Questions I put to owners
Through the Bauer press office, I first asked if I could interview a member of the management about the ‘Wave 105 is changing’ announcement.
Their reply? “I’m afraid there’s no opportunity to interview/ask questions of the management team at this time.”
Fair enough – it’s often the way with these things. It’s partly why they have press offices. So I submitted my questions in writing in the hope that someone at Bauer might answer them.
These were my questions: 1. Why are you (effectively) closing down Wave 105, one of the most successful local stations in the Bauer empire?
2. What is the business/ commercial case for this presumably you have done an estimate of how many current 105.2FM / Wave listeners will no longer listen, balanced against the numbers you aim to add to those listening to Greatest Hits Radio?
3. Did Bauer consider consulting listeners before making the decision?
4. Did Bauer consult with any or all of Wave 105's advertisers and sponsors before making this decision?
5. How much notice were presenters and other staff at Wave 105 given before the decision was made and before the announcement was made?
6 .You say in your 'Wave 105 is changing' message that appeared on social media and on the Wave website you want to enable more people to listen to Greatest Hits Radio on FM. But across the Wave 105 area, people used to be able to do that - on 106.0
FM; in fact that outlet was probably responsible for many people in this area discovering GHR. Then (without any warning or explanation) it was replaced by something called Nation Radio on 106 - why was
that? Was it not important to get more FM listeners on to GHR's numbers at that point? And why cannot GHR South Coast not now go back on to 106.0 FM, which would meet your aim of putting GHR on FM while protecting Wave?
7 You also say in the announcement that many local elements currently enjoyed by Wave 105 listeners will still be there. With this pledge in mind, can you say how many Wave 105 staff - contracted or freelance - in addition to Rick Jackson and Mark Collins will have jobs in the Greatest Hits Radio set-up? 8 Other than the Monday to Friday Rick Jackson and Mark Collins shows, which would appear to take up less than 25% of total weekly air time between them, will any other Wave presenters, shows or show features survive?
9 How local will the news and travel news be on GHR South Coast? At present the news on 105.2 comes direct from Wave's studio and its news team from first thing to 7pm Monday to Friday and from first thing to 1pm at weekends, while travel is local, from local experienced travel operators, from first thing to 7pm Monday to Friday? Will this same level of local service continue?
10 Is there a concern the money raised annually by the Wave 105 arm of Cash for Kids will plummet substantially if there are fewer listeners, and far fewer local presenters and shows promoting the local Cash for Kids schemes? I hoped for answers but again was out of luck.
The only reply: “As previously discussed we can’t provide anyone for an interview at this time and therefore we won’t be able to answer the questions you supplied either.”
Very, very disappointing. And you wonder why they won’t even try to explain some of that away.
All Bauer could do was refer me to their original press release about the changes and to a website page.