The Policy of Radio 2 in 2005

- supported by R2OK ! , the Radio 2 Preservation Society

Note: R2OK ! is a listeners' group which has no official connection with the Radio 2 station or the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). This page is a summary of a previous Statement of Programme Policy (SOPP), published by the BBC back in 2005, relating to BBC Radio 2 then. Note: the current 2008 SOPP can be found summarised at R2_sopp2008.htm So, the 2005 SOPP said: BBC RADIO 2 aims to bring to listeners a broad range of popular and specialist music with particular support for new and established British artists; live music, through concerts and studio sessions; and songwriting. The network also aims to offer programmes of news, current affairs, documentaries, comedy, readings, religious output and social issues, designed to appeal to a broad audience. Regarding the key priorities for the coming year it was stated by the BBC that in 2005/2006 Radio 2 will focus to: develop live music output to consolidate the support for musical life in the UK aim to attract a more diverse audience to our programmes through our choice of topics, contributors and interviewees continue to support British music, musical theatre and new songwriters through a range of initiatives and partnerships develop programmes launched in the last year, which include new shows on musical theatre, the arts and popular music continue to serve the daytime audience with an accessible mix of stories, interviews and phone-ins, and develop further interactive elements continue to feature a drivetime daily business news slot specifically to broadcast over 800 hours of news and current affairs programming, including hourly news bulletins Regarding cultural and creative value, Radio 2 will continue to broadcast it's unrivalled range of musical genres including pop music, big band, light classical, brass band, reggae, organ music, jazz, soul, folk, country, blues and sacred music. Shows will be presented by credible experts who can also communicate with listeners who have no specialist knowledge. Specialist programmes will reflect live performances by UK and world-renowned performers, allowing people to hear music from these gatherings wherever they are. The BBC stated that Radio 2 will work closely with the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters, particularly around the Ivor Novello Awards, to ensure that the art of songwriting is given substantial on-air support. In comedy, Radio 2 will commission original programmes and develop new formats Radio 2 will produce documentaries to reflect and explain popular culture and topical stories. Specific commitments included: to broadcast the broadest range of music in the UK, with over 1,100 hours of specialist music programmes to broadcast over 60 hours of musical theatre and film music to carry over 100 hours of arts programming to commission new musical arrangements from leading arranging talent for use within Friday Night is Music Night, Big Band Special and Listen to the Band

Acknowledgements:

• extracts from BBC policy have been edited in line with the requirements of BBC Terms and Policy, and are published here for personal use of R2OK members and for non-commercial use.

this page first published 20 August 2005
last updated 20 August 2005

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