Comments on: Radio Two to undergo overhaul of weekday programming in September

By: Amanda Streisel

Amanda Streisel — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 19:26:37 +0000

If I wanted to hear Joni Mitchell I’d listen to a ‘light’ music station. Stay true to your classical roots: this is why you have the audience you do, and this is why you have such an overwhelming response to your decision. Studio Sparks is one of my favourite programmes. Please listen to your fans.
Love & Light

By: Bronwen

Bronwen — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 19:24:09 +0000

Last year, when the first major changes to Radio Two were announced, I was really disappointed. I felt that the CBC was making a bad decision in cancelling certain long-running programs, especially Brave New Waves. I was also sorry to see the newscasts reduced to five minute segments scattered here and there throughout the day. But at least, I told myself, Music & Company, Studio Sparks, and Disc Drive weren’t going anywhere.

I am in my twenties, and grew up listening to these programs. When I moved away from home at nineteen, I quickly rediscovered Radio Two and its fantastic classical programming. I listened to it more often than not, and felt that I was improving my mind and doing my soul good. Since last year’s changes, I have stopped listening to it in the evenings, but it is still my radio station of choice, and I love waking up to Tom Allen’s voice and the beautiful music on his show.

And I know that I am not alone in my demographic. My roommates and many of my friends feel similarly. When we want to listen to contemporary music, we’ll put on a CD or mp3. When we just want radio, CBC Radio 2 is usually the first choice. I hate the thought that classical music is, apparently, going the way of the dodo bird – a relic for our children to look back on with very little understanding, when it is an art form that should be fostered and cherished.

The programs that you are cancelling are, in my opinion, Canadian institutions. I frankly can’t imagine the CBC without them, and highly doubt that I’ll be tuning in after Labour Day if these changes go through. As Canadians, we have so little cultural heritage as it is. Please don’t take away what we do have.

By: Angela

Angela — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 19:18:02 +0000

As a Canadian living in the U.S. (and a professional classical musician), I often brag about the CBC, and complain that there is no national American equivalent to Radio 2. Making these programming cuts is a mistake, and will serve nothing but to damage Canada’s national identity as a country that has always supported and appreciated the arts.

By: Christopher

Christopher — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 19:12:12 +0000

As a younger demographic which you seem to be targeting, I can honestly tell you I’d rather listen to classical music (which I often do) rather than listen to this "light" music you are trying to integrate, which also includes world music. I’m sorry, but if I wanted to listen to this type of music, I would just change the station. CBC is best as what it originally was, classical music

By: Adrienne Canty

Adrienne Canty — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 19:07:29 +0000

I am absolutely FURIOUS that the CBC is turning its back on its core group of listeners with these changes. I’ve been a huge fan and supporter of CBC Radio 2 /CBC Stereo and classical music for over 20 years (no, I’m not retired, in fact I’m in the under-4o set) and I feel that these changes have been made with no consideration for the existing fan base. These programming changes are a slap in the face for loyal listeners, an insult.

I WANT continued access to classical music throughout the day, and to distinctive programming without commercial interruptions. Cancelling Disc Drive and is an enormous mistake, and CBC brass can say it was a mutual decision until they’re blue in the face… but it won’t make me believe it. Music & Company, too, is a terrible loss, particularly considering the pap that is being proposed to replace both programs.

With the proposed new programming and playlists, nothing will distinguish the CBC from mainstream commercial radio programming. I have always felt that my tax dollars allocated to the CBC have been well-spent, and that I get my money’s worth and more through listening to CBC radio. With these changes, however, I predict CBC will lose its committed listeners to satellite radio, and diminishing ratings will only make it more of a target for the federal government’s cost-cutting measures. And what of the fate of the CBC Vancouver Orchestra?

Count me as disgusted, distressed, displeased, disappointed, disenchanted, and disenfranchised. PLEASE RECONSIDER THESE PROGRAMMING CHANGES!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 18:58:12 +0000

How can you POSSIBLY do this?!?! Do we, the faithful CBC listeners not mean anything? You put up this forum for public opinion and pretend like you want to hear what we have to say. Well, now its time to grow a pair and live up to your word. Leave R2 alone!

By: S

Sun, 16 Mar 2008 18:55:29 +0000

Please don’t cut any of those programs.

By: Mathew G

Mathew G — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 18:54:00 +0000

The purpose of a publicly-funded national broadcaster is not to make money or to appeal to all tastes. It’s mission is to expose listeners to a different facet of the human experience – a mission that doesn’t require catering to the lowest common (economic) denominator. This music can’t be heard anywhere else. CBC2 is a national icon – how can anyone think of replacing it with Muzak?

By: Ashley Hilliard

Ashley Hilliard — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 18:42:19 +0000

As long-time listeners in our late 50s/early 60s, my wife and I are by definition the audience you want to jettison. We grew up on and still enjoy 50s crooners and rock-and-roll. Now, due in large part to CBC FM, as it used to be called, we appreciate a wide variety of music from around the world, provided it is authentic and not trivial, including music in the Western tradition of the last 1,000 years ("classical" music). We don’t have access to high-speed internet and we don’t sit in front of our computers all day, so your internet streaming option does us no good, and in any event the great glory of R2, until now, has been the caliber of its hosts. We came to regard your hosts as friends, whose daily or weekly on-air visits gave us great pleasure as well as a fine musical education. Each time a program is canceled, we lose a friend (oh, Danielle Charbonneau, we miss you at our dinner hour – you were a real tonic; how will we learn about recent CDs without you, Rick Phillips).

If this latest round of cuts is implemented, our quality of life will be even further diminished. We feel violated, as if we had been mugged. We despair for our own children and other young people who are just discovering that there is a musical world beyond pop-pap and easy-listening. The destruction of R2 being implemented by the current management is an utter disaster for Canada.

So, CBC brass, you asked a question and you have a clear answer from the posts on this blog. How about a public response from you?

By: Karen

Karen — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 18:38:53 +0000

Decreasing your classical music programming is not a good idea at all, folks. You do it so well– no one else touches your calibre. And while you do more commercial music well also, with a more intelligent spin than commercial stations, I don’t think your reach for a certain demographic is going to pay off so well.

There are certain aspects of classical music that capture the human experience and musical technique so well. It makes you think, and your programming in this realm has raised the cultural bar in this country. Instead of changing your programming so heavily toward commercial music interests, keep your prime time classical content and put more smart and sassy analysis and commentary with it to entice the under 40′s…it is relevant to their lives and interests if you just think about it in the right way.

By: Andrew Pickett

Andrew Pickett — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 18:38:01 +0000

When I was very small, my mom used to put on the CBC while I napped, and my dreams were filled with classical music. Later, everyone was amazed at how much I loved playing piano, in the band, and singing—everyone but my mother, who knew where it all came from. Now I’m an opera singer living in the UK, but I’ll be returning to Canada this fall. If there’s still a classical music scene to return to, and the CBC hasn’t begin the process of completely phasing it out.No doubt the new formats will save money, but they’ll just become redundant, offering material widely available elsewhere. Please keep Canada’s national classical station classical.

By: Nat

Nat — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 18:33:45 +0000

Outrageously stupid decision. I agree with Russell Smith on this one: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080313.wrussell13/BNStory/Entertainment/Why do we need another mainstream radio station? CBC is rendering itself obsolete. A very sad day…

By: Susan

Susan — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 18:30:21 +0000

The CBC has an opportunity and responsibility to programme music that may otherwise not be heard. Classical music needs this venue. Public broadcasting must be more than the everyday; must be a vehicle for art.

By: Julie

Julie — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 18:28:57 +0000

Replacing the morning classical show with a "light" format will not bring the CBC more listeners. On the contrary, loyal, long-time classical music lovers like myself will just turn the CBC off. In this age of pre-packaged, pre-programmed "light" fare, the CBC was (and I hope will remain) a refuge of sense, thought, and civilization.

By: Ryan Molzan

Ryan Molzan — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 18:15:38 +0000

This news is far too depressing. Let’s hope the CBC realizes what a horrible mistake they’re making before it’s too late.

By: Nansee Hughes

Nansee Hughes — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 18:11:42 +0000

Being a classical singer myself, I am very disappointed that the only good classical station that I listen to is planning on overhauling and changing into a more K-Rock type of station. As much as I like the shouting vocals of Celine Dion every now and again, it’s nice to know that I can switch the station and listen to Beethoven or Mozart or SOMETHING CANADIAN composed. I feel like the CBC is doing what all the schools are doing – getting rid of the music programs. Classical music helps children to grow!!!!!! PLEASE re-consider your programming changes and keep the classical music. Otherwise, I’m sure I’ll end up doing what I do with my radio everyday – not listen.

By: Marla

Marla — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 18:07:06 +0000

The whole reason I listen to CBC is for the classical music. If I want to listen to mainstream music I can listen to any number of other stations. I’ve always loved that CBC was different, and it always seemed "smarter" than other stations- don’t take that away. If you feel the need to cater to a younger audience I think that’s great – but you already are! Young people are listening to classical music – I’m 27 and have been listening to CBC since high school, and many of my friends are also self-professed "CBC-junkies". I love the music, but as importantly in my mind, I love the education – the information about composers, about the pieces, all of the extras that you can’t find anywhere else. I’m proud that Canada has a quality public radio station – don’t dilute that quality.

By: Thea Browne

Thea Browne — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 18:07:00 +0000

I love CBC R2 for the classical music. It’s the first button on my car radio and my go-to when my toddler is crying. He settles faster to that than anything else. Please rethink this move!

By: Marla

Marla — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 18:02:49 +0000

By: Cristalle

Cristalle — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 18:00:32 +0000

I’m a student, which means that 10-3 is effectively my class time. Translation: no more classical music at the CBC for me. Further translation: I will no longer be a CBC radio listener.
There are many, many radio stations out there with "light"/"easy listening" content. CBC is (was?) the only national one with a high percentage of classical music. Listening to CBC Radio Two was the primary way I became familiar with the "greats" of serious classical music AND Canadian artists such as Glenn Gould, Angela Hewitt, and the like. If it were not such programming it is quite likely that I would not be a pianist today.
"Young people" who like pop, rap, hip-hop, and so on have many other sources for such things. The (perhaps surprisingly) large number of young people that DO like classical music in this country have NO other source. Please, don’t take away their only option!!