The Newsroom

The Times’ Radio Station after “BBC News Stars”

(February 2020)

This site closed in March 2021 and is now a read-only archive
OM
Omnipresent
Listening to John Pienaar this afternoon, the station is going to need tightening up.

It obviously has some very accomplished presenters, but they were still running with the Boris Johnson interview which hadn't generated anything newsworthy. An interview with Anneliese Dodds went on for far too long.
Last edited by Omnipresent on 29 June 2020 9:46pm
BB
BBI45
Currently having some streaming issues. Can't tell whether it's a problem on Williams' end, the streaming server, or my end...

EDIT: Stuttering issue continued through Pienaar promo.
LV
LondonViewer
Listening to John Pienaar this afternoon, the station is going to need tightening up.

It obviously has some very accomplished presenters, but they were still running with the Boris Johnson interview which hadn't generated anything newsworthy. An interview with Anneliese Dodds went on for far too long.

It’s not unlike when TV news does a relaunch and they have a specially commissioned piece which runs all day (or week!) - even if it’s not that newsworthy. Wouldn’t necessarily read too much into it. It was big interview to grab for the launch, given that he avoids interviews, even if he didn’t say anything that interesting.
Jeffmister, Londoner and BBI45 gave kudos
IS
Inspector Sands
Unexpected boost in ratings for Times Radio Malawi!




That must be a big factor for stations these days. I remember when I first got a smart speaker trying to get it to play Radio X and getting some American station. It's a lot easier now Global have a 'skill' - that takes over (although always gives me the Manchester one)

It's never given me Radio Exe though, I've no idea how I'd listen to that if I ever wanted to
IS
Inspector Sands
Jonwo posted:
Quite like what I have heard so far, nice to have a new speech station that doesn't have phone ins.

That's something that I hadn't realised. I wonder how long that will last for?
Quote:
It will be interesting to see if other Times podcast make it onto Times Radio, something like Walking the Dog wouldn't seem too out of place and be a nice break from news and politics.

I suppose it would depend how many listeners it would take away from/drive to their podcasts. Also a lot podcasts work because they are podcasts and don't translate well to radio. They're a very different medium in many ways.

Thing is these days that radio has largely lost the ability to do radio that's just entertaining, it either has to be focused music or news. With a few exceptions, mostly on the BBC. The real innovation and inventiveness is in the medium of podcasts
SP
Steve in Pudsey
Jonwo posted:
Quite like what I have heard so far, nice to have a new speech station that doesn't have phone ins.


Judging by how Talk Radio struggles for callers, it's probably a good plan. Possibly they will be introduced when they have built up an audience?
CI
cityprod
Jonwo posted:
Quite like what I have heard so far, nice to have a new speech station that doesn't have phone ins.


Judging by how Talk Radio struggles for callers, it's probably a good plan. Possibly they will be introduced when they have built up an audience?


I'd much rather they didn't introduce callers. It's overdone in talk radio circles, and so very few callers actually have anything to say that's worth listening to. The odd one or two that do have something worth hearing doesn't make up though for the dross that makes up most callers "contributions".
JO
Jon
I’m not sure I’d say it was overdone, stations that do it obviously think it’s worthwhile even if you’re not a fan.

I think as soon as you start introducing them on a major scale to Times Radio it automatically becomes a more tabloid product.
CI
cityprod
Jon posted:
I’m not sure I’d say it was overdone, stations that do it obviously think it’s worthwhile even if you’re not a fan.

I think as soon as you start introducing them on a major scale to Times Radio it automatically becomes a more tabloid product.


I'd be more of a fan if producers were more selective about the contributors they put on, but that's not what happens, because it's way cheaper and quicker to bring callers to air, than spend pre-production time booking guests who could fill up the time with more worthwhile or at least more interesting content. It's got absolutely nothing to do being a worthwhile endeavour in itself, and everything to do with being cheaper and less time consuming.

You are correct in your second point though, and that's why I don't think they will introduce phone ins, as it will cheapen the product, make it feel more tabloid, and thus detract from the prestiege of The Times as a radio brand.

14 days later

DE
derek500
I wonder how long it'll be before the great Alastair Stewart gets a slot?

He's done radio before (a brief stint at 5 Live when it launched).

Would seem a natural home for him.


He's back on TalkRadio from next Monday in the 6.30-10am slot, covering for Julia Hartley-Brewer.
LL
London Lite Founding member
I wonder how long it'll be before the great Alastair Stewart gets a slot?

He's done radio before (a brief stint at 5 Live when it launched).

Would seem a natural home for him.


He's back on TalkRadio from next Monday in the 6.30-10am slot, covering for Julia Hartley-Brewer.


A massive contrast from JHB's confrontational style.

19 days later

BB
BBI45
Sounds like Times Radio has found it's first sponsor. The BMW 5 Series are sponsoring the Breakfast show. Not sure whether they're sponsoring the show all week, or just the weekend editions. The sponsorship started yesterday, so we'll have to wait until tomorrow to find out.

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