Radio 1 Anthems Scheduling

[Dan18F1]

Now that the new schedule has had time to bed in, what are your thoughts on how the station is sounding at the moment? I have to say, I personally think that the station is sounding pretty good right now. Many presenters seem to be top of their game and there are no obvious weak spots that I would personally change myself. 

In terms of each show individually: 

Dean - As much as I don't hear Early Breakfast that often, I think he is a perfectly competent presenter in his own right. I don't think a partnership worked for him and I do think he sounds pretty good in this show. I don't think he'll be at R1 for the long term though, and wouldn't be completely surprised if he has departed by the end of the year for a commercial network. 

Greg - I think he's still absolutely the right person for the breakfast show. The show still sounds pretty fresh (hopefully moreso now that Jan Slam is finally finished with) and I can't see any obvious person who would take over that show now. 

RMC - I enjoy the fact that their show has been a complete departure to what came before it. I'm still not completely convinced it's the best slot for them, but I don't see where else they would go on the schedule now. 

Matt and Mollie/Jerry - My favourite show on the network now! I love how fresh the show always sounds, there are plenty of features all the time and the 2 1/2 hours flies by. 

Vick, Katie and Jamie - I don't know what to think of this show. Sometimes I find it really enjoyable, other times it seems a complete mess. I have grown to like Jamie but I don't think the lack of consistency with the presenters helps at all (and obviously will be compounded with Katie on maternity in a couple of weeks)

Weekends: 

I think James has settled into that show excellently. Exactly the type of weekend breakfast show that I think R1 should be providing. I've never been particularly keen on Nat and Vicky - their style of show isn't my thing but I can see why some people would (I do really enjoy the 00s/10s show though). I'm actually slightly disappointed with Sam and Danni's new show, it's lacking something for me, whether that's because they've continued some features from the afternoon show before, or something else? I feel like this weekend has been better though so maybe they're gradually introducing more as the weeks go on. Life Hacks I don't really listen to so can't comment on. A quick note on weekend early breakfast - I still don't see the point of it? Feels like a waste of both Ore and Swarzy's presenting skills. 

The evenings are good too. Jack's show and Jerry's show are particular highlights for me. I do miss the evening entertainment show though. 

In terms of predictions for this year, I reckon it will be a quiet one (obviously not including Mollie, Katie and Shanequa's maternity leave). The only change I can possibly see is Dean leaving and Emil (?) replacing him. 

What do you all think?

[coffeeandgin]

Yep am back to enjoying the station - albeit maybe not listening as much as I might have say 5 or so years so.

The Matt & Mollie/Jerry afternoon show to me is the standout and a worthy successor to Scott's old show in that slot in a way that Dean & Vicky never were. Always fun and flies by and packed with content. Do think the show slightly misses Mollie as her & Matt are such a strong and natural pairing. However, Jerry has done a very solid job as maternity cover.

Greg is Radio 1's chief presenter and yep Radio 1 for now will be happy to have him on Breakfast as long as he wants it. He & Callum are a great pairing and the show does seem to have a new leash of life since Amy joined as producer. That said I don't have it as a much-listen the way i do say Matt & Mollie - some of the features like Yesterday's Quiz or All the Latest Things lost me long ago and Jan Slam as a competition really drags as the month goes on. 

Going Home - I just can't be doing with because of Jamie even though I like Vick & Katie. By all accounts though the show isn't necessarily hitting the way Vick & Jordan's stint did and the line-up is incredibly inconsistent in terms of presenters to the extent that either Lorraine is probably silently tutting. It feels like the only guarantee is that it'd won't be all of Vick, Katie and Jamie on together from Monday to Thursday.

With Dean fair to say IAC didn't work out quite how he might've hoped and following that and the changes last year him getting Breakfast post Greg look a lot more of a long shot now.

Weekends wise - James Cusack and Sam & Danni have settled in their new shows very quickly. James is perfect for that type of day and you can tell why Sam & Danni are seen as the future of Radio 1. S&D both have that sort of mischief and fun that Scott very much had on Radio 1 

One great these last few months has been having more of Emil Franchi and James Cusack. Both always a great listen and fit Radio 1 like a glove.  James finally on Radio 1 in a regular slot which so many of us called for for so long. Emil hadn't been on Radio 1 for ages before October but has been on loads since and even getting weekday daytime cover presenting alongside Jerry when Matt is away -  long may it continue.

The only thing I struggle with sometimes is the playlist. It's not always for me and if you listen to multiple shows then you can very quickly tire of tracks. So Scott going to Radio 2 Breakfast works perfectly for me.

 

[coffeeandgin]

Certainly compare now to around this stage a year ago and things look a lot more rosy. For a few weeks back then it looked like it may be an afternoon line-up of Dean & Vicky followed by Jamie Laing & Vick. Meanwhile Matt & Mollie and Katie would still be stuck on weekends.

Thankfully of course the further changes announced later that month fixed those issues.

[Bluestraw]

Agree with all the above, and let's also take a moment to remember it's less than a year since Danny Beard was on every weekend while James (and others) sat on the sidelines. Thankfully the right decisions were made in the end!

[NathanS]

I think all the above posts have summed up overall how I feel. I can't believe it's been nearly a year since Jordan left. I've got to be honest, I feel myself turning over to Radio 2 and sticking with it a lot more often. Greg and Matt are definitely the strongest presenters on the station. I'm not as fully sold on the Matt & Jerry pairing as much as I am Matt & Mollie, that said it's still enjoyable, especially when you compare with what we had on afternoons until last summer. Moving Matt and Mollie to weekdays is the best decision Aled has made in my opinion.

Greg has definitely stepped things up a gear again, especially since his new producer came in and since Jordan started at Capital. Nothing will ever beat the Chris Smith pairing, but Greg and Calum are a great double act, the on air interaction with the production team is great as well. I hope he has a few more years on the show at the least as there is no one obvious to replace him in my opinion.

[NathanS]

James Cusack and Sam & Danni have settled into their new shows really well,  Sam & Danni's show will go from strength to strength as time goes on. The new slot will give them perfect chance to build up to an inevitable move to weekdays. 

Going Home is the weak link on the station for me, sadly. It really has suffered losing Jordan. I don't really listen to the show anymore but I gave it a go last week and wasn't impressed. Jamie Laing kept just frequently interrupting with inane comments that added very little. I just don't see the need for him when Vick & Katie were already an established duo. 

RMC are fine as presenters.. although i don't think it's ever been the right slot for them. I don't think mid morning needs a trio.

Jack Saunders was destined for the new music show so that was another one of Aled's better decisions. 

 

[coffeeandgin]

6 hours ago, Bluestraw said:

Agree with all the above, and let's also take a moment to remember it's less than a year since Danny Beard was on every weekend while James (and others) sat on the sidelines. Thankfully the right decisions were made in the end!

Yep the Jamie Laing and Danny Beard changes have meant that recently when you the words 'Changes at Radio 1' you do sometimes fear the worst.

While I applaud Aled for making the move to put Matt & Mollie on weekdays, their show on weekends was so strong it sort of made the decision for him. If they'd never reached weekdays it would've probably been one of the strongest shows to never make weekdays.

[TheSaviourisHere]

On 2/3/2025 at 12:11 AM, coffeeandgin said:

Yep am back to enjoying the station - albeit maybe not listening as much as I might have say 5 or so years so.

The Matt & Mollie/Jerry afternoon show to me is the standout and a worthy successor to Scott's old show in that slot in a way that Dean & Vicky never were. Always fun and flies by and packed with content. Do think the show slightly misses Mollie as her & Matt are such a strong and natural pairing. However, Jerry has done a very solid job as maternity cover.

Greg is Radio 1's chief presenter and yep Radio 1 for now will be happy to have him on Breakfast as long as he wants it. He & Callum are a great pairing and the show does seem to have a new leash of life since Amy joined as producer. That said I don't have it as a much-listen the way i do say Matt & Mollie - some of the features like Yesterday's Quiz or All the Latest Things lost me long ago and Jan Slam as a competition really drags as the month goes on. 

Going Home - I just can't be doing with because of Jamie even though I like Vick & Katie. By all accounts though the show isn't necessarily hitting the way Vick & Jordan's stint did and the line-up is incredibly inconsistent in terms of presenters to the extent that either Lorraine is probably silently tutting. It feels like the only guarantee is that it'd won't be all of Vick, Katie and Jamie on together from Monday to Thursday.

With Dean fair to say IAC didn't work out quite how he might've hoped and following that and the changes last year him getting Breakfast post Greg look a lot more of a long shot now.

Weekends wise - James Cusack and Sam & Danni have settled in their new shows very quickly. James is perfect for that type of day and you can tell why Sam & Danni are seen as the future of Radio 1. S&D both have that sort of mischief and fun that Scott very much had on Radio 1 

One great these last few months has been having more of Emil Franchi and James Cusack. Both always a great listen and fit Radio 1 like a glove.  James finally on Radio 1 in a regular slot which so many of us called for for so long. Emil hadn't been on Radio 1 for ages before October but has been on loads since and even getting weekday daytime cover presenting alongside Jerry when Matt is away -  long may it continue.

The only thing I struggle with sometimes is the playlist. It's not always for me and if you listen to multiple shows then you can very quickly tire of tracks. So Scott going to Radio 2 Breakfast works perfectly for me.

 

Really well said

[TheSaviourisHere]

On 2/3/2025 at 12:18 PM, Bluestraw said:

Agree with all the above, and let's also take a moment to remember it's less than a year since Danny Beard was on every weekend while James (and others) sat on the sidelines. Thankfully the right decisions were made in the end!

😂 brilliant

[TheSaviourisHere]

On 2/3/2025 at 4:22 PM, NathanS said:

James Cusack and Sam & Danni have settled into their new shows really well,  Sam & Danni's show will go from strength to strength as time goes on. The new slot will give them perfect chance to build up to an inevitable move to weekdays. 

Going Home is the weak link on the station for me, sadly. It really has suffered losing Jordan. I don't really listen to the show anymore but I gave it a go last week and wasn't impressed. Jamie Laing kept just frequently interrupting with inane comments that added very little. I just don't see the need for him when Vick & Katie were already an established duo. 

RMC are fine as presenters.. although i don't think it's ever been the right slot for them. I don't think mid morning needs a trio.

Jack Saunders was destined for the new music show so that was another one of Aled's better decisions. 

 

🤞 Jamie goes this year

[James R]

Having spent quite a bit of time driving last week, listening to Greg is always good.  The 10 minute takeover provides a good pick me up and his show on Monday was quite good.  

 

RMC im neither here nor there for me  Charlie on Dance Anthems on her own is better.

Matt/Mollie/Jerry is always a good listen

Going home last week when it was just Vick & Katie for the 3/4 shows (I think) was a good listen.   The Wednesday show with Jamie was ok to listen to, I just don't think he added much.

 

Can't comment on weekends as I only listen to Dance Anthems on catch up 😂

[Wandering Belle]

I’m not getting to listen as much now as my office has the “local” Bauer station on and no one will change it. I’m listening to Scott on R2 from 6.30-7am and then I’ll switch to Greg. 
I’m still enjoying listening to Greg, although Scott being on R2 breakfast is proving to be a listening quandary.

I don’t mind RMC, I do enjoy Charlie on Dance Anthems too. Matt and Millie/Jerry are really good

Going Home… I think they need to get some direction with this. I’m usually listening on the way home and I’m just feeling it’s not working. It feels all over the place in my mind as one is usually off. With Katie going on maternity leave imminently, it will be interesting to see what happens next. Vick and Katie have always worked well together so I think they should maybe focus on those two, even if they are working one out of London and one out of Manchester. 
 

Weekends -

Nat and Vicky - I turn off on a Friday and actually put on Vernon. I do tune in for the Noughties show but I’m beginning to find it a bit tired. When it first started, they had the whole two hours and would sometimes pull a few gems out that had been forgotten, it really did feel like a treat to listen to. Now it just seems that they play the safest options that are usually showing up on anthems every other day or week. I think it would be good if they maybe did a deep dive and chose a year and maybe looked back at a Radio 1 playlist from that week of that year. There’s so much good music from the Noughties but it does feel like they overlook what was popular at the time and just play songs that have just remained popular. I get they are appealing to younger audiences and my age group is probably due to move to R2 but… it would be good to hear some forgotten gems of that time