Radio 5 Live should stand for quality... but they’re in danger of losing their audience
Programmes are called ‘shows’ now. Excuse me, but this is not music hall
MANY seasons ago I was privileged to attend a farewell lunch organised by the BBC at Portland Place to mark the retirement of Bryon Butler.
A Radio 2 commentator with a velvet voice and distinctive manner, Bryon was a real pro who commanded respect.
He spoke that day of the standards of BBC Sport. Years later I was at a similar leaving function for John Motson. In front of the Radio 5 Live hierarchy, John gave a few reflective anecdotes before concluding the BBC must never lower their standards.
That last remark has stayed with me, because it is becoming increasingly clear that in an attempt to appeal to a younger audience, the BBC sports department are failing in that.
I write as a long-time listener, admirer and contributor who started summarising games for them in the mid-1980s. Even as a youngster I was a fan, listening to the opening bars of the 5pm
Sports Report music with youthful excitement. I sat there and hung on every word.
Subsequently I have been lucky to work with many knowledgeable and fine broadcasters. Most were sports-mad and educated, having worked their way up the ladder, often from local radio. They were presenters and commentators who were married to their roles.
TalkSPORT have now come along and challenged the listening habits of some sports fans with phone-ins, soundbites and a specific and brilliant way of appealing to the avid young supporters, who are more interested in personalities and charismatic characters who often have knee-jerk views.
Social media has been a perfect vehicle for this kind of radio.
The BBC’s mistake has been to try to emulate this success by following the same path. A former BBC pundit — a player of some repute — said to me recently that the Beeb have ‘lost their identity’ as a serious sports programmer. He went on to say that some of the dumbing down has been an affront to people’s intelligence. Strong words, perhaps, but there has definitely been a shift.
For example, programmes are now called ‘ shows’. Excuse me, but this is not music hall. We have been led to believe this is what the public wants, but I am not so sure.
The sports public who listen to great programmes such as
Sportsweek on a Sunday — sadly no more — and the evening Radio 5 Live sports bulletin want to hear the issues, the debates and more depth behind the stories.
Instead, now we are hearing in- house jokey conversations where familiarity between the broadcasters can be a hard listen. Where is the respect? We have ‘Pougers’ — also on his way out — and ‘Chappers’ and ‘Fletch’. Perhaps I am too serious, but my generation valued respect.
I can remember Brian Clough chiding a friend of mine for calling him ‘ Cloughie’. He said, ‘ It is “Brian” or “Mister Clough” to you.’ To this day, I always address Sir Alex Ferguson as Sir Alex. I would not dream of calling him Fergie.
Diversity rules now, too. I am pleased that Eleanor Oldroyd has been retained. She is a really good journalist. But I don’t understand the modern BBC’s obsessive drive towards diversity.
I have always believed that if a person is good and works hard and has drive and ambition, they will achieve. The cream always rises. There should not be a question of prejudice on the grounds of race, sex or religion. But please employ people on their merits and nothing else.
I know that the BBC cannot stand still. I know they must find and encourage new listeners. But the younger audience 5 Live are chasing are not attentive when it comes to TV and radio. They are on their laptops or phones, watching clips of goals at the flick of a switch. Is that the BBC’s real audience? I don’t think so. It’s the older generation who have been raised on a diet of broadcast sport while listening to outstanding match reporting by Peter Jones, Bryon Butler, Ian Darke, Peter Brackley, Brian Moore and others. They could paint pictures.
I still enjoy Pat Murphy and the recently retired Mike Ingham was outstanding.
Loyal BBC listeners are at home, in hospital, driving cars or out walking. They want quality and they can still hear it through the excellent and devoted commentary from people such as John Murray and Ian Dennis.
But they are reporting to a dwindling audience. Mark Chapman, a broadcaster with a superbly wide range of sporting knowledge, would appear to have no choice but to go along with the in-jokes and excess familiarity. Over the years, I have spoken many times to sensible and serious commentators and analysts — such as Jimmy Armfield and Graham Taylor, sadly both no longer with us. They had done their miles and more in the game.
They knew the problems of football management, for example, and were dismissive of some of the knee-jerk views being expressed by ex-players who had none of the longevity or knowledge built up by coaches and managers.
Jimmy and Graham did not need to project themselves or create an image. Their reputation went before them. They knew the game from all angles.
Football is a game of opinions and in the early years of the 606 phone-in, the likes of David Mellor — a Chelsea fan — and Tottenham supporter Richard Littlejohn occupied the chair. Suddenly the ‘sack the manager’ brigade had their platform, even if they had not watched the game.
Littlejohn had a decent manner but it was Jimmy Hill who gave real credibility and expertise to the role, simply because he could use his experience to balance out the views of the agitators.
Next came the acerbic, confident Alan Green, who seemed to have an agenda against referees and certain managers. Much of it was not well received in the game.
Now I wonder where a station such as 5 Live is going and I ask: is it too late to re- establish what once made it such a great listen?
The recent and impending departures of fine pros Garry Richardson, Cornelius Lysaght, Jonathan Overend, Jonathan Legard and Mark Pougatch are startling.
They cannot be replaced easily. Listeners associated with them, serious journalists who asked the right questions.
There is no substitute for experience and quality. In seeking a younger audience, the BBC are in danger of prompting their existing one to turn the dial.
Have they lowered standards and misjudged the mood? They should have listened to John Motson.
We’re told that in-jokes and over-familiarity are what the public want but I’m not so sure