BFBS Radio 2, the British Forces broadcaster that is a lifeline for thousands of expats, is changing. From Monday, the station is bringing its listeners a daily diet of news and Service topics, together with a mix of music and sport.
Richard Hutchinson, BFBS Radio 2 Programme Director, told the Sunday Mail:
“We’re launching with a new look, sound and feel. The station’s news output is available throughout the day, with BBC Radio 4’s PM programme (broadcast at 7pm Cyprus time) being the major news programme of the day, with BBC Radio 5 Live programming essential to what we do.”
When asked why the station has undergone the revamp, he said it was, “as a result of ongoing Forces research.”
The BFBS website says: “We’ve asked you what you want from your favourite radio station…and we’ve listened, so why not listen to us.”
The new line-up is not without its casualties though. Long-running drama series, The Archers is now only available on a special Sunday omnibus edition (12pm), replacing the daily broadcast. Details of how Ambridge addicts can access the show online are available at www.bfbs.com/listen. “Every fan can now listen to the programme at their own convenience with the site also providing a daily synopsis of individual episodes,” Hutchinson said.
After Nigel Rennie’s Breakfast show in Cyprus, BFBS Radio 2 will deliver up-to-the minute news and analysis with BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme, followed by a brand new line-up.
First up, between 11am and 1pm is a familiar BFBS Radio voice, Richard Allinson, live on air every weekday with a programme packed with the latest from the music scene.
From 1pm to 4pm, fresh from BFBS Radio 1, Hermina Graham provides a mixture of chat and celebrity guests with a firm emphasis on fun and entertainment.
According to a press release, “the stories that matter to you are a BFBS Radio 2 essential ingredient. The Glen Mansell Show, with its top team of journalists, analysts and those in the know, bring you the stories as they happen. Glen will react to Forces’ news stories with his unique inside perspective and react to breaking world news from 4pm to 7pm, Monday to Friday.”
For classic and long-forgotten music, fans will be able to tune into Dave Windsor’s Gold every weeknight at 8pm for an hour of nostalgia. However, this will be replacing the much-loved chimes of Big Ben that introduce the Six O’Clock News from BBC Radio 4.
Sporting action rounds off the day from 9pm, courtesy of Sport On Five, bringing the best of British and international sport from the BBC’s top team of commentators.
“You’ll also be able to hear all your BFBS Radio 2 favourite specialist programmes such as The Classic Rockshow, Raven & The Blues, Rockola, Nigel Rennie Country G3 and Multimedia – at the times you’ve said you’d like to listen to them,” the press release added. Full listings will be available at www.bfbs.com.
An online service promises to be as complete as possible. Main output will be fed live to the web and the Listen Again service will allow people to listen whenever they want to.
BFBS Radio 2 favourite, Richard Astbury returns on Saturday and Sunday mornings from 7am, with the Classic Weekend Breakfast show and Nick Bailey continuing the classical theme each Sunday evening from 9pm.
n BFBS Radio 2 is broadcast on 91.7FM in Nicosia, 95.3FM in the ESBA and 89.9FM in the WSBA.
