CHANGES LOOMING FOR CBC RADIO Guy Dixon – Globe and Mail CBC Radio Two will be playing more jazz and contemporary music, while Radio One is beefing up its arts programming.
Those are some of the changes said to be in the works at the two national networks, as the CBC continues to revamp its radio programming.
A detailed announcement to CBC staff about the programming changes is scheduled. Most of the changes are said to concern Radio Two.
According to insiders, the broad plan is to create even more of a distinction between the two networks in the minds of listeners, with Radio Two as the home for the CBC's music programs and Radio One primarily as the place for news and talk.
That's not to say Radio One won't have any music, one source said. But the idea is to create that clearer distinction.
Rumours of a Radio Two revamp have percolated for months, especially after Radio One's lineup was adjusted in late 2005. The latest round of changes are seen as a continuation of that process.
However, the obvious question is what this means for Radio One's music shows.
The new emphasis at Radio One in late 2005 was on introducing more programming -- such as the music and pop-culture chat show Freestyle -- that audiences might listen to at work or during their busy afternoons.
There was no confirmation from the CBC yesterday about the fate of Freestyle or other Radio One shows, other than an indication that Radio Two's changes may have a knock-on effect at Radio One.
Also, word with CBC Radio is that the programming changes won't take place for another two months or so.
Radio Two won't lose its emphasis on classical programming, insiders say. But there will probably be a broader feel to its range of music, which will include more jazz.
Yet the network is already more varied than some may think. For instance, it plays jazz on the program Jazz Beat on Sunday evenings, as well as rock and new music on the acclaimed Radio 3 show Saturday nights and world music on Roots and Wings on Sunday afternoons.
For many months, management has been asking staff for radio-programming and pilot ideas, and the CBC has had a formalized evaluation process in place, judging the pilot programs. |