan 29, 2013 14:55:38 GMT
Listeners attack BBC over cuts to local radio that have seen regional programmes axed to save money
By Paul Revoir
For the BBC his appointment is merely another cost-saving measure. For local radio listeners Mark Forrest’s voice represents a loss to their communities.
His show is now broadcast from Leeds to the BBC’s 40 stations in England and the Channel Islands as programmes tailor-made to fit a station or region have been axed.
Earlier this month the Rev Gareth Hill wrote to the Radio Times lamenting the arrival of Mr Forrest’s show which started January 7 and is aired between 7pm and 10pm.
His views echoed those of dozens of other readers who have since written in to the weekly magazine to agree with him.
Several Facebook campaigns have been organised around the country with thousands of supporters calling for the return of experienced presenters such as Roger Day who has been ousted from his regular slot which is broadcast across Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire.
In his letter, printed January 19, Mr Hill said: ‘I have nothing against presenter Mark Forrest, who may be a very good broadcaster, but I do object to national broadcasting intruding on radio stations that, since BBC local radio’s inception in 1967, were designed to be local.
‘Losing for example, Roger Day on Radio Solent or taking Duncan Warren from radio Devon and Channel Islands listeners removes people who knew those communities and had built up relationships over the years.’
Mr Forrest is a presenter on Radio York and previously hosted Classic FM’s Breakfast Show.
Critics are furious that his programme, which is a mix of story-telling, phone-ins and current affairs, has no relevance to their area, claiming the corporation’s local radio service has ‘lost all credibility’.
Others objected to the way the broadcaster lavished many millions of pounds on entertainment shows like BBC1’s The Voice, rather than keep a regionally unique service running all day long.
The Radio Times this week reported it had received a ‘storm of support’ for Rev Hill’s views on the changes.
Others have taken to Twitter and radio listener forums to add their voice of disapproval.
One wrote on Twitter: ‘BBC local radio has now lost all credibility with this Mark Forrest late evening show - absolutely appalling!’
Another wrote on the BBC Radio Forum: ‘This show should never have been commissioned on BBC local radio.
‘Local should mean just that NOT this rubbish which is trying to be all things to all people and failing dismally.’
The cuts are expected to save £8million from the £115million local radio budget.
Protest groups and petitions have sprung up across the country.
There’s a Facebook campaign organised by Andrew Boddingtonin Shropshire.
Tamsin Vincent – co-founder of the BBC Radio Forum – has collected more than 3,600 signatures protesting at the cuts, while the Save the Roger Day Show campaign co-founded by Julia Allen, an IT support manager in kent has a further 2,600.
By Paul Revoir
For the BBC his appointment is merely another cost-saving measure. For local radio listeners Mark Forrest’s voice represents a loss to their communities.
His show is now broadcast from Leeds to the BBC’s 40 stations in England and the Channel Islands as programmes tailor-made to fit a station or region have been axed.
Earlier this month the Rev Gareth Hill wrote to the Radio Times lamenting the arrival of Mr Forrest’s show which started January 7 and is aired between 7pm and 10pm.
His views echoed those of dozens of other readers who have since written in to the weekly magazine to agree with him.
Several Facebook campaigns have been organised around the country with thousands of supporters calling for the return of experienced presenters such as Roger Day who has been ousted from his regular slot which is broadcast across Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire.
In his letter, printed January 19, Mr Hill said: ‘I have nothing against presenter Mark Forrest, who may be a very good broadcaster, but I do object to national broadcasting intruding on radio stations that, since BBC local radio’s inception in 1967, were designed to be local.
‘Losing for example, Roger Day on Radio Solent or taking Duncan Warren from radio Devon and Channel Islands listeners removes people who knew those communities and had built up relationships over the years.’
Mr Forrest is a presenter on Radio York and previously hosted Classic FM’s Breakfast Show.
Critics are furious that his programme, which is a mix of story-telling, phone-ins and current affairs, has no relevance to their area, claiming the corporation’s local radio service has ‘lost all credibility’.
Others objected to the way the broadcaster lavished many millions of pounds on entertainment shows like BBC1’s The Voice, rather than keep a regionally unique service running all day long.
The Radio Times this week reported it had received a ‘storm of support’ for Rev Hill’s views on the changes.
Others have taken to Twitter and radio listener forums to add their voice of disapproval.
One wrote on Twitter: ‘BBC local radio has now lost all credibility with this Mark Forrest late evening show - absolutely appalling!’
Another wrote on the BBC Radio Forum: ‘This show should never have been commissioned on BBC local radio.
‘Local should mean just that NOT this rubbish which is trying to be all things to all people and failing dismally.’
The cuts are expected to save £8million from the £115million local radio budget.
Protest groups and petitions have sprung up across the country.
There’s a Facebook campaign organised by Andrew Boddingtonin Shropshire.
Tamsin Vincent – co-founder of the BBC Radio Forum – has collected more than 3,600 signatures protesting at the cuts, while the Save the Roger Day Show campaign co-founded by Julia Allen, an IT support manager in kent has a further 2,600.
It's justice to read this article. I only wish they'd lose the whole lot.
BBC loses race to run local TV network
The BBC will be forced to hand over £25m to the private sector after it lost the race to run the backbone of the 19 new local television stations planned for launch across Britain.