Comments on: The new CBC Radio 2 schedule

By: Querulous

Querulous — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 20:11:23 +0000

The March of Folly at CBC continues: as audience numbers for Radio 2 dwindle, CBC management perversely hopes that country music will bring them back. We are now witnessing the next step in the decline of CBC Radio 2 as a public broadcaster of quality music and intelligent commentary. Save for a few hours in the middle of the day, the network churns out a bizarre mixture of recorded music interspersed with trivial chatter—the purpose seemingly only to fill the network time as cheaply as possible. Most of the quality programs were withdrawn last year and replaced by programs that have served only to drive away existing audiences without building new ones. Now the morning and late-afternoon programs—hitherto run-of-the-mill programs at best—have sunk to a level of mediocrity that can only further alienate audiences.
We hope that the destruction of Radio 2 is not too thorough, and the egos not too big, and the political climate not too hostile to rebuild CBC into the quality public broadcaster Canadians deserve, else the network will eventually be auctioned off to commercial interests. The sad part is that, by then, nobody will care.

This is my second attempt to post to discussion area.

By: Isabelle Jankovic

Isabelle Jankovic — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 05:23:47 +0000

There is a reason this new mix isn’t heard anywhere else – it went out in the ’70′s!!!
We used to enjoy listening to Tim Allen and we can tell he is trying to work with this new format, but the fun things – like the cage match – are gone. If you want to mix up the genres, do that, but don’t dumb it down. Usually we enjoy the new shows and new hosts, but not this time. What sets CBC apart is the thoughtful, intelligent programming and it’s disappearing quickly on both Radios One and Two. Radio One is becoming daytime television of the air and Radio Two has become a 1970s easy listening station. Good thing there’s an off switch and we have been using it a lot lately.

By: Bruce Carlson

Bruce Carlson — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 22:47:32 +0000

Is it possible that the moderation person is excising or editing any negative mentions of current CBC2 personalities?

I see many references to the “great” Tom and Ericm but only oblique references to “the new classical music mid-day host” instead if her real name.

By: Donald Lawlor

Donald Lawlor — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 06:05:04 +0000

It used to be a great wake-up to the news at 6 AM then Tom Allen with great classical music and commentary to die for. There was nothing like it on this planet. We listened to it all morning with breakfast, on our way to work and even work was made bearable listening to it.
Now it’s gone. Replaced by a mixture of all the other stations. It’s more of the same and less of a difference.
We’ve been loyal listeners for many years, now it’s time to turn to the satellite radios for a hope of what we’ve lost.
Is it too much over-management? CBC was good but now it will be no more.

By: a disenfranchised westerner

a disenfranchised westerner — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 01:16:51 +0000

Once again CBC has united the country! Only this time in mourning the dumbing down of the kind of intelligent, quirky, homey, humourous, laid-back, …namely highly varied hosts and their excellent and eclectic playlists that captured the minds and hearts of so many of us who were bored out of our minds with the mindless pap of commercial radio.

Yes, I too am sad at the lack of listenable radio which brought me to work with a smile on my face (tip of the hat to you, Tom) not grating my teeth as it is now, with the new insipid programming.

“Everywhere music takes you?” Well, it’s taking me to the electronics store to investigate satellite radio and to my word processor to write my MP.

Shame on you for destroying a Canadian institution; it would be as if you were about to change the theme to Hockey Night in Canada…oh, yeah, you’re doing that, too…

By: The order of the universe has been restored | Nicholas & Maureen Renaud

The order of the universe has been restored | Nicholas & Maureen Renaud — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:19:11 +0000

[...] actually write some posts, I’m not sure where to start. Do I begin with my complaints about the new Radio 2? Discuss the upcoming election, and the fact that I shook the hand of the Green candidate for our [...]

By: Marti in Calgary

Marti in Calgary — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:58:05 +0000

The new CBC Radio Two is hugely disappointing. Over the past two weeks I have struggled to understand CBC’s new agenda that is attempting to attract a younger, hipper demographic rather than capitalizing on its existing, devoted, and diverse audience.

At 24, I have grown up listening to my parents favorites including shows like Disk Drive and Sound Advice. These programs and others on the ‘old’ CBC have in turn become some of my own favorites , in particular when I am seeking refuge from all the mainstream, commercial-filled nonsense that is the alternative. I presume many people of my generation would agree that there was no good reason to change a perfectly brilliant thing.

If I am who the new CBC is trying to target they have failed miserably. I have already filled the programmed button in my car with yet another mainstream, Top-40esque station I am sure to hate, but at least I know what to expect.

By: Roger Garrity

Roger Garrity — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 22:36:07 +0000

Thank you for forcing me to discover BBC 3. Check it out…it’s how the pros do it!

By: leithcam

leithcam — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:55:01 +0000

I’ve tried for two weeks, God knows I’ve tried, but replacing the intelligent, articulate commentary of Eric Friesen and the cheerful warmth Catherine Belyea (and before her, Shelley Solmes) with the giggling soprano simperings of (Oh my, do say your name again for the 40th time!) is surely a programming error of a magnitude well beyond the 1970′s bouncing of Don Messer. What was once delightful is now boring, even the music seems despondent. Where are the producers who guided ‘Studio Sparks” and “Here’s to You?’ Have they been replaced or jyst bludgeoned into submission?

By: Janeen

Janeen — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 03:38:18 +0000

I’ve never listened to any other radio station. Yes, sure, I probably will be able to get hooked up with NPR. That doesn’t make me feel any better about losing Eric and Jurgen and Peter (not to mention Panda). They were such brilliant and charming presences in my life for so long. Oh yes, I was pleased to hear that Tom Allen would still be in place in the morning, (after an endless summer of reruns). It might have been better after all to have him gone entirely than to have to see him so sadly lobotomized.

By: Dylan Haines

Dylan Haines — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 02:46:02 +0000

I have tried the “New 2″ for a couple of weeks now. This is an unmitigated disaster for the CBC. I am a 45 year former musician who loves all kinds of music – however the daily mish-mash CBC2 has become is untenable and I am moving my dial elsewhere, after being a fan of CBC FM and CBC 2 for most of my life. A sad day indeed that Canada’s only national classical music broadcaster has collapsed.

If the bean counters at the CBC were going after the 30-45 year old demographic with this new format, they will be able to count listeners on one hand pretty soon, as I am one of those.

Shame on CBC brass and the fed govt. for allowing this to happen to what was once the flagship of classical music in North America.

By: P. Toft

P. Toft — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 02:40:10 +0000

The recent changes to Radio 2, including the dropping of Disc Drive, appear to be designed to alienate most of their previously loyal audience. Disc Drive was a refreshing program every weekday afternoon. It was always a pleasure to listen to both when driving and at home. The new format is not to my taste and here on Vancouver Island there is no other source of good music on the airwaves. Fortunately I now have an iPod so I can easily access my own recorded music at home and on the road. Goodbye CBC!

By: susanna

susanna — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 17:28:30 +0000

There is not much more to add about the new (awful) format that hasn’t already been said. As a rabid CBC supporter for most of my life it’s getting harder and harder to argue with the “waste of tax dollars” folks. Thank god for Katie Malloch and Stuart MacLean……….

By: christa wright

christa wright — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 21:04:02 +0000

I tuned in to radio 2 as an alternative to rock stations and because I was beginning to enjoy what opera and classical music had to offer. The new schedule and loss of highly informed talent has truly saddened me.

By: Roger Garrity

Roger Garrity — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 17:21:02 +0000

You have not revitalised (note the correct spelling) Radio 2, you have ruined it. You appear totally determined to cater to the zit ranchers and dandruff farmers and their sad lack of musical good taste. As so many others have already said, to no avail I’m sure, you’ve lost a long time listener. If CBC relied on advertising dollars you’d be off to a well deserved oblivion along with your exploding rectum logo and the guy with the pre-pubescent voice. Oh and goodbye to the moderator who has probably decided that my comments don’t meet with his/her/it’s liking. TTFN.

By: Emily G

Emily G — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 16:45:49 +0000

Chris Woodward:

The “announcer guy” is named Jeremy. Tim Tamashiro, the weekend host of “Tonic”, has told me that Jeremy’s only job is to do all the promos for Radio 1 and Radio 2. So if we had the hosts doing their own promos, this poor guy will be out of a job.

I miss the old days when the hosts did their own promos, and when the promos were only broadcast around the top of the hour instead of in the middle of the show and on Radio 1 too.

By: Stu

Stu — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 14:09:45 +0000

I was deeply saddened by the loss of Radio 2 programs, Music and Company, Studio Sparks, and Disc Drive. Peter Togni, Eric Friesen and Jurgen Gothe and their programs were some of the greatest programs on radio.

You have replaced them with mindless pap and I can not help wonder if there is some sort of conservative driven agenda to eventually eliminate the CBC. Don’t get me wrong, the CBC still has a lot of fantastic people and is one of Canada’s greatest resources. Please do not kill it by eliminating your best programs and people!

By: JRao

JRao — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 22:50:08 +0000

I actually really enjoy the new radio 2 format, and in particular, the new Drive program. As much as I enjoyed Jurgen Gothe, I find the new program’s playlist to closely match my own musical tastes. I found the old radio 2 to be too focused on classical music.

I really enjoy the contemporary mix of music now being played, especially since there is still a focus on Canadian artists. Example: K-Os would never have been played on the old Radio 2. I think it’s great that music like his is not shunned anymore for being too mainstream. At the same time, the Drive program is playing music that would never be heard in mainstream radio, and music from a wide spectrum of genres.

However, I do empathize with people who loved the old focus on classical music and the intelligent discussions of the hosts, especially since it seems that there is no place for that anymore. A dedicated classical radio station, with discussions (which the webstream lacks), would be ideal.

By: amy amy

amy amy — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 22:15:24 +0000

I heard that Sirius is starting a channel that will include Brave New Waves… new shows and old repeats. Not sure who’s hosting or when it will start.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:27:29 +0000

I have been hearing about new programming on CBC. Tom Allen is a very very funny man and well informed . I loved hearing him when possibe in the mornings. How could you pssxibly let such talent slip by?
and Yugen Goth>? is he gone. Also very talented. Who did you say is running the show?