Trust Publishes BBC Radio Review

The BBC Trust has carried out a review examining the performance of Radio 2 and 6 Music - including usage, quality, distinctiveness and value for money.
The review concluded that Radio 2 was highly regarded by audiences but should use its scale to be more distinctive, while 6 Music was distinctive and well-liked by its listeners, but needed to reach a bigger audience.
Eight out of ten felt that Radio 2 offered something that could not be easily found elsewhere.
This finding was supported by analysis of Radio 2's output which found that, in a typical week, most tracks played were unique to the station. The Trust's review welcomed the lack of music overlap between Radio 2, Radio 1, 6 Music, and comparable commercial radio stations.
It concluded, however, that the station should become more distinctive by adopting a more ambitious approach to non-music content in peak time. Radio 2 should maintain this stability but also protect the interests of its older audiences - specifically doing more to target those over 65 years of age.
Over the last four years the 6 Music reach had grown faster than any other BBC digital radio-only service but this growth had been from a low base. Meaning the station is still only reaching one per cent of the adult population, compounded by low awareness, with just 20 per cent of the adult population aware that the station existed.
BBC Trustee David Liddiment, who led the review, said: "Radio 2 has a large audience who clearly love its output, but the review showed it must break out of the routine with its programming, in particular to be more distinctive during peak time.
"In contrast, 6 Music has a distinctive approach, but the review concluded that it needed to grow its audience base without losing its USP.
"We're aware of concerns about Radio 2 targeting a younger audience. The current average audience age of 50 is well within the station's target audience, but the Trust is clear that this must not fall any further, and we would like to see Radio 2 work on its appeal to over 65-year-olds."
(BMcN/BMcC)