Show Diary - 5 February 2026: Mums, social pressure and modern reality

[Jono]

Surprised to learn Radio 2 and 6 Music are moving away from X and Facebook, I would have thought there's more appeal in Radio 1 doing that instead.

Their target audiences still use Facebook, and it's still a key way to reach a good mix of audiences. Agree about X though, don't see any need for it.

https://radiotoday.co.uk/2024/05/bbc-radio-2-and-6-music-quit-facebook-and-x-publishing/

[Radio_12]

I suppose it's because not a lot of people use Twitter (or X) so maybe it's not worth their time, surprised about Facebook though.

[Radio_12]

Just now, Radio_12 said:

I suppose it's because not a lot of people use Twitter (or X) so maybe it's not worth their time, surprised about Facebook though.

Although a lot of their target audience do seem to be moving across to Instagram now.

[BBCAaron]

1 hour ago, Jono said:

Surprised to learn Radio 2 and 6 Music are moving away from X and Facebook, I would have thought there's more appeal in Radio 1 doing that instead.

Their target audiences still use Facebook, and it's still a key way to reach a good mix of audiences. Agree about X though, don't see any need for it.

https://radiotoday.co.uk/2024/05/bbc-radio-2-and-6-music-quit-facebook-and-x-publishing/

Think it may have been better to include Radio 1 in this and 1 xtra ultimately focus on boosting a BBC Sounds social media to bring the multi-generational content marketed to a broader audience through one singular channel and having a separate social brand skewed to younger audiences maybe they should consider just having a @BBC @BBCSounds  @BBCSport @BBCNews @BBCFresh (youth brand) social media acounts national. 

[DC]

Probably got fed up of the usual moaning bastards all over it, asking for Ken Bruce and Jimmy Young back on air. 

[Jono]

Radio 2 seem to have decided that their strategy is just short video, so it does probably make sense with Instagram and TikTok. But I find it hard to believe there's not longer form content that wouldn't suit Facebook better.

[AndyK77]

17 minutes ago, Jono said:

Radio 2 seem to have decided that their strategy is just short video, so it does probably make sense with Instagram and TikTok. But I find it hard to believe there's not longer form content that wouldn't suit Facebook better.

I get not putting resources into X which these days is a strange mix of angry political debate and adult content only.

But you'd think Facebook was still the most popular social channel amongst Radio 2 audiences.

[ianwilk1999]

1 minute ago, AndyK77 said:

I get not putting resources into X which these days is a strange mix of angry political debate and adult content only.

But you'd think Facebook was still the most popular social channel amongst Radio 2 audiences.

Agree, all I'd see on x was medical professionals from other health trusts having a very carefully worded pop at each other, mixed in with a clip of jeremy vine with a camera on his helmet, a very strange place indeed!

I imagine they have some data to back it up, but is the r2 audience really using tiktok? 

[Jono]

I just think it's more about what they're doing. If all you've got is a DJ dancing to Beyonce's latest hit for thirty seconds or Sara Cox reading out the All Request Friday number in a funny way it's not really what Facebook prioritises. I think it's great that studio interaction, but it does lend itself to Instagram and TikTok more. But I honestly believe there is a place for Facebook with the Radio 2 audience. The trouble is Radio 2 have barely used Facebook for the last year so there doesn't seem to have been a strategy there.

[BBCAaron]

5 hours ago, Jono said:

I just think it's more about what they're doing. If all you've got is a DJ dancing to Beyonce's latest hit for thirty seconds or Sara Cox reading out the All Request Friday number in a funny way it's not really what Facebook prioritises. I think it's great that studio interaction, but it does lend itself to Instagram and TikTok more. But I honestly believe there is a place for Facebook with the Radio 2 audience. The trouble is Radio 2 have barely used Facebook for the last year so there doesn't seem to have been a strategy there.

I think they must’ve been slowly killing of their social media presence I know for Radio 2 and 6 they do have dedicated unofficial social media groups so there is an audience. All Request Friday and features like that has a place on social media as can get requests via comment sections but I think Facebook struggles to know what it is these days.

[Jono]

1 hour ago, BBCAaron said:

I think they must’ve been slowly killing of their social media presence I know for Radio 2 and 6 they do have dedicated unofficial social media groups so there is an audience. All Request Friday and features like that has a place on social media as can get requests via comment sections but I think Facebook struggles to know what it is these days.

I mean I've been growing our engagement on Facebook in my department, there's still an untapped audience there. Also, as you alude to, the number of community groups has grown a lot since lockdown. I'd love to hear more about their thinking.

If this had been Radio 1's strategy I don't think anyone would have disagreed.

[Jono]

It's made it into the Daily Mail as another reason to bash the station.

Quote

Radio 2 has been accused of abandoning older listeners after the corporation slashed its social media presence for the station to just TikTok and Instagram.

Insiders said it was 'utter madness' to prioritise apps with traditionally younger users instead of catering to the station's core audiences, for whom Facebook is thought to be most popular.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13417631/bbc-radio-2-facebook-tiktok-instagram.html

 

[Fran]

It seems Radio 2’s Threads account is now in use.