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A proposed Radio 2 spin-off station has been treated as the “final nail in the coffin” as its commercial rivals' viewing figures soar.
The station's weekly audience fell by more than 150,000 from July to September compared to the same period last year. BBC presenters.
In February, the BBC revealed plans for a new “pop nostalgia” spin-off station, focusing on music from the 1950s, '60s and '70s.
But Ofcom halted its rollout in the summer, prompting the corporation to launch a full public interest review.
Ofcom's report said: “The introduction of the Radio 2 extension will have an adverse impact on competition by reducing listening and revenue.”
Greatest Hits Radio has poached three Radio 2 presenters including Ken Bruce, 73, pictured
In 2020, Simon Mayo, 65, joined Greatest Hits Radio after 17 years at the BBC, presenting the now popular album show every Sunday at 1pm and returning to daily radio and The Simon Mayo Drivetime Show in March 2021.
In February, the BBC revealed plans for a new 'Pop Nostalgia' spin-off station.
The BBC's decision on whether it wants to continue with the new digital-only service is expected when the corporation's proof of interest is published next month.
Boom Radio – a station that successfully attracted disgruntled Radio 2 listeners and whose presenters include 86-year-old DJ David Hamilton – grew its audience by six per cent year-on-year to 700,000 weekly listeners.
Phil Riley, co-founder of Boom, said: “Knowing that there is a successful and fast-growing radio station out there, it is baffling to think that BBC bosses are still spending millions of pounds of public money to launch a radio station aimed at you drink”. boomers. The commercial broadcaster already provided the same service and covered the BBC's financial deficit almost daily in the press.
'Bright people for the boom should be the final nail in the coffin of the BBC's plans.
“Advance will be a saboteur project designed effectively to destroy Boom Radio.”
Greatest Hits Radio is another station competing for older listeners.
Radio 2 has poached three presenters: Ken Bruce, 73, Simon Mayo, 66, and Paul Campacini, 75.
Listening figures released yesterday by RAJAR showed a 13 per cent increase in the station's audience from 6.66 million to 7.54 million over the 2023 report covering the same period last year.
Radio 2's decline comes amid claims that it has abandoned its core older listeners in an effort to win over a younger audience, and continued speculation that Greatest Hits Radio and Boom are being driven by disgruntled former fans. from the BBC station.
