The eighth floor

[NathanS]

Vanessa Feltz is another one jumping on the BBC bashing bandwagon... (unsurprising considering who she works for now) She was happy to take a wage from them for many years until she jumped ship. Funny how she's piping up with the ageism bollocks. All the people moaning at the BBC for "getting rid of him like they did Steve Wright"... The latter still works at R2, and Ken was signed up by GHR, not much the BBC can do if his mind is made up. 

 

[DC]

Feltz is a has been who never ought to have been anyway.

[marack99]

I wonder if Scott ends up doing the Eurovision final for Radio 2 as Ken Bruce did that for ages.

[DC]

Just thinking that I feel sorry for Ken Bruce. All he's really said, is that he's had great times but it's time for a new challenge. And world war 3 has kicked off. I mean he's still going to be on the radio doing what he does just elsewhere, what have the 1940s crew exactly lost anyway?

I feel if Ken personally had a problem 'with all this new 90s and 00s music for kids' as the dinosaurs say. Then wouldn't he have gone to Smooth instead? Their music policy mostly doesn't recognise a world post colour TV, Greatest Hits plays its fair amount of 90s on the other hand. Possibly even some fitting 00s stuff too pretty soon as times moves on.

[Old Codger Fan]

31 minutes ago, DC said:

Just thinking that I feel sorry for Ken Bruce. All he's really said, is that he's had great times but it's time for a new challenge. And world war 3 has kicked off.

Did try to warn you, folks!

Whatever is put in it's place needs to have just as many 'features' (e.g. retain 'Tracks Of My Years'?) or R2 will slowly but surely lose it's domination of Mid-Mornings ... Would love to be a fly on the wall, right now.

[NathanS]

48 minutes ago, Old Codger Fan said:

Did try to warn you, folks!

Whatever is put in it's place needs to have just as many 'features' (e.g. retain 'Tracks Of My Years'?) or R2 will slowly but surely lose it's domination of Mid-Mornings ... Would love to be a fly on the wall, right now.

I can see Tracks Of My Years featuring on Ken's new show, along with the 'love song' slot, they'd presumably want to keep the show broadly the same as his Radio 2 one.

[UnofficialStark]

11 hours ago, marack99 said:

I wonder if Scott ends up doing the Eurovision final for Radio 2 as Ken Bruce did that for ages.

Probably Scott and Rylan together and new semi final hosts. Certainly either Scott or Rylan involved in the final commentary on 2 I would expect.

[NathanS]

There will of course be endless speculation about who replaces Ken. If it did indeed come out of the blue for the BBC, then it's going to be quite a task deciding on the right successor. At least with Steve, they probably had it planned out for a good while. They'd probably ideally want to avoid a situation like Early Breakfast where they've had a rotating set of presenters until they decided on Owain. 

Looking at who could be a likely replacement depends on what direction they take the show. It'll definitely be someone who is familiar to the Radio 2 audience. Gary Davies would probably be the safest bet that would cause the 'least' uproar, and seems fairly popular with both ends of R2's demographic. That's of course if he would want it. Of course age of a presenter isn't everything, but he's only 6 years younger than Ken and they'll probably be looking at someone younger who will establish themselves in that slot

OJ Borg could be another option. He has been on overnights for a few years. He's a solid cover presenter when he's been on for the likes of Steve Wright, Sara Cox, Rylan etc. but is that enough to take on the most listened to show?  Could be broadcast from Salford though... Which would be a big plus point for the BBC moving a major R2 daytime show out of London. Trevor Nelson and Jo Whiley are probably the two other likely options.

[NathanS]

Dermot O Leary and Claudia Winkleman will probably be names banded about as well. However... Both of them have many TV committments that it's unlikely, imo that either would want to commit to a daily radio show. They both suit Saturday mornings well so would be poor to change that line up 

[BBCAaron]

4 hours ago, Old Codger Fan said:

Did try to warn you, folks!

Whatever is put in it's place needs to have just as many 'features' (e.g. retain 'Tracks Of My Years'?) or R2 will slowly but surely lose it's domination of Mid-Mornings ... Would love to be a fly on the wall, right now.

I think it doesn’t matter if it’s the case to drop in figures and ratings and maybe lose dominance. Weirdly think to move on and move foreward radio 2 must’nt fear losing out to its competition. Just needs to move foreward and not over think it and read things that much

[BBCAaron]

On 1/18/2023 at 12:11 AM, NathanS said:

It is indeed massive news, and a huge blow to the BBC. Fair play to Bauer and Greatest Hits Radio for signing him up (and importantly Popmaster going with him) for what is effectively the same timeslot. It's news that probably took R2/the BBC by surprise. From Ken's insistence it's his choice... And the fact it's not long since Steve left the afternoon show, it's clear that GHR indeed poached him rather than them choosing to get rid.

There could be a number of factors at play, but I doubt Helen Thomas wouldn't have chosen to take him off that slot just yet. His contract was up in March, and it would've been likely it was renewed by at least another year but, maybe the offer was too good to refuse. Best leaving on a high and of your own accord now rather than outstay your welcome and have the decision made for you further down the line. Although it might be a bit of a blow to R2, especially so soon after the last major changes were made.. it does make things easier for them to press on with evolving the station. It's clear the direction Radio 2 is going in (and it's not necessarily a bad thing, they've been gradually moving towards their current daytime sound for a few years now.. it's just more noticeable now) and Ken's show..both presenting style and music played.. has stuck out compared to the other daytime shows.

 

Once he gets started at GHR in April..It'll be a bit of a waste if he's not allowed a bit more room to put a stamp on things (like Simon Mayo at Drive time), mid mornings are very much generic commercial radio "That was, next up", three in a row..30 second links mostly about the Cash Register competition. The addition of PopMaster will be a massive improvement to the slot already. It's sounds like they're sticking with the 70's, 80's and 90's thing so...Would be good if they give him similar freedom to play a few lesser played tracks from those decades alongside the usual overplayed hits, like he does currently. 

 

For what it's worth, despite many cries online of "Radio 2 will die now" or "nobody will listen", It will likely still remain the most listened to station, and like with Scott's show and the other changes, the direction the station is heading in will attract many more listeners (many of which may well be those who have migrated from Radio 1 with Scott). I doubt Ken will take all 8 million listeners with him, although whoever replaces him will undoubtedly have huge shoes to fill taking over the most listened to slot in the UK. 

Sorry for the long winded essay.

 

Think they should be open to play some of the more newer released tracks of the legends they play and give more broad selections of the ‘greatest hits ‘ feel think who takes over needs to put on a different pair of shoes than filling the old ones

[Old Codger Fan]

1 hour ago, BBCAaron said:

Think they should be open to play some of the more newer released tracks of the legends they play and give more broad selections of the ‘greatest hits ‘ ...

This is why I listen to very little GHR, as things stand. Good records did not cease to be on 1st Jan 2000. Their brasher 'cousin' Hits Radio has the opposite problem - They think good records only started to be made on 1st Jan 2000!

[AndyK77]

Despite the fact that Radio 2 would never have wanted to lose Ken right now, he has probably done them a huge favour as the evolution of the station can really continue.

[TheSaviourisHere]

I have listened to Jo Whiley every evening this week. Firstly it has been lovely to reconnect with an old fave from R1 days. Secondly i throw her name in the hat as my fave/ideal replacement for Ken and would be great to have her back on mid  mornings. I think they will change show time to 10-12 or 10-1 though.

[DC]

2 hours ago, TheSaviourisHere said:

I have listened to Jo Whiley every evening this week. Firstly it has been lovely to reconnect with an old fave from R1 days. Secondly i throw her name in the hat as my fave/ideal replacement for Ken and would be great to have her back on mid  mornings. I think they will change show time to 10-12 or 10-1 though.

Think I said this in the chat box thingy contraption. But I doubt Jo will move now. She's back in the time slot she started out in the 90s on Radio 1, only this time without Steve Lemaq. The abuse she had when she was paired up with Simon Mayo on drive was disgusting. Even he had to step up and state that it wasn't her fault and she shouldn't of had that thrown at her. Plus she can get away with more post 7pm. Ive heard her play the likes of Wu Tang Clan Gravel Pit not too long ago, can Radio 2 play that before 7? Not sure. I think she likes her musical freedom there as a, specialist show, so why sacrifice that? 

[BBCAaron]

1 minute ago, DC said:

Think I said this in the chat box thingy contraption. But I doubt Jo will move now. She's back in the time slot she started out in the 90s on Radio 1, only this time without Steve Lemaq. The abuse she had when she was paired up with Simon Mayo on drive was disgusting. Even he had to step up and state that it wasn't her fault and she shouldn't have had that thrown at her. Plus she can get away with more post 7pm. Ive heard her play the likes of Wu Tang Clan Gravel Pit not too long ago, can Radio 2 play that before 7? Not sure. I think she likes her musical freedom there as a, specialist show, so why sacrifice that? 

I think Radio 2 need not to be affraid to ruffle feathers. Why cant the songs be played in daytime hours I think the specialist playlist needs to mixed with its daytime playlist to feel on brand and apart of the stations identity think the odd random mix needed to be reflected. 

Do think the BBC like with Sport accounts it states to take stuff like racism seriously but the trolling and abusive messages for angry people needs to have zero toleration approach trying to report hide comments and be more vocal on employee online harm and harassment. I think regardless she could and should be considered and get the slot.

It needs something different and for the slot thats music centred think she deserves to have a shot of being recognised for her talent, curation and interest in music she has. With effectively the Radio 2 show of ‘Ken Bruce’ existing on commercial radio it needs something different and distinctively different from Greatest Hits Radio.

Unlike then listeners who would be fans of Bruce and Mayo are tuning away and within the past few years. It’s starting to change and morph into something else. To switch Steve with Scott theres thick skin with management and to make some unpopular decisions to maintain its distinction.

[Old Codger Fan]

Nobody's mentioned yet what a good opportunity it would be for R1 to make a change at Mid-Morning ....

[TheSaviourisHere]

11 hours ago, DC said:

Think I said this in the chat box thingy contraption. But I doubt Jo will move now. She's back in the time slot she started out in the 90s on Radio 1, only this time without Steve Lemaq. The abuse she had when she was paired up with Simon Mayo on drive was disgusting. Even he had to step up and state that it wasn't her fault and she shouldn't of had that thrown at her. Plus she can get away with more post 7pm. Ive heard her play the likes of Wu Tang Clan Gravel Pit not too long ago, can Radio 2 play that before 7? Not sure. I think she likes her musical freedom there as a, specialist show, so why sacrifice that? 

She does sound rather at home in the current slot

[NathanS]

33 minutes ago, TheSaviourisHere said:

She does sound rather at home in the current slot

That's a good point, same with Trevor... It would be a shame to lose either of them from those slots as they suit them so well.

[Old Codger Fan]

36 minutes ago, NathanS said:

That's a good point, same with Trevor... It would be a shame to lose either of them from those slots as they suit them so well.

Look out, then, because if Management can cock something up, then they probably will !!

[AndyK77]

This is such a big slot can we rule out Scott being moved to it...Zoe moving to it and Scott put onto breakfast?

There really is any possibility and then sometimes the most unexpected thing happens.

[Old Codger Fan]

The most genius move would be to give it to Rob Brydon ... He could take the p**s out of Ken Bruce, in KB's own voice ?

[TheSaviourisHere]

10 minutes ago, Old Codger Fan said:

The most genius move would be to give it to Rob Brydon ... He could take the p**s out of Ken Bruce, in KB's own voice ?

Or Moyles he did a great impression the other day and said he was dressed smart. Because he was having an interview at Radio 2 to take over Kens slot as Ken ?

[TheSaviourisHere]

1 hour ago, AndyK77 said:

This is such a big slot can we rule out Scott being moved to it...Zoe moving to it and Scott put onto breakfast?

There really is any possibility and then sometimes the most unexpected thing happens.

I would love Mills on Breakfast but surely way too soon?

[TheSaviourisHere]

I do feel the longer we wait for the news of his replacement, the more likely if it is Zoe or Greg then it would be announced during there current shows. Anyone else i expect a general press release statement. I think it will be next month we find out.