Radio station that is music to our ears
I’M NOT surprised that digital station Boom Radio is coaxing older listeners away from BBC Radio 2, which is seeking a more youthful following. Boom has seen a 29 per cent rise in over-50s tuning into its shows in the past six months and one of its new listeners is me. It’s a breath of fresh air. The only time that I still listen to Radio 2 is Tony Blackburn’s show Sounds Of The 60s on Saturday mornings, Steve Wright’s Sunday Love Songs and The Michael Ball Show. I find that the rest of the time it’s catering for the younger generation. Radio 1 used to be the place to hear the latest pop music, but now it’s also played on BBC Radio 2. Boom is catering for a wider audience thanks to its presenters with calming voices, many of whom are veteran BBC DJs including David Hamilton, Judi Spiers and Kid Jensen. The BBC could learn something from Boom. After all, where are its rival listeners coming from?
MIKE JONES, South Witham, Lincs.
IT’S great news that Boom has seen a 29 per cent rise in its listening figures. It’s going from strength to strength because it’s the perfect radio station for baby boomers such as me. It plays fantastic music from the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s and its presenters know what they are talking about. For me, David Hamilton is a legend.
LYNDA BARNETT, Foxdale, Isle of Man.
IN THE 1960s, my generation felt let down by the middle-of-the-road music supplied by the BBC. We tuned into Radio Luxembourg until, what joy, the pirate radio ships started broadcasting. Now, when I want to hear classic pop music, perversely the BBC has decided it needs to relate to younger listeners. I’ve been left high and dry at both ends of my listening life.