'Umble ?

Bob Shennan's "defence" of Radio 2, in an interview in The Guardian, has raised the odd hackle in commercial radio.

"We lead tastes, we don't pander to them" is one quote. And it goes on "Which commercial radio station is launching a children's writing competition in their breakfast show to bring 50 kids to the Hay Festival [as Chris Evans has done]? We are doing standup comedy awards on Steve Wright's show, Simon Mayo's launched a book club in drivetime. I don't think there are any of those on [Global Radio's commercial network] Heart."

Radio consultant Matt Deegan tweets in response: "Dear Radio 2, any chance of trying to be a bit humble? Heart may not do books at Drive, but then it's not ad-free with a budget of £50m".

Bob says his budget is £52.5m, though (only ?) £19m is spent on content.(This may be the Guardian's figure - the BBC Accounts for 2009/10 show a £40m spend on content).  He's expecting to make cuts of 16% over the licence fee period (why not the 20% asked of other output departments ?).   Four of Radio 2's current playlist - CeLo Green, Alice Gold, Barry Manilow, and Rumer are in heavy rotation on Smooth; CeLo Green's oeuvre is on the Radio 1 B list.  Though it's true - nobody else seems to be playing Tim McGraw and Gwyneth Paltrow, if that can be counted as "leading taste".

Incoming BBC Trust Chairman, Lord Patten, told MPs last month that, while the BBC made great programmes, it sometimes conducted itself in front of other broadcasters with a "sort of swagger", which he would seek to change.

Bob Shennan c The Guardian