Ö÷²¥´óÐã

Following publication of the Ö÷²¥´óÐã Trust Service Review of Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio 2 and Ö÷²¥´óÐã 6 Music, a Ö÷²¥´óÐã Management Statement was issued:

We welcome this report and the Trust's acknowledgement of our ongoing efforts to ensure Radio 2 remains a distinctive network, fully focussed on its mature audience, and that 6 Music has built a loyal listenership that enjoys its broad range of music.

Radio 2 offers an unrivalled range of music – including jazz, country, big band, organ music, folk and musical theatre – alongside news, current affairs, religion, comedy, social action initiatives and readings, so we are delighted that 91% of respondents feel that Radio 2 offers something that could not easily be replaced by any other station. However, noting the Trust's recommendations, we will be revamping and refreshing our arts coverage, aiming to thread arts, documentaries and comedy into the peak time schedule and continuing to target audiences over the age of 35.

6 Music celebrates the alternative spirit in popular music from the 1960s to the present day and it is encouraging to see that 91% of respondents think that 6 Music introduces them to music that is new to them, indicative of the passion with which its audience listens to the network. However, we note the Trust's observation that the station needs to reach more listeners.

The Ö÷²¥´óÐã is committed to offering high quality, original radio programming and we are constantly looking at the best ways to deliver this – a process continuing in the Strategy Review – so we thank the Trust for their research and recommendations.

Bob Shennan, Controller, Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio 2 and 6 Music, comments:

"I'm delighted that the Trust's research shows that Radio 2 exceeds its audience expectation in delivering Ö÷²¥´óÐã public purposes, as the network deserves to be recognised as one of the cornerstones of public service broadcasting, whilst remaining an entertainment network at its heart.

"We will be building further bridges between our peak time and evening schedules to ensure that our audience is aware of the wide variety of offerings from Radio 2. The Chris Evans Breakfast Show recently featured two live tracks from the Radio 2 Folk Awards and Matt Lucas's forthcoming Radio 2 comedy And The Winner Is will be featured in Steve Wright's show to inform his daily audience of Matt's first radio comedy since Little Britain. We will deepen our commitment to music in 2010 with a weekly Radio 2 In Concert programme which launches in April, pulling together all live music output throughout the week, as well as specially recorded sessions and concerts. We also remain committed to our target demographic of over-35s and will work hard to keep our older listeners entertained and informed.

"I'm pleased that the Trust has recognised that 6 Music is a distinctive service with a loyal audience, but we understand that the network needs to increase its reach. The network is attracting new listeners and I hope that by offering a rich mix of presenting talent, including Lauren Laverne and Jarvis Cocker, and leading radio coverage of musical events such as Glastonbury, the station will broaden its appeal. I'm also delighted that listeners feel the station makes an important contribution to the Ö÷²¥´óÐã's public purposes.

"I would like to thank the Trust for this report and the insightful and illuminating process which has allowed us to identify elements that we need to improve. I'm confident that all challenges will be met, some of which we've already begun to implement."

SH