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Which commercial station is top of its game?

Jono

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Jono

Jono

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With all of the changes going on in commercial radio over recent years, I wondered which station you think is at the top of its game in 2021?

Jono

Jono

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12 minutes ago, IamNotFromUK said:

LBC is pretty great IMO

A good suggestion. They seem to be getting the multimedia mix right. I've had to listen to government press conferences for work while driving and while Radio 4/5 cut away, between LBC and LBC News they cover it.

IamNotFromUK

IamNotFromUK

Posted
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On 1/28/2021 at 12:58 PM, Jono said:

A good suggestion. They seem to be getting the multimedia mix right. I've had to listen to government press conferences for work while driving and while Radio 4/5 cut away, between LBC and LBC News they cover it.

I'm not sure about their content as in political left-right balance and such, as I know too little about UK politics, but I think the whole station imaging is great. It's fast, it's important. Well, maybe a little bit too important, but it sounds really professional. I like their presentation style which is engaging, serious and relaxed at the same time and listeners are a big part of the output. I work in a public radio station in my country (similar to your Radio 4) and I think that UK talk radio is a gem. We are way too bureaucratic back here.

Old Codger Fan

Old Codger Fan

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1) For the talk-based networks: LBC has come on leaps and bounds, very well-established brand now, often on top of breaking news and does 'what it says on the tin'. TalkRadio is hampered by a line-up consisting (largely) of pub-bore presenters, but is doing well pushing it's constant streaming. TimesRadio deserves credit for relying on sponsorship only (no adverts as such) - Style is deliberately more 'dry' than the others, but I put an hour aside for John Piennar.  TalkSport2 is building a reputation for ACTUAL sports coverage, as opposed to the acres of inane 'banter' on the main TalkSport.

2) For the music-based networks: There are quality shows to be found in many places, but there's no one station I can stick with for an extended period of time. They all default to too many blocks of overly-predictable playlists, too-long ad breaks, and too many restrictions on what the presenters can do. Still, honourable mentions for: Chris Evans & Graham Norton on Virgin, Frank Skinner & Bush & Ritchie on Absolute and Simon Mayo on Greatest Hits. I sometimes fantasise about one combined station, which would give room (and breathing space) to all of them ...

3) Just to note that I regret it now seems to be out-of-the-question altogether for any show to divide its time equally between talk and music. Nick Abbot was able to do that for a time on the old 'Virgin 1215', in a richly entertaining way.

Lee E

Lee E

Posted
Posted
On 1/28/2021 at 11:04 AM, Darren m said:

Capital dance is good I listen to mistajam on sat nights it’s like his radio 1 dance anthems show but with a fe ads which I’m used to now 

 

I Love that station, and having Jam on it is even better, it seems he's allowed more links and voice than any other global station, or show apart from Moyles maybe? certainly loads more links that you'd get on heart or Capital 

I wonder if he negotiated that - looks like hes off for a week now wonder who is covering 

The station is clearly a success as it has a breakfast show now which is a good sign 

  • 1 month later...
BBCAaron

BBCAaron

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Personally i find I tend to listen sometimes to Times Radio for bit of news or some of the political chat then rolling news LBC News is quite ok to pop in every now and then. Radio X and Capital Dance are my favourite commercials though I wished that Radio X and Absolute Radio had something of late night specialist playlist radio 1 has and something like 6 Music in being about more new music and getting diverse selections and real fans of music 

BBCAaron

BBCAaron

Posted
Posted
On 2/1/2021 at 12:25 PM, Lee E said:

I Love that station, and having Jam on it is even better, it seems he's allowed more links and voice than any other global station, or show apart from Moyles maybe? certainly loads more links that you'd get on heart or Capital 

I wonder if he negotiated that - looks like hes off for a week now wonder who is covering 

The station is clearly a success as it has a breakfast show now which is a good sign 

I think it’s case MistaJam seems to have the most creative freedom over there as he seems to have had direction in its set up and the launch probably knew he would be big name that could produce something that can compete with radio 1 would like to see it get a few more presenters and different shoes but doing good much better than heart dance 

Sven

Sven

Posted
Posted

I think the Radio X line up is pretty strong but the lack of diversity in the playlist eventually wears thin (even as someone who loves indie). I used to listen every morning (Moyles and Tarrant) before Greg started the breakfast show.

Absolute Radio is my usual go-to if I switch off Radio 1 but nothing has changed much in a long time. A notable exception is Bush and Riche however, especailly since you can go to one of the decade stations (absolute 00s for me!) if the main playlist is grating. 

Talksport 2 and Capital Dance are two stations I'm listening to a lot more these days

BBCAaron

BBCAaron

Posted
Posted

I’d rather it sound bit like 6 Music with keeping with some rock and indie focus but would be good seeing them do more cross genres playing Alt rap Alt RNB Alt electronic some stuff like playing Easylife loyle Carner and Arlo Parks some more alternative but think rsdio X could do with spin off one focused on really new exciting stuff cross indie and alternative and one more classic rock Brit pop with bit of funk and some classic golden age hip hop and early house and somewhere adding a show that sounds some stuff you’d hear on Gilles Peterson show get more eclectic and for people who like a mix of genres. Capital Dance is really good thought that MistaJam before would be good for a dance station from dance anthems and his energy but thought he’d still like to present touching on rap, rnb and different genres some indie stuff. But think his passion for dance has been able to shine though good at interviews bringing his knowledge of the history and some more contemporary song choices which is nice and refreshing for global. Think with Radio X and even Capital Dance needs few specialist music presenters and that is bringing a unique sound as would good if Radio X did more with Xposure. Commercial listen to Times Radio, Capital Dance the odd time, 6 Music on the bbc and even Jazz FM from time to time 

On 3/23/2021 at 11:34 AM, Jono said:

I notice a lot of Radio 1 DJs in recent years talking about mental health.

Greg, Scott, and Grimmy have all spoken previously about anxiety, a number of other DJs have also tweeted and have spoken about their struggles. Greg posted how he needed a break this week, while Matt Edmondson also gave quite an open interview with the Mirror recently about an illness. 

It surprises me given how confident they all are behind the microphone despite what they've had to deal with - certainly very inspiring for those who have their own struggles. 

I do wonder if there's a podcast series in hearing how these personalities deal with it while presenting at one of the biggest radio stations, should they all be up for it. 

 

On 3/24/2021 at 5:22 PM, Sven said:

I think the Radio X line up is pretty strong but the lack of diversity in the playlist eventually wears thin (even as someone who loves indie). I used to listen every morning (Moyles and Tarrant) before Greg started the breakfast show.

Absolute Radio is my usual go-to if I switch off Radio 1 but nothing has changed much in a long time. A notable exception is Bush and Riche however, especailly since you can go to one of the decade stations (absolute 00s for me!) if the main playlist is grating. 

Talksport 2 and Capital Dance are two stations I'm listening to a lot more these days

 

  • 4 weeks later...
IsaacM

IsaacM

Posted
Posted

Global Radio have several stations which, I think, are at the top of their game. As mentioned before, LBC is good for news - I enjoy listening to the bulletins and some shows alongside it, but I also enjoy dipping into Capital and Heart every so often.

One station that's really stood out to me is Capital Dance. An excellent range of dance music from the classics to the currents, plus some great shows and of course, the top talent on-air. MistaJam is an excellent broadcaster and it's really great hearing his energy when he does his shows.

As for Bauer - it's a real shame that Hits Radio has replaced a handful of commercial local radio stations, but Kiss in London is still going strong and I do like listening to it from time to time as well. A mix of Pop, Dance and Hip-Hop... with that characteristic increase in speed in their songs of course!

anothernerd

anothernerd

Posted
Posted

From Gloabl- Capital Dance is arguably the best station to launch in a long time IMO. The DJ’s are all brill. (Coco and Jam especially) 
From Bauer- I’ve recently fell back in love with the absolute  network. Their drive time show is brilliant. I don’t like Grimmy- so that’s where I go at 4PM. Their breakfast show is bad, The other shows are meh.

Also shout out to Union Jack- A niche station. But very very good. I like the mix of Music there.

BBCAaron

BBCAaron

Posted
Posted
13 hours ago, anothernerd said:

From Gloabl- Capital Dance is arguably the best station to launch in a long time IMO. The DJ’s are all brill. (Coco and Jam especially) 
From Bauer- I’ve recently fell back in love with the absolute  network. Their drive time show is brilliant. I don’t like Grimmy- so that’s where I go at 4PM. Their breakfast show is bad, The other shows are meh.

Also shout out to Union Jack- A niche station. But very very good. I like the mix of Music there.

Agree with you on Capital Dance it is a solid and good station feel it’s the one where the presenters seem to have the most creative freedom and isn’t the most restricted feel they potentially take a bit from the audience the Radio 1 dance stream could’ve had wouldn’t be suprised if they ever have some sort of residency or feature mix but would be good to see where they go. Absolute enjoyed their bank holiday indie disco that was good was floating between Radio X and Absolute. Possibly feel that Absolute could do good with more themic or themed playlist shows or have with one or two of their station maybe flagship some specialist shows or some more presented by artists, album listening parties or sort of audio documentaries. Feel with Greatest Hits and Jazz FM right now stations over Bauer are sounding quite good

BBCAaron

BBCAaron

Posted
Posted
21 hours ago, IsaacM said:

Global Radio have several stations which, I think, are at the top of their game. As mentioned before, LBC is good for news - I enjoy listening to the bulletins and some shows alongside it, but I also enjoy dipping into Capital and Heart every so often.

One station that's really stood out to me is Capital Dance. An excellent range of dance music from the classics to the currents, plus some great shows and of course, the top talent on-air. MistaJam is an excellent broadcaster and it's really great hearing his energy when he does his shows.

As for Bauer - it's a real shame that Hits Radio has replaced a handful of commercial local radio stations, but Kiss in London is still going strong and I do like listening to it from time to time as well. A mix of Pop, Dance and Hip-Hop... with that characteristic increase in speed in their songs of course!

Sometimes for news go for Times Radio as like Matt Chorley’s show or catch the evening paper reviews or such dip in time to time. Find the LBC News rotating live news is good to dip in to follow a breaking news story as did with the ALBA Scottish party launch or a bit around impeachment and inauguration stuff.

Personally it’s LBC News, Capital Dance and Radio X over on global. Though if Capital Xtra Reloaded had more themed shows of presenter shows playing some Garage, Grime, U.K. Funky, Jungle, Gospel, Slow down soul Rnb with odd Mowtown, Dancehall, socca  etc with some presenters like Jenny Francis and some others that would been heard on rinse and choice the station that came from it could be a more of a station that had some buzz for those who like black music and who feel since capital Xtra some of the sounds have been lost from commercial radio bit more verity.

It’s like interms of playing more from the deep cuts and exploring the scene of dance music Heart Dance could do more to be a classic dance station felt like Dave Pearce or some others who may have done dance anthems years ago would be good for that station 

  • 6 months later...
DC

DC

Posted
Posted

Kisstory, has done for years now even considering its limited playlist. Just added Judge Jules to its lineup and Paul Oakenfold for specialist shows.

on the grid.

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