Ken Bruce has recently shared his concerns about the future of the BBC, a year and a half after his departure from the corporation.
The 73-year-old broadcaster left the BBC in April 2023 to join Greatest Hits Radio, a move that saw many of his loyal fans follow him to the new station.
Since his switch, Greatest Hits Radio has experienced a significant audience increase, jumping from 5.8 million to 7.5 million listeners.
The Decision to Move
Reflecting on his decision to leave, Bruce mentioned that he felt it was simply “time for a change.”
He had planned to leave on his own terms, but was asked to leave before his contract ended, which he found to be “petty” and “disrespectful.”
Bruce, who had spent 31 years presenting his mid-morning show at the BBC, described the process as frustrating.
Concerns About BBC’s Direction
In an interview with the Sunday Times, Bruce expressed worry about the BBC’s ability to adapt and evolve.
He compared the organization to a “supertanker” that is slow to change and stressed the need for visionaries to guide it in the right direction.
Bruce pointed out that commercial radio is thriving and growing, while the BBC’s Radio 2 schedule faces challenges in reinventing itself.
Critique of BBC’s Decisions
During the interview, Bruce also criticized the BBC’s decision-making process, specifically highlighting the move that shuffled him from his mid-morning show to a late-night slot.
He described this change as “political” and questioned the rationale behind it.
Bruce had originally moved to mid-mornings in 1986, briefly switched to late nights in 1990, and then returned to mid-mornings in 1992, where he stayed until his departure in 2023.
Greatest Hits Radio’s History
Greatest Hits Radio has a history of attracting well-known BBC Radio 2 staff.
In 2020, Simon Mayo, who had been with BBC Radio 2 for 17 years, joined the station to host his popular Album Show.
Mayo also returned to daily radio with The Simon Mayo Drivetime Show in March 2021.
Bruce’s Thoughts on the Licence Fee
Bruce also weighed in on the BBC licence fee, which he believes still works but needs more robust defense.
He noted that there seems to be a lack of strong advocates for the model.
Additionally, he shared some advice with the next generation of radio presenters, emphasizing that making a memorable impression doesn’t always require a lot of talking—sometimes, a few well-chosen words or a single sentence can be just as effective.
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