On September 2nd of this year, CBC will undertake a massive remodelling of Radio Two, probably changing the name of the station to “The New Two” in the process. They are going to drastically cut back on classical content, and try to market themselves to younger listeners with more pop and cross-cultural music. I like many people, think this is a drastic mistake.
CBC does not have a history, on Radio Two or Radio One, of having a knowledge of pop music. Their current segments are filled with dren that I wouldn’t want to listen to, and I listen to almost anything. Radio Two’s forays in electronic and techno music were interesting, but not very well marketed at all. I’m not sure CBC has a company culture that will work for this proposed format shift.
Secondly, in my travels across Ontario and Quebec, I’ve noticed that Radio Two only has decent reception in areas that are saturated with pop radio stations – Ottawa, Peterborough, Toronto. CBC will face still competition in those markets, with many stations that not only have an established listening base, but know how to market pop and hip hop better. I honestly doubt that the CBC is going to hire scantily clad young women to make appearances at local clubs and bars to market the station, like Hot 89.9.
Not saying they don’t know what they’re doing, but I wish that CBC would concentrate on what they know how to do. The loss of Radio Two is the loss of a classical music market, which may be a niche in this modern age, but is a niche that I was glad to see filled by someone.
CBC does not have a history, on Radio Two or Radio One, of having a knowledge of pop music. Their current segments are filled with dren that I wouldn’t want to listen to, and I listen to almost anything. Radio Two’s forays in electronic and techno music were interesting, but not very well marketed at all. I’m not sure CBC has a company culture that will work for this proposed format shift.
Secondly, in my travels across Ontario and Quebec, I’ve noticed that Radio Two only has decent reception in areas that are saturated with pop radio stations – Ottawa, Peterborough, Toronto. CBC will face still competition in those markets, with many stations that not only have an established listening base, but know how to market pop and hip hop better. I honestly doubt that the CBC is going to hire scantily clad young women to make appearances at local clubs and bars to market the station, like Hot 89.9.
Not saying they don’t know what they’re doing, but I wish that CBC would concentrate on what they know how to do. The loss of Radio Two is the loss of a classical music market, which may be a niche in this modern age, but is a niche that I was glad to see filled by someone.
2 comments:
I guess we'll have to revert to the Cornwall Variety "bathe with a toaster" station then.
It may interest you to hear that Traci Trottier, host of the incredible "bathe with a toaster" After Dark Programme, can now be heard during the daytime only, if I recall correctly. I guess evening gloomy listeners will have to cope with only John Tesh's exciting advice!
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