Capital Summertime Ball 2024

[Jono]

[Mark Thompson] will also pledge to close BBC Switch and Blast!, leaving the lucrative teenage market to ITV and Channel 4. But BBC Three, which is aimed at 16 to 35-year-olds will not be touched.

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/media/article7041944.ece

Is BBC Switch and Blast worth its money? I sense this one won't be as controversial as the Asian Network/6Music decision.

[John]

This could be worthy of putting it to the vote. They are really cutting costs. It will be interesting the see the full extent of the damage to the BBC's finances

[the_grove]

I don't care about Switch. Annie Mac is great, but she is on Radio 1 anyway.

[DarkAngelMJH]

Wasn't BBC Switch and Blast just dropping the websites? What I think I read before anyway. Surely they wouldn't drop the actual shows.

[Jono]

Wasn't BBC Switch and Blast just dropping the websites? What I think I read before anyway. Surely they wouldn't drop the actual shows.

It depends what you read. Some say the website, others say the whole thing.

[Chippy]

Switch doesn't appeal to it's audience and Blast?

[yorkieboy]

From Radio One's perspective I don't see the problem, if radio one's listener age is 16-30, I don't see the harm in ditching a childish program thats not really of interest to anyone over 17 and putting something thats less age specific in it's place.

[DarkAngelMJH]

Well if they dropped the branding could just call it 'The Surgery with Aled,' 'Annie & Grimmy,' no need to use switch!

[Nik B.]

It should go. I mean come on, it's dire, and doesn't really appeal to the target audience, its just patronising. give the time to the surgery and r1 stories. make sundays interesting again.

[John]

They could do it as podcast only..

[Tom.]

They could do it as podcast only..

They can't release anything thats hasn't been played on air...

I've felt that switch could have gone for a long time. They have a narrow mind as to teenagers. I think that switch live was very good example of this. The line up of alexandra burke, jls, pixie lott, all manufactured, and n-dubz, violent arrogant criminals (which turns out is a fair comment).

[Lee.]

get rid of switch keep the surgery with aled!

[Hammer]

Ditch it and bring back Dave Pearce on Sunday nights.

[aleksander]

Ditch it and bring back Dave Pearce on Sunday nights.

Well if 6Music goes, that might not be such a bad idea! (Though the chances of it happening are so small...)

[emily...]

i dont think they should shut it down but it needs advertising more to get people interested in watching and listening to switch and it could do in getting some new better programs

[Robbie Keane]

Switch should be closed purely for being shit.

So should BBC Three,

[Guest]

Noooo.... i love Switch!!

[krazy_chloe]

They can't release anything thats hasn't been played on air...

I've felt that switch could have gone for a long time. They have a narrow mind as to teenagers. I think that switch live was very good example of this. The line up of alexandra burke, jls, pixie lott, all manufactured, and n-dubz, violent arrogant criminals (which turns out is a fair comment).

My friends went to switch live and had they had a great time.

[Robbie Keane]

Then your friends are horrible people.

[krazy_chloe]

Then your friends are horrible people.

Charming! Though the main reason they went is that one of them is obsessed with Aled.

[jesss]

i really like grimmy & annie working together but switch is awful. Its aimed at teenegers but im a teenager and i just cringe at how awful it is. I think they should keep grimmy&annie working together but not doing switch.

I also went to switch live last year and it didnt really enjoy it, it was all pop/RnB acts, no rock, plus there were just soo many chavs there :/.

[Jugalug]

6Music shouldn't go as it brings value to BBC Radio. Mitchell has pointed out the reasons why Switch should close.

[Jono]

I think Switch is something that only appeals to the sort of audience that are teeny boppers. It's not like it targets the whole of the 14-17 year old age group appropriately. It's a bit like choosing between Live and Kicking and SMTV, apart from there is no other option.

[The Stig]

I am 18, and BBC Switch puts me off listening to Radio 1. I can't stand it. It has a feel of cheap entertainment and all round immaturity about it, and to be honest I hate how they've dragged The Surgery in to it. I would get rid of it instantly, patronising rubbish, everything Radio 1 shouldn't be. The whole thing just sounds too forced for me, a desperation to attract the age range.

[Jono]

I am 18, and BBC Switch puts me off listening to Radio 1. I can't stand it. It has a feel of cheap entertainment and all round immaturity about it, and to be honest I hate how they've dragged The Surgery in to it. I would get rid of it instantly, patronising rubbish, everything Radio 1 shouldn't be. The whole thing just sounds too forced for me, a desperation to attract the age range.

I actually don't mind Annie and Nick. I'm more concerned about Tom Deacon. Although I think the whole Perez Hilton stuff is annoying. Why bother now Matt Edmondson is under used?