New lamps for old

An additional cost of £10,000 p.a. is cheap to run any sort of radio station, and within the BBC, must be some sort of economic miracle. 

But that's part of the assertion that got BBC Radio Cymru 2 approved by Ofcom. Described as "A combination of presenter-led content and pre-recorded playlist shows. BBC Radio Cymru 2 would become an 18.5 hour a day radio station operating from 5.30am to midnight each day." - longer hours than most BBC Local Radio stations, cut back to save money for digital. 

Threaded through Ofcom's final determination - an element of raised eyebrows at the BBC idea that it might improve audience figures. "Our analysis indicated that the launch of BBC Radio Cymru 2 as an opt in 2018 did not materially increase the reach of BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio Cymru 2."

"We expect the service might draw most of its increased listenership from BBC Radio Cymru which has seen overall listening decline. Given this, we would not expect there to be a material increase in overall audience reach of the BBC’s Welsh-language radio stations".