I wanted to take this opportunity to update you on our plans for BBC Radio Wales as there’s been quite a bit of comment on the changes we’re planning – not all of it accurate.
Last month, as you may be aware, we announced a new-look line-up for BBC Radio Wales’ news programmes. The biggest change is a new-look breakfast news show which will be presented by Claire Summers, bringing listeners the latest news and sport from the earlier time of 6am until 8.30am.
Oliver Hides will take the reins on Fridays and Saturdays mornings (with an extended breakfast news programme on Saturday). And Gareth Lewis will present a new-look weekday drivetime news programme between 5-6.30pm.
A commitment to journalism
First and foremost, these changes will ensure that news remains the cornerstone of our national radio service. All these programmes will be all-speech, and, yes, they’ll continue to hold decision-makers to account. Contrary to some public comments, these are not ‘magazine’ shows. They will address the biggest stories of the day and offer an in-depth look at the issues and debates that are shaping modern Wales and the wider world.
But they’ll also respond to growing audience demand for news coverage that directly addresses their passions and concerns. So expect a focus on people and communities every bit as much as our institutions. And they won’t be afraid to look at the lighter side of Welsh news and events because radio news programmes have the space to do both and we know listeners want us to strike an effective balance.
Of course, programmes are about much more than any one individual presenter and the BBC Wales newsroom will continue to play a central role in planning and reporting the stories that are broadcast on both programmes. So whilst the presenting line-up is changing, I want to be clear that we are not reducing our investment in journalism on BBC Radio Wales and both programmes will continue to draw extensively on the editorial expertise of our news department.
There has also been some press comment about the impact of these changes on female presenters. Contrary to the impression given by these reports, the reality is that these changes will deliver one of the most balanced presenter line-ups on any radio station anywhere in the UK. In fact, of the six main weekday programmes between 6am and 10pm, three will be presented by women, and three by men.
In addition, it’s worth noting that Claire will be one of very few female journalists anywhere in the UK to take on the role of solo presenter for a national breakfast news programme. We’re delighted Claire is joining the team but she is only the latest in a long line of new female voices to have signed-up with Radio Wales over recent months. Other new presenters include Carol Vorderman, Behnaz Akhgar, Angela Jay and Eve Myles.
Finally, there has also been some comment that we’re cutting news on Radio Wales. The only reduction is in the afternoon – where the weekday programme length is reducing from 2.5 hours to 1.5 hours.
Why? Because we believe the current programme duration is too long and we’re confident we can deliver more impact by focusing our editorial resources at this time of day. But we also need to keep this reduction in perspective: the new programme will still be half an hour longer than Radio 4’s PM programme. A shorter programme certainly does not mean less impact.
The wider context
I know that the BBC’s intention to seek a change to the Ofcom quota for all-speech content on radio has also led to some concern about Radio Wales’ plans. The purpose behind the BBC’s proposed request is to give individual radio stations right across the UK the flexibility to respond to changing patterns of listening at breakfast time.
In short, it is about devolving these decisions to editorial leaders who are best placed to judge what will work in their own parts of the UK - rather than being bound by a ‘one size fits all’ approach.
However, as we have already stated, we have no plans for Radio Wales or Radio Cymru to change their current news focus in peak.
Whilst all radio stations refresh their programming from time to time, these particular changes come at a time when the radio landscape here in Wales has shifted dramatically, with two of the Wales’ leading commercial radio stations recently ending their Welsh breakfast shows.
This means that many people who want Welsh radio in the mornings will be looking for somewhere else to turn. Many, we know, will be looking for output that’s smart, engaging and relevant – and we believe that’s exactly what we can offer.
There’s a wider journalistic challenge too, of course. In a news agenda dominated by what’s happening in Westminster, Europe and elsewhere, there are many distinctive Welsh stories to be told. As a result, it’s never been more important for us reach out to the biggest possible audience with news and debate that informs our national conversation.
Of course, programmes must change and evolve in response to changing times and audience feedback but I want to assure you that our commitment to quality news and journalism for Wales remains unchanged.
