Radio One could be axed says Tory MP

[steve24 10]

A senior Tory MP has suggested that Radio One could be axed or sold off to the private sector as part of the scaling back of the BBC http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/bbc/11735525/Future-of-BBC-Radio-1-should-be-debated-warns-Tory-MP-overseeing-charter-renewal.html. Does anyone here think that would be a good idea?

[OohErr 231]

NO! That's a terrible idea! As much as the Conservative Party hate to admit it, the public sector can always run things much better than the private sector. We all know the state of commercial radio in the UK today - it's dire, and could never do Radio 1 justice. Nor does it have the credibility of the BBC. The only people that can do Radio 1 well is the BBC.

The Tory moves to reduce the size of the BBC scare me - it is quite possibly the best corporation in the world - it's not run for profit or greedy rich shareholders, it's run for the greater good with principles of integrity and good journalism. No wonder the Tories hate it so much. The dismantling of the BBC cannot be allowed to happen.

[bensteele 46]

To quote @OohErr directly, the dismantling of the BBC cannot be allowed to happen. And, somehow, I feel like 1Xtra would be considered to be axed before R1.

[bensteele 46]

Worryingly, 48% of 700 people think that Radio 1 SHOULD be axed. The BBC's role is to inform, educate and entertain and BBC Radio 1 plays a big part in youth culture to do so - through Radio 1 Stories, Newsbeat, The Surgery...

[radio1fan 19]

I think that the current line up of DJ's would be axed if radio 1 goes commercial, apart from maybe Grimmy and Greg

[bensteele 46]

I think that the current line up of DJ's would be axed if radio 1 goes commercial, apart from maybe Grimmy and Greg

Scott's got history in Commercial Radio. I doubt he'd be axed, although, in hindsight, his contract isn't going to be renewed into the foreseeable future.

[Alex James Kitching 10]

Worryingly, 48% of 700 people think that Radio 1 SHOULD be axed. The BBC's role is to inform, educate and entertain and BBC Radio 1 plays a big part in youth culture to do so - through Radio 1 Stories, Newsbeat, The Surgery...

But who exactly *are* those 700 people? If we're talking about 700 people between 30 and 50 years old, then I'm not entirely surprised. Are we talking about 700 people who don't like pop/dance music? There are a lot of things that I don't particularly 'get' (Big Brother, X Factor, Strictly), but do they deserve axing? Probably not

[bensteele 46]

But who exactly *are* those 700 people? If we're talking about 700 people between 30 and 50 years old, then I'm not entirely surprised. Are we talking about 700 people who don't like pop/dance music? There are a lot of things that I don't particularly 'get' (Big Brother, X Factor, Strictly), but do they deserve axing? Probably not

Well, Big Brother should certainly be axed but that is a whole different discussion!

[Ryan Pannell 23]

The constant criticism of Radio 1 really does piss me off generally (not forum members). They do inform, educate and entertain. The 15-29 target audience is very ambitious and something they'll struggle to get a grip on, unfortunately we have here a station that aims at the young generation AND plays chart music. It's s bit of a clash!

I think many are out of touch with the schedule changes they've implemented, especially after Annie took over from Zane and when the weekday 10-midnight show finished. Weekday evenings on the station from 9pm are varied and it's good now.

Also, this government vs BBC war keeps going on. Pathetic! Pick on ITV for a change.