BBC Radio 2 has misplaced one million listeners in its first quarter, following the departure of longtime host Ken Bruce.
The figures had been shared by radio business physique Rajar, and reveal that figures for the BBC radio station have dropped considerably since Bruce left his place on Radio 2 to hitch Best Hits Radio.
In keeping with the report, following his departure from the radio present – which was the preferred radio programme within the UK – in March, the station has seen listeners drop by greater than one million between April and June.
In his new position, Bruce has additionally been reported as attracting just below three million listeners to his Best Hits Radio mid-morning present; round 1.25million greater than seen below the present’s earlier host, Mark Goodier.
These figures, whereas a rise for the programme, nonetheless stay considerably lower than what he initially attracted on Radio 2.
Following his departure, the Radio 2 present was hosted briefly by Gary Davies for a number of weeks, till Vernon Kay took over the position as Bruce’s everlasting alternative on Could 15.
Whereas the newest figures mark a lack of roughly seven per cent from the station’s earlier quarter, BBC Information highlights that Kay joined the programme mid-way by the viewers measuring interval, launched by Rajar. Which means the business will likely be unable to see an correct illustration of his figures till the following quarter.
Different figures reported confirmed that whereas most stations noticed a decline in listeners, BBC Radio 1 noticed a rise this quarter – bringing its listeners as much as 7.7million. Moreover, Zoe Ball noticed her listeners drop by 533,000, though her Radio 2 present stays the preferred Breakfast present within the UK with 6.7million listeners.
“Radio 2 stays the UK’s hottest radio station with 13.5 million loyal listeners who tune in every week to one of the best music from the previous seven many years, introduced by a few of the nation’s most beloved presenters,” mentioned station boss Helen Thomas of the lately launched figures (through BBC Information).
“Congratulations to the good Zoe Ball who continues to host probably the most listened to Breakfast Present within the nation.”
Bruce additionally commented on the current statistics, saying: “I’ve at all times mentioned that it’s probably not concerning the numbers and it’s not, for me at the least, however I’m delighted to listen to right this moment’s information for the crew right here at my new dwelling.”
Final week (July 27) it was reported that the host would even be set to host a brand new spin-off station for Best Hits Radio, devoted to music from the ’60s. Elsewhere, Bruce launched a brand new TV adaptation of his radio quiz PopMaster.
In different radio information, it was reported on Tuesday (August 1), that BBC Radio 1 DJ Arielle Free was taken off air after clashing together with her colleague over the selection of music.
The second occurred throughout a dwell broadcast in Ibiza, when she advised Charlie Hedges, who was enjoying ‘My Barn, My Guidelines’ by Stream MCR-T and horsegiirL: “Can I be trustworthy with you Charlie? I anticipated higher of you. I don’t like this music…I hate it.”
As she started to additional criticise the music’s lyrics, Hedges turned her mic down. Total, she was on air for lower than a minute.
