Should Radio 1 be doing more?

mike65

You'l be aware of that annoying promo running on Radio Eireann this weather, how do they stand over it?

They could start by trying there hand at some formats that are a staple of BBC radio - no not phone ins! Stuff like comedy and drama series, panel games, current affairs strands that go behind the headlines.

Radio One schedule

Radio 4 schedule

The difference in tone and content is clear enough, BBC Radio 4 is a strong mix of enlightenment and entertainment, whereas Radio One is a live talk fest overwhelmingly based on reaction to events of the day/morning papers

Now I wouldn't expect RTE to be able to match the Beeb, resources are not equal while filling the same number of hours but the National Broadcaster really should be able to aim a bit higher.

Big Tone

Now you're talking about one of my hobby horses Mike.

Get rid of the very annoying commercials, they constantly interupt good interviews etc. The tedious ads repeated up and down the coutry on every radio station should be scrapped for our flagship National station.

Get rid of "personality"-driven radio move them to a radically revamped 2fm. One look at the Radio 1 schedule and anyone can see its all those RTE "names" and having the same "personalities" present the same show for years and years and years is a disgrace.

Totally overhaul the Radio 1 schedule and scrap programmes like Liveline over to the new 2FM, introduce more light entertainment but keep focus on current affairs but not so much that it colours the whole schedule.

Variety - you know what to expect every single day on Radio 1. The weekday schedule is predictable and repetitive in the extreme, ditto the weekends.

FlutterinBantam

Happens to be what people like abut Radio 1 actually.

When Bridie in Knockcroghery toones in at 1000 hrs she expects to hear the news followed by PK:rolleyes:

mike65

Get Tubbers, Collins and Mooney onto RTE Radio Easy Gold that would free up 3.5 hrs a day for proper programming.

FlutterinBantam

And that would consist of.........................?

mike65

See radio 4 for details.

humberklog

I think it it does a pretty good job from 7 to 7. I don't like all the presenters all the time but they do entertain and inform in a way that a lot of Irish people like. I don't really go with the notion that rte should take its format or style from auntybeeb as that is a very British corporation informing and entertaining a British public. Two different peoples in personality and culture. Sure a lot is shared but with a twist.
I'd like to see more comedy properly nurtured in the evenings, more science and arts too. This is where I think it lags a lot and where there could be an audience too. If properly produced, presented and promoted. A 5 year plan's needed to rise their evening content.

No way should any of these celeb presenters be put back to R2. Now there is a station that needs a total overhaul, but not in the direction of flooding it with chatterers. Promotion of new music etc. But that's for a different thread.

GSF

RTE Radio 1 is magazine show crazy. On BBC R4 specialists are allowed to present shows on personal finance, legal matters, etc but on RTE it has to be Mooney or Tubridy who know very little about most things, who host any discussions on these topics. I sense R4 management would love to bring in celebs too (all radio managers seem obsessed with them), but they know that if they tried the public would storm Broadcasting House and string them up.

DMC

mike65 wrote: »

See radio 4 for details.

Woman's Hour?

You and Yours?

**** no! :eek:

lostexpectation

but isn't rte 1 bit like bbc 5, if rte had a few more stations, it surprising there not doing a r4 clone on digital.

mike65

DMC wrote: »

Woman's Hour?

You and Yours?

**** no! :eek:

Well okay not everything!

DMC

mike65 wrote: »

Well okay not everything!

LOL, mike, just did that to rise ye

But lostexpectation hit the nail on the head. RTE Radio 1 is more like BBC Radio 5 Live in that it's core weekday 7-7 schedule make it a predominantly news (and some sport) station, in that it has presenter-led current affairs programming and phone-ins. Only on some weekday nights and Sunday nights does Radio 1 come close to Radio 4 in terms of documentaries, literature and drama.

Of course, there can be nit-picking with the style and type of presenters, 5 Live has the same issues, For Tubridy, Duffy and Kenny, read Nicky Campbell, Victoria Derbyshire and Richard Bacon.

Ronan Collins, Maxi* and Late Date are the exceptions with the music, but I do enjoy their mix of music, (special mention here for Donal Broughan for The Weekend on 1 on Saturday mornings) but if it was found elsewhere on the dial, I'd listen there.





*well not Maxi, but just the point on music policy on Radio 1. She would be first against the wall come the revolution

mike65

Nicky Campbell, Victoria Derbyshire and Richard Bacon are peeps I avoid funnily enough I like Simon Mayos prog, its what Tom Dunnes should be to drift completely off topic.

DublinWriter

mike65 wrote: »

The difference in tone and content is clear enough, BBC Radio 4 is a strong mix of enlightenment and entertainment, whereas Radio One is a live talk fest overwhelmingly based on reaction to events of the day/morning papers

Now I wouldn't expect RTE to be able to match the Beeb, resources are not equal while filling the same number of hours but the National Broadcaster really should be able to aim a bit higher.

IMHO Radio 4 is the aspirational gold-standard in talk radio.

It's a little unfair to compare RTE Radio 1 with BBC Radio 4 as you're not comparing like with like.

That's not to say RTE should up it's game in relation to Radio 1.

Radio 1 captures a big nationwide demographic almost by default and the big problem with RTE is that they aren't going to start messing with a lucrative cash-cow.

The 'sameness' of the programmes on Radio 1 is astonishing. Look at the format of the Tubridy, Kenny, Finucane, Mooney shows and it's basically the same feckin' show!

30 years ago the schedule was far more diverse with comedy and drama in prime day-time slots (Frank Kelly's Glen Abbey show and Harbour Hotel).

RTE doesn't and won't take risks with Radio 1 because a) ad-revenue is King and b) they have a public-sector approach to innovation.

Ideally, what they need to do is push the music out to an dedicated easy-listening station (à la BBC Radio 2) and bring back John Kelly's Mystery Train while they are about it. They could even re-introduce the now defunct and once excellent 'No Disco' back into such a music-only station.

Such a station would allow Radio 1 to remain talk-only and introduce more drama, documentary and comedy into the day-time slots.

I find their current marketing tag line of "We've got the nation talking" is a little bit self-congratulatory for what is arguably a very mediocre output.

If they have the nation talking then it's about the stratospheric salaries paid to some equally mediocre broadcasters.

FlutterinBantam

DublinWriter wrote: »

IMHO Radio 4 is the aspirational gold-standard in talk radio.

It's a little unfair to compare RTE Radio 1 with BBC Radio 4 as you're not comparing like with like.

That's not to say RTE should up it's game in relation to Radio 1.

Radio 1 captures a big nationwide demographic almost by default and the big problem with RTE is that they aren't going to start messing with a lucrative cash-cow.

The 'sameness' of the programmes on Radio 1 is astonishing. Look at the format of the Tubridy, Kenny, Finucane, Mooney shows and it's basically the same feckin' show!



If they have the nation talking then it's about the stratospheric salaries paid to some equally mediocre broadcasters.

I could not agree that Tubridy and Mooney are the same as Kenny and Finucane. No way.

Cannot for the life of me understand the salaries paid to Finucane Kenny Ryan John kelly and O'callaghan, but thats another topic:mad:

Real FM

Youve got to realise that what RTÉ Radio 1 have in place now seems to be working, as reflected in the recent JNLR figures - the 10 top programmes were RTÉ's. Just because it doesn't work for you doesn't mean it doesn't work. It clearly works for a large amount of radio listeners.

I agree, it would be great if RTÉ had something like BBC 4 but why should RTÉ Radio 1 have an overhaul when what their using clearly works. It's easy to say RTÉ should do X, Y and Z but it's all about resources.

Quite simply RTÉ Radio 1 won't overhaul their current format, its a working mechanism, but if you are looking for an RTÉ alternative thats quite similar to BBC 4 then check out RTÉ Choice on DAB/online. They play some great stuff that isnt all presenter driven. There's some little gems in there.

DublinWriter

Real FM wrote: »

Youve got to realise that what RTÉ Radio 1 have in place now seems to be working, as reflected in the recent JNLR figures

So if we're just working on the figures, then by the same argument McDonalds is nutrious and wholesome food?

Real FM wrote: »

- the 10 top programmes were RTÉ's. Just because it doesn't work for you doesn't mean it doesn't work. It clearly works for a large amount of radio listeners.

Ireland is a late entrant to the field of independent commercial broadcasters and I'd strongly argue the point that RTE seem to have almost a de-facto national market share because of this. It's almost the same position that BBC Radio found themselves in the mid/late 70's before being decimated by the independents in early 90's forcing the eventual purges at BBC Radio 1.

Real FM wrote: »

I agree, it would be great if RTÉ had something like BBC 4 but why should RTÉ Radio 1 have an overhaul when what their using clearly works. It's easy to say RTÉ should do X, Y and Z but it's all about resources.

Resources? Remember, we're talking radio here, not period costume drama. BBC Radio 4 has been a proving ground for nearly all of the most successful TV comedy that has been on BBC TV for the past 20 years. If there's one charge that could be leveled against RTE it's that it doesn't encourage up and coming talent. We've seen the eventual results of this in headline sponsors such as Renault pulling out of the Late Late Show sponsorship.

Real FM wrote: »

Quite simply RTÉ Radio 1 won't overhaul their current format, its a working mechanism, but if you are looking for an RTÉ alternative thats quite similar to BBC 4 then check out RTÉ Choice on DAB/online. They play some great stuff that isnt all presenter driven. There's some little gems in there.

Sorry, but niche programming doesn't pay the rent. Geographically about 5% of the country can receive DAB. You might as well be telling people to go look up an aertel page on teletext.

Thanks for proving my general point. RTE lack the senior executive management talent to realise that the cash-cow is being milked to death and that the independent commercials will take them in a pincer-movement via the hinterlands in five years.

People in this country are seriously beginning to question the cozy financial arrangements with government bodies that seem to be in place. Right now FAS are in the spotlight, but be under no allusion, RTE will at some point in the next five years be rigorously examined.

humberklog

DublinWriter wrote: »

the independent commercials will take them in a pincer-movement via the hinterlands in five years.

Well field marshall Newstalk is being held down in Stalingrad and not looking too healthy at moment so that 5 year plan may need to be revised.

Real FM

1. How does your McDonald's argument prove anything - The reason so many people buy McDonalds is because is cheaper and quicker than most food outlets - you dont have to pay more/less money to listen to radio stations.

2. If you bothered to check the choice schedule you'll find RTÉ's dramas, docs and some BBC dramas are on on a dailly basis. DAB is available too more than of the country, its online, internet radio and will be on ntl soon. How do you listen to BBC?

3. RTÉ don't nurture talent? True to extent but thats changing - Their docs and dramas are now primarily made by teams in their late 20s/30s - I know this because I know them. Also they have just taken on over 30 new DJs on DAB specifically looking towards the future.

mike65

30 new DJs when RTE are suffering a plunge in ad revenue? Sounds extravagant.

Enda Caldwell

DublinWriter wrote: »

So if we're just working on the figures, then by the same argument McDonalds is nutrious and wholesome food?


Ireland is a late entrant to the field of independent commercial broadcasters and I'd strongly argue the point that RTE seem to have almost a de-facto national market share because of this. It's almost the same position that BBC Radio found themselves in the mid/late 70's before being decimated by the independents in early 90's forcing the eventual purges at BBC Radio 1.


Resources? Remember, we're talking radio here, not period costume drama. BBC Radio 4 has been a proving ground for nearly all of the most successful TV comedy that has been on BBC TV for the past 20 years. If there's one charge that could be leveled against RTE it's that it doesn't encourage up and coming talent. We've seen the eventual results of this in headline sponsors such as Renault pulling out of the Late Late Show sponsorship.


Sorry, but niche programming doesn't pay the rent. Geographically about 5% of the country can receive DAB. You might as well be telling people to go look up an aertel page on teletext.

Thanks for proving my general point. RTE lack the senior executive management talent to realise that the cash-cow is being milked to death and that the independent commercials will take them in a pincer-movement via the hinterlands in five years.

People in this country are seriously beginning to question the cozy financial arrangements with government bodies that seem to be in place. Right now FAS are in the spotlight, but be under no allusion, RTE will at some point in the next five years be rigorously examined.

Some great points raised Dublin Writer! And who can argue with that? They can even win EVERY award at the PPI's.... but what good is that if they are not making any money? In a commercial age the BBC is restructuring and re-inventing itself. Not to say they "get it right" all the time, but I tell you this that BBC are a lot less aggravating to listen to or watch than RTE.
Chris Cary came to Ireland in 1981 and within 2 years he had cornered the Dublin radio market and had hit them in the jugular. Always pleasing to think of that time. They have not learned from this.

LordSutch

Real FM wrote: »

How do you listen to BBC?

I listen the the BBC with my Stereo plugged-into to the Chorus/NTL socket > but its amazing the amount of Irish people who are not aware of the FM socket in their very own house :eek: and even if you just have the 'Basic' Chorus/NTL package you will receive (approx) twenty FM Radio Stations including BBC Radio 1 BBC Radio 2 BBC Radio 3 BBC Radio 4 BBC Radio 5 + The World Service + Classic FM plus one or two other non Irish Stations too ....

RTE Radio One is too parochial, stagnent & narrow for my liking, so I tend to listen to BBC Radio 2/4/5 most of the time, apart from when I need local news.

,8,1

No ads on Radio 1 would make a lot of sense. It would surely make programming easier and create a better flow.

humberklog

,8,1 wrote: »

No ads on Radio 1 would make a lot of sense. It would surely make programming easier and create a better flow.

Programming would be a cinch as there couldn't possibly be any programmes. Not even pips. Not even the angelus.
How would no ads make a lot of sense?

Real FM

Let me get this straight RTE should do more drama than regular daytime programming - something that costs more per minute than regular daytime programming whilst getting ride of their mainstream form revenue? Logical :rolleyes:

FlutterinBantam

Real FM wrote: »

Let me get this straight RTE should do more drama than regular daytime programming - something that costs more per minute than regular daytime programming whilst getting ride of their mainstream form revenue? Logical :rolleyes:

Mother a jaysus:rolleyes:

DublinWriter

Real FM wrote: »

Let me get this straight RTE should do more drama than regular daytime programming - something that costs more per minute than regular daytime programming whilst getting ride of their mainstream form revenue? Logical :rolleyes:

Real FM - the only argument you seem to be making here is for RTE to be watching the bottom line.

While I'm all in favour of semi-state behemoths paying their way, you seem to forget that RTE as state broadcaster do have a duty to produce quality and innovative programming and not to just go for the lowest-common-denominator commercial-jugular.

Taking your argument to its logical conclusion they we should just sell the f*cker off and let the private sector sort out the obvious complacency and militant unionism that's rife within the organisation.

God knows we could do with the money.

mike65

Looks I should pay more attention! RTE Choice is a sort of BBC4/RTE Radio 1 hybrid

http://www.digitalradio.ie/rteclone/program-schedule.php?id=1&day=2009-01-03

DublinWriter

mike65 wrote: »

Looks I should pay more attention! RTE Choice is a sort of BBC4/RTE Radio 1 hybrid

...out of interest Mike, can you find a schedule for it on the RTE website? I couldn't.

brettmirl

DublinWriter wrote: »

...out of interest Mike, can you find a schedule for it on the RTE website? I couldn't.

http://www.digitalradio.ie/rteclone/program-schedule.php?id=1&day=2009-01-03

Mr Pseudonym

I've found this thread a delightful read, and was impressed by some of the analysis, so congratulations to all involved!

"Radio One is a live talk fest overwhelmingly based on reaction to events of the day/morning papers." - I think that's very perceptive, and I'm kicking myself for not having explicitly identified it.

A criticism I'll add to the list is the way in which a story is passed from show to show: the main story on Morning Ireland will likely be the main story on SO'R, News-at-one, and Drivetime. On a particularly bad day, Liveline and Late Debate may also get in on the action.