BBC Audience Council Wales audience outreach activity at the Charter Housing Tenant conference, Newport, October 2014

This was one of a series of audience outreach activities undertaken by the Council to gather the views of audiences regarding the BBC’s Speech Radio Services so as to inform BBC Audience Council Wales’ advice to the Trust as it conducts a Service Review of the BBC’s network speech radio stations – Radio 4, Radio 4 Extra, Radio 5 Live and 5 Live Sports Extra. The event was organised through the good offices of Charter Housing – a housing association operating in south-east Wales. The two Audience Council members present approached tenants attending the event, and there were around 70 or more people at the conference. The age range of those present extended from babes in arms to grandparents. A number of the tenants were dressed in fancy dress, since the conference was held close to Halloween.

BBC Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra

Of the small proportion of Radio 4 listeners present, a number were heavy listeners with the station’s news, current affairs and factual programmes particularly mentioned. The station’s “topicality” was considered central to its output. The Archers was also a favourite with a number describing themselves as “big fans”. Drama was also an element of the station’s output which attracted listeners, with the afternoon play strand mentioned. One participant said that he regularly down-loaded Radio 4 podcasts.

One participant said that he now listened to Radio 4 more frequently having stumbled upon the station, and been captivated by the discussion on at the time. He suggested that it would be good if there could be more cross-promotion of programmes across BBC Radio’s Network stations.

There were no Radio 4 Extra listeners.

BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Live Sports Extra

A small proportion of those present listened to Radio 5 Live and appreciated the station’s news, current affairs and sports output. No-one present said they listened to 5Live Sports Extra. One listener said that the main reason she tuned in to the station was the “magazine type shows” broadcast by the station. Others said that they loved the station’s football coverage. A telling comment was heard from one participant who said “I wouldn’t listen to speech radio if there was no sport”.

Comments on other BBC Radio stations

A relatively high proportion of those present who listened to the radio at all were listeners to BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2. The main attraction was the music played, and a number of those present making reference to their transition from Radio 1 to Radio 2 listening as they got older. The lunch-time discussion programme on Radio 2 was mentioned by a number of those present as was the Radio 1 newsbeat programme, and these injections of news and current affairs into the main focus of music was considered important aspect of both stations.

One listener said that she though Radio 2 would benefit from having music that wasn’t quite so lively later at night!

Radio 3 was listened to by one participant who primarily appreciated the station’s musical output – with light classical being his preferred genre.

Radio Wales was also listened to by a significant proportion of those present, and identified by those listeners as the place to turn to get the national news of Wales, as well as more local news, sport and information on such matters as traffic and weather. The station’s musical output was also praised with the String of Pearls programme mentioned and praised by a number of people. Younger Radio Wales listeners expressed their disappointment that Radio Wales did not do more to promote new Welsh bands through the station’s programmes.

The station’s sports coverage – and in particular its commentary on football or rugby matches – was praised and appreciated.

Only a very small proportion of those present spoke Welsh and listened to Radio Cymru. The response of listeners however was positive, with the station’s C2 strand praised, and the station’s attention to new Welsh music appreciated. The station was also praised for its discussion programmes and its news and sport output.

A number of those present said that while they chose the BBC as their news provider, some frustration was felt that such a significant proportion of the news seemed to emanate from “the Westminster mile”.

It was interesting that a significant proportion of those approached said that they tended to listen to the radio via their TV sets with a number of those not owning a radio. A small number said that they also accessed the radio via a smartphone.

One person raised the matter of the cost of the Licence Fee, but thought it higher (£175) than it actually is (£145.40).