BBC waters down plans to merge local radio shows after critical 'feedback' trends now
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The BBC has backtracked on its plans for local radio programmes after facing a backlash from staff and audiences for its plans to axe services that could also result in hundreds of job losses.
The broadcasting company has now announced that it will be increasing the number of afternoon and weekend shows and revising the merging of stations from its original proposed plan.
It comes a day after a collection of music organisations wrote to the BBC’s chairman, Richard Sharp, sharing their “grave concerns” over the future of the broadcaster’s platform to support up and coming musical talent.
In October, the BBC local radio stations share more content and broadcast less programming unique to their areas in a bid to revamp the broadcaster into a “modern, digital-led” broadcaster.
The broadcasting company has now announced that it will be increasing the number of afternoon and weekend shows and revising the merging of stations from its original proposed plan (pictured: BBC Kent presenter Anna Cookson)
The proposition was to see local programming restricted to weekdays before 2pm with the BBC planning to produce 18 afternoon programmes across England that will be shared between its 39 local radio stations.
On Wednesday, the corporation announced it is increasing the proposed number of afternoon and weekend programmes and revising proposed pairings of stations following “feedback from staff and audiences”.
The number of afternoon weekday programmes between 2pm and 6pm will increase from 18 to 20, it said.
The announced amendments will also see the number of weekend daytime shows between 10am and 2pm on Saturday and Sunday mornings go up from the proposed 12 programmes to
