If you're a Radio 4 native but can't stand the current Today presenters ...

[quitethenight]

... have you found an alternative breakfast news programme that you prefer?

I grew up with the Today programme on in the kitchen every school day morning and have woken up to it almost every working day of my adult life. But I don't like the current presenters and now get frustrated listening to it. Where do I go from here?

I gave up on Today when Jack de Manio left.

Yes to Times Radio but good grief those Viking cruise ads are dreadful. The latest one is a pompous bloke who sounds pissed or drugged, just drawling his way through a script so bad that I thought it was a skit the first time I heard it. The 'bubbly' woman who sounds like Dolores Umbridge is nearly as bad, I'd rather holiday in a war zone than risk being stuck on a cruise with people who hear those adverts and think "ooh that sounds like my cup of tea"

“Land of the Niger.”

Mispronounced.

Listen to a podcast, same as you have to when the archers is on.

Yes, the woman who is overly posh and drags her words out....who thought that would tempt customers?!

That's my only moan about Times Radio though. My moans about Radio 4 got ever longer.

I really like that they have Fi and Jane, and Libby Purves etc

Times radio here. They have an excellent roster of journalists available, and they actually let their interviewees speak, instead of asking them long-winded questions that have a clear agenda.

Agree with a PP that Matt Chorley is great, he moved from Times Radio to Radio 5 Live.

Amol Rajan has a multicultural london accent. It reflects his background.

Except for the word 'a'. He always pronounces it as 'ay' to rhyme with hay, which I suppose isn't wrong but it irritates me.

One of the first non-family names I think I ever heard from my parents! I’ve listened since the early 1960’s, and remember being very annoyed when I had to miss Brian Redhead’s leaving day because of some non-optional surgery.

I can’t imagine not turning it on, but those of you who’ve given up on it would honestly be shocked at the three hour adverts for each presenter’s podcast. It’s way beyond shameful.

I've been somewhat less keen about the Today programme of late but was very cheered to hear about the departure of Amol Rajan.

I don’t think I could leave the Today programme it’s such an ingrained habit it’s comforting, and has been one of the things I’ve missed most in periods of living abroad. But I don’t dislike the current presenters so I’m ok for a while!

Five Live maybe? Seems a bit less focussed on sport now than it used to be.

Or Times, or LBC.

I flit between Today and Times Radio. DH hates controversial talk in the morning and prefers (saccharine) classical music, so I wait until he goes in the shower to listen to anything in the kitchen.

I prefer R4 schedule in the morning usually, but turn it off after lunchtime news until PM at 5.

Times Radio have got better very fast, and made a very strong start. I also like John Pienaar on Drive and there are some excellent podcasts too.

Here's my listening day:

When I get up -> 2pm - Times Radio
2pm - The Archers, R4
2.15pm -> 4pm - Matt Chorley on Five Live
4pm -> 5pm - John Pienaar on Times Radio
5pm onwards - Radio 4

Yes, I'm a news/ politics junkie 😆

I've been somewhat less keen about the Today programme of late but was very cheered to hear about the departure of Amol Rajan.
Same here. I can't imagine not listening to it but I can't stand the trailers for podcasts etc.

Always found Today too aggressive for first thing in the morning but I might give Times radio a go after seeing people recommend it

Is it weird that I’ve always found the 8.am combat entirely natural?

It's when I'm gearing up for the day ahead. It's my version of having Eye of the Tiger playing in a loop.

I’ve always enjoyed the today program as a wake up listen but I don’t like this new format where they have a theme and focus on it throughout.

Classism klaxon

The World Service! Good presenters, gives you a wider perspective.

Everyone always wants the BBC to reflect the nation until it reflects a part of it they have an unconscious bias against, hey?

some of the comments on this thread are quite remarkable

Think this is a response to podcast culture - everyone likes a deep dive these days. But I agree: short and punchy is fine in the morning. I prefer a daily digest

I'm not keen on Emma Barnett tbh

i dont mind amol but dont like him when he’s on with EB.

I like Anna Foster and Justin Webb

Yes listening now I don’t want a half hour discussion on smart phone use - I want short bits of news. And I don’t want all the listener interaction or the plugs for Radical or this ‘babies of Today’ - it’s becoming an entertainment program rather than news!

I do listen to world service but it’s only an hour