What might cover look like after September?

[onlyME]

Why do people choose commercial radio?

This isn’t meant as a criticism, more genuine curiosity.

BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 still have huge listening figures between them, and obviously have the advantage of being advert-free. But commercial stations like Heart, Capital, Smooth, Absolute, Greatest Hits Radio and others are also incredibly popular.

I’ve always wondered what makes people choose a station with adverts when there are BBC alternatives available.

Is it the presenters? The music mix? The competitions? The local feel? The shorter links? The overall sound and branding? Or is it simply that stations like Heart and Capital are very good at giving people exactly what they want without too much clutter?

But I’m interested in what actually drives the choice for listeners. Do adverts not really bother most people? Do commercial stations feel more accessible or less “BBC”? Or is it just habit, perhaps what’s on in the car, workplace, shop or kitchen?

Would be interesting to hear from people who regularly choose commercial radio over the BBC. What makes you stick with it?

[UnofficialStark]

I suppose there’s more consistency and reliability in commercial radio. You might like mainstream music but then not the specialist output that you get on BBC stations at night times and weekends. On commercial radio you at least get the same thing you’d get on a weekday daytime all round the clock. 

[conn91]

My view, is that the presenters will be a big drive towards commercial radio listening figures, almost in a similar way to podcasts - you are driven towards the person, and not necessarily always the music, production values etc.

I get the feeling (but those more closely connected can clarify), that commercial radio is able to cough up more money, for the presenters they really want.

This is then what can drive listeners away from BBC, ITV etc., and why they would listen to commercial radio.

I think this is especially the case for Global, who to me have several different revenue streams in advertising both in the UK and abroad (I could not escape their electronic billboards when I recently went to Spain!), therefore could essentially have more money to cough up!

In contrast, the BBC have even more money to save now, than ever before, so may struggle to retain the talent they want to.

It is nevertheless a privileged to work for the BBC for a lot of its talent, so this will not always be the case, but the above is likely to influence listening figures.

I’m sure commercial also still wants to keep within certain cost margins regardless.

My above thoughts are obviously not the result in every case, but is likely to influence your question!

 

[Jono]

I mean I enjoy classical music but Radio 3 is too high brow. I enjoy the personalities and indie on Radio X but find 6Music can be a bit eclectic at times. If I want something a bit camp and uplifting and limited chat there's like Hits Pride. I guess these days commercial radio has shaken off some of unfair labels. There's something for everyone, which can only be good in the battle against streamers. 

[abertom]

The problem imo is commercial radio is largely absolutely lazy, plays decent tunes and is safe and risk free.

It’s like instant gratification because it plays the feel good hits and goes on about how wonderful everything is. You can enter the make me rich competitions. 

Listening to BBC imo is more rewarding 

[onlyME]

BBC Sounds means there is plenty to listen to now if the main stations are playing specialist shows. 

[DC]

It's a strange one. I usually have absolute or kisstory on if I haven't got Radio 2 on. The adverts on both of those drive me mental, absolute may as well have a spin off station called 'absolute adverts'.

But at the same time Radio 2 can sometimes be too oldie worldie to me. Sara Cox played Zed Bias Neighbourhood on the half wower earlier today. I got back in the van and was astonished to hear that was radio 2 I had on. Never in my life in the Steve Wright days would I have ever thought Radio 2 would play that. Yet 10 mins later you could hear some 70s durge to try and keep the older lot happy.

I think with absolute in my experience, I know what I'm gonna get and the no repeat workday is a winner. That's something other commercials need to look at too. 

[Greg20]

People listen to commercial music because they think they play more music and prefer less chat and more music