Changes at CBC Radio 2
There’s been some writing here in the US about CBC’s upcoming changes to Radio 2, but I want to attempt a more broad view of what’s happening.
Radio 2 is making another significant cutback in classical music. Even in the most recent phase of the redesign, morning drive is mainly classical, and afternoon’s venerable DiscDrive is…. well, it’s somewhat classical, or classical/jazz/folk/world, or “whatever Jurgen Gothe wants to play.” Both drivetime shows will now have much less classical music. Middays have been solidly classical and it looks as though it will remain so, even though the daytime schedule will shift - Eric Friesen is leaving in August.
CBC is, however, planning a major online initiative, launching three 24-hour internet radio services - classical, jazz, and singer-songwriter. This is the biggest move CBC (the English-speaking variant) has made in internet radio since launching Radio 3, a service that’s now also available in North America on Sirius. On a number of levels, this is a significant expansion of all three genres, even though they’re getting less air time on FM radio.
And now, pardon this half-assed analysis of an American: the changes at Radio 2 follow, by several years, a similar shift at CBC’s French cultural network, which transformed to Espace musique. Espace musique encompasses a very wide variety of music - classical, jazz, world music, emerging artists, chansons, even hip-hop, punk, ska, and electronica on weekends. Espace musique has also launched eight online music channels focusing on the principle genres of the service - Bande à part. (There’s a flavor of Bande à part on Sirius, too.)
CBC’s French services have traditionally been successful with listeners - CBC has tremendous strength in the production of French audio and video content. But at least part of the CBC’s success in French-speaking Canada is because of its widely understood role in preserving Francophone cultural distinctiveness and cohesiveness. CBC English radio has long been committed to preserving Canadian culture, but the changes on Radio 2 now represent an extremely broad view of the Canadian musical culture the corporation wants to embrace and extend - certainly more broad than most public radio programmers in the US would be willing to consider for a single service.
What I think will be interesting to watch is the long-term impact of this extensive change on listeners to Radio 2… if the audience grows, or not… and how its demographic shifts.
CBC Radio 2 has continued to be dumbed down and the changes are pat of this. radio listeners who have loyally been part of the audience, like ourselves, are turning off the station, the reduction in classical music will likely turn us to another service. The glib nonsense that am Radio 2 poses as entertainment commentary is utterly infuriating. With globe and mail writer Russell Smith we agree CBC might just as well kill Radio 2 and give it a decent burial
So where are the details of this supposed new c;lassical music service planned for the internet. Will such a service include news bulletins and will it be free of those dreadful dreadful promo spots? We need to know more details. Having been so dissapointed by the CBC over the past 12 months, I’ll believe when I hear it.
Rick,
Yes, we’re all interested to see what they’ll be up to.
We turn the CBC off a lot now.We,re Canadian born and feel the CBC is now or is becoming a propaganda tool for so called new Canadians who want us to embrace their beliefs.Theres too much discussion about many topics that we find either offensive or uninteresting to us. We live in troubled times and I believe Canada is headed for cofrontations that will make the separatist problems look like a walk in the park. Religious fanatism is going to eventually destroy the peaceful coexistence of the many ethnic entities in our society that have managed to accept each others viewpoints,sometimes admittedly a little shakey,but the Moslem faith will not.” By Fire and Sword” and ‘Infidel” are not idle beliefs. The CBC should cool it and have a very serious look at some of the stuff they are programing.
I am so disappointed to lose so much classical music. I keep the radio on almost all day and many nights and need to hear classical music. I’m especially disappointed with the nightime programming now that CBC has started playing really odd music (mostly unpleasant) and doesn’t resume classical music until 5 am PDT. I also miss the after dinner music (after 6 pm evening news). The man who has been “sitting in” for Tom Allen this past week has been most unsatisfactory. Please bring back some intellect and Tom.
I have just read a list of the proposed changes (yes, yet again) to make CBC 2 even less appealing than it is now. My favourite programme, with T. Allen, will disappear, as will E. Friesen and J. Goethe. Who is the person who thinks that this is a good thing? Classical music is a balm to the heart for so many of us, and so many stations pander to every taste except that one. Why not be original and keep classical alive on one station at least? When all those changes will take place, my husband and I will say goodbye to the CBC for good. And we have been such constant and loyal listeners. The dumbing down of life should stop somewhere. Why not with the CBC? THAT would be original.
I am disappointed and dismayed with gutting of classical music programs on CBC 2 and particularly with proposed changes that will come on in the fall. I will never listen to CBC 2 again.
I will be listening to the Buffalo radio station WNED more and more. I am very disappointed with the proposed changes to CBC radio two. I find myself turning off CBC radio quite often.
The new changes will force me to listen to even more classical radio stations from europe on the internet. how about revamping the presentation of classical music on cbc radio instead of cutting down( less talk and babble, more classical music)i agree with sheilah roberts; cbc radio IS dumbing down. sad!
I’m watching from a distance the latest tinkering the tall foreheads are doing to my once favorite radio station. From a distance because about a year ago when constant petitioning and letterwriting campaigns seemed to fall on deaf ears, I switched from radio 2 to podcasts and my own classical collection. I read now that disk drive and music and company are on the chopping block and, from a distance I can see the circle now coming complete, as radio 2 once and for all kicks the last of it’s faithful listenership out the door. I was dissappointed a year ago, now this once great haven for culture and the arts is just a sad shell of what it was.
The top brass at CBC clearly don’t understand the audience that Tom and Jergen attract every morning and evening. They are my daily therapists. Where would I get all the history and trivia from if it weren’t for Tom? Where would I hear the amusing stuff that Jergen broadcasts? I can get my morning and evening classical fix from Classical 96.3, but it’s not the same. If this insane plan goes ahead then maybe Tom can get a job with 96.3. I will suggest that to them. CBC would lose a lot of listeners. Although Jergen is based in Vancouver I’m sure that technology could keep his voice and eclectic programming to us via 96.3. However, I suspect that as you move away from the major cities (such as Toronto) there is NO alternative classical station.
The CBC is no longer seving its traditional audience. Classical music is the cultural heritage of the people who pioneered this country when it was just forests, lakes, rivers, and mountains (which I love). We live in a multi-cultural society. That doesn’t mean cultural replacement. CBC has destroyed the last broadcast orchestra in North America. What’s next?
As for me, if these changes are implemented I will bocott CBC altogether, including television, which also includes, of course, Hockey Night in Canada, Coronation Street, and the Olympics (nothing to do with Tibet). The Royal Canadian Air Farce is going anyway, so I won’t miss that.
BOYCOTT THE CBC. Do what private broadcasters have been trying to do for years and not suceeded. The CBC are commiting suicide.
Hello: What a glorious day of music on Sunday - all Beethoven!! Only our “own” “old” CBC FM station would be so bold! We are truly thankful.
Why must there be changes to a successful format? We who love the classics will not listen to pop, rock, or other current fads in music. Nor are we cowboys who yodel and strum tonelessly. We don’t have an alternative station. Other types of music are forever playing on umpteen stations on our dial.
CBC has been a unifying force in our huge country. Let’s keep it that way. Let’s not change a successful format for FM classical music fans. Perhaps CBC AM can handle a change.
Phyllis Macza
I came to Toronto 25 years ago and one thing I love most about Canada is or was the CBC radio program, both in English and French. Already th changes introduced recently disappointed me greatly although I do appreiciate the fact that some of these programs, both in French and English, on Radio CBC2, offer music from around the world - so introduce all Canadians to a diversity of music from cultures represented in canada. That should be limited to a couple of hour a day if that. What is further announced as to program changes frightens me! With multiculturalism being the philosophy is this country, there is a real need for one cultural LINK that’s “truly Canadian” if there is such a thing. I would argue that CBC has been that strong link across the country and should continue to be: it is vital, essential. So many new ethnic groups have their own radio and TV stations; what people need to become more part of this country is an historical reference to its past culture and main present culture so as to adapt to it and not hear their own music and pop and jazz yet again, like on so many other radio stations. I think CBC is making a big mistake and wish they would go back on their decision and also no disband the CBC orchestra… And please, CBC, do not remove Tom Alan in the mornings…
This campaign of destruction strongly reminds me of the Chinese Cultural Revolution. Young, mostly uneducated people, driven by a bunch of fanatical ideologues, systematically vandalized cultural and religious symbols across the country, until there were very few left. You can still see the results, wherever you travel in China. Now these same people are adults and they wish they did not do so!! Cultural heritage of a country is not to be messed around with.
What a shame that CBC Radio2 thinks there are not enough people listening to Classical music. It’s obvious that’s what they are thinking. I grew up in Toronto listening to CFRB’s Starlight Seranade that my Mom had on. Later on my own I found CBC Radio 2. It’s interesting that I am finding that as people age they turn to classical music. I also hear younger people listening to it as well. To me that shows that classical music is very poplular!
Has anyone had the misfortune of tuning in to CBC Radio 2 at 10 pm PST?. Dreadful,but never mind what I think; a survey of who’s listening to that crap needs to be done ASAP, and I’m sure the result will be NOBODY. A huge waste of air time and taxpayers money.Tim Evans BC
I am devastated to think that changes are being made to CBC 2…. I have been a CBC listener all my life, and my parents as well…..I was not happy with the changes to CBC 1, so was delighted when I was able to pick up radio 2 on our dish….we live in Cranbrook, and can only get their local radio station which I never listen to, so depend on the CBC…. Why cannot people who want a lot of modern music just listen to thier local radio stations and leave CBC as it is!!!!! Sally Passey, Cranbrook, B, C…..
The most recent buzz at CBC 2, “Wherever Music Takes you” has taken me to Classical 96.3, PBS in Buffalo and my own music collection. In the past there was no need to advertise their programming. It all was good. Now even the voice doing the advertising turns me off.
If CBC moves to a broader mainstream format, then why is it still funded by the Government? If it wants to compete, let them work on a level playing field. If they want government $, it should be with a requirement to nuture and support classical arts.
Seriously though, my teen kids laughed at the idea that CBC might shift to appeal to them. Never. They listen to classical when I put it on, but when they hear CBC’s attempt to ‘relate’, and they usually change the station. Keep trying CBC.
Finally, why doesn’t SIRIUS get a hold of Tom Allen and the rest of the gang and get them on satellite. I’d pay.
And I won’t even start about their spot ads. Tells us alot about their ability to live on the edge. Why not stick to what worked well? Who is running that place?
How can we petition to have their funding pulled?
Don’t despair good listeners, this was bound to happen when the youngsters took over. Never lead but follow the trends is their motto. What I’ve been doing ever since I started to hear the changes is to lay in a good eclectic supply of my favourite music on CD including classical, jazz and whatever. Then I can turn off the ditsy, effete voices which continually interrupt my morning and afternoon listening with their throaty promos.
It’ll soon be “Goodbye CBC , its been good to know yer” - Thanks Shelley, Katherine, Eric, Jurgen ,
Danielle, Katie and so many other good comperes.
Upon moving to Bellingham, WA from California, one of the first things I discovered was CBC Radio 2. It convinced me that Canada might be the last bastion of civilization in North America. I start every morning with Tom Allen and can’t imagine how dreary my day would be without him and his classical cohorts.
Rock, Country, R&B, and other “popular” music forms abound on the radio. By changing its format, CBC will not be giving us anything that isn’t readily available, but it will be depriving us of a music form that seems to be heading for extinction. Since I neither vote nor pay taxes in Canada, it is obvious I, and other U.S. citizens, can’t have much of an impact on this decision. Nevertheless, I find it shortsighted and wrongheaded. This will be a sad day for Canada and all of its citizens who value the intellectual stimulation provided by the current format.
I’ve been posting about this on my blog for the last few months. Losing Tom Allen will be a drop in the quality of my life. Of this I have no doubt. Mornings won’t be as interesting, funny or enlightening. I’ll miss his music and company (both in the title and those words in actuality) the way someone misses a family member when they die.
To prepare for the day when ‘The Music Dies’ (Hey, classical music can plunder from pop culture references too), I’ve bought an Internet Clock Radio that will bring in many thousands of Internet-based stations via our WiFi network. Eventually I’ll find one I don’t mind waking up to. Unfortunately, it will probably be in a different time zone, so forget about ‘morning-appropriate’ content. At least it won’t be Easy Listening pablum or the chatter of inane talk radio (or even the swiftly Rightward-moving NPR in the US). The car will have to be iPod instead of radio.
That the CBC has screwed this up so epically is a real surprise. When I moved to Canada 3 years ago I thought it was yet another advantage of living in a more sophisticated country. Now (and I’m tempted to think it’s a Harper/Conservative view that ‘culture’ is a dirty word, because anything that they think is intellectual is suspect’) the CBC is going away, and as far as I’m concerned an advantage of living in Canada is also vanishing.
Update: That spluttering, gasping, speed-talker, Tom Allen, will remain on the air, sadly…..and D. Drucker, where did you get the idea that our socialist backwater is a more “sophisticated” country? LOL!!!