To think that Radio 2 isn't really demonstrating gender equality?

[tiddlersuan]

First time poster but long time lurker (well since the 2am feeds started with DD at any rate which is when I mostly read the aibu posts)...just a thought that has been crossing my mind of late since being on mat leave and listening to radio 2 for large portions of the day; given the current dialogue about gender inequality be it pay or lack of women in top jobs etc, aibu to think that Radio 2 is pretty appalling given that of it's five main 'prime time' daytime shows they are all male presenters who have been in posts for years now?
I appreciate they all have followings of (potentially) different demographics and I myself like listening to two shows in particular, but to be honest I am pretty bored with some of the presenters and find the likes of Sarah Cox, Jo Whiley, Fearne Cotton, Zoe Ball and Liza Tarbuck both refreshing and entertaining (and yes I know that four out of these five have their own shows but they are either once a week on a Saturday or late evening/night time).
I'm not saying that the male presenters aren't any good at their jobs, but these women are just as good (if not better impo) and yet from 6:30am-7pm there are no female presenters .
Just wondered if this had crossed anyone elses minds or if I simply have too much thinking time on my hands atm...

God no re Bruce being the new Wogan,he doesn't have his wit,charm or appealing voice. The new Wogan speaks volumes as if he's earnt the right to bore us all silly because he's male and been on air for so long. Longetivity surely doesn't give you the automatic right to stay. How many female presenters are given the same privilege.

And re Steve Wright yes I can remember trying to record his show on an old cassette player in the 80s as a teen. 35 years later I have grown up and the world has moved on. Why am I still being subjected to the same old 80s tenn shite on prime time radio 2.

Try Lauren Laverne on Bbc6 music, 10-1 weekdays. She's got just the right balance between music nerd and jolly chat

Will give it a try Nom.

Seriously are the BBC telling me that with the oddles of cash they're paying the likes of Vine et al Ken Bruce and Steve Wright are all they can entertain us with during prime time radio hours and there are no women equal to the job?

Toomany He's nowhere near Wogan in quality of course, there was only one Togmeister. But I do really like Ken's voice and he's the only male Radio 2 DJ I will listen to.

I like Jo Whiley, Zoe Ball, Liza Tarbuck and Sara Cox, but not Ferne Cotton.

My problem with radio 2 is it doesn't seem to know what demographic it is aiming at. I feel it should be aimed at my generation (ie. older than Radio 1's target audience), but it didn't change with the times as we got older, so Terry Wogan stayed forever and so has Ken Bruce.

At weekends some of the presenters such as Dermot and Zoe are great, but who the hell under the age of 70 wants to listen to Elaine Paige or Len Goodman? I know I am well past Radio 1's target, but I there is nowhere to naturally move on to.

Lauren Laverne made me cry on Valentine's Day. Her Memory Tape section was about a young woman and her elderly friend who had recently passed away. I was so moved by it.

I'm under 70 and love to listen to Elaine Paige. Love a bit of musical theatre.

And how can pop master be shut?

Shit, even bloody auto correct

They need to pension Steve Wright off, he makes my skin crawl... I can just about tolerate Simon Mayo and I'm looking forward to Jo Whiley joining him. Agree with lots of PPs, ditch Chris Evans and give Sara Cox the job. Regularly listen to Liza - love how quirky she is! Vanessa is ok - can take or leave her (she's great craic on a night out though!!! We have a mutual friend)

I agree OP; Radio 2 primetime isn't just skewed towards male presenters, it is made up entirely of male presenters. Obviously this will change when Jo Whiley joins Simon Mayo on the drive time show, but I cannot see how that will work...

My ideal line-up would be
Breakfast: Sara Cox, she's so much better than Chris Evans
9:30-12: Ken Bruce, do NOT touch Popmaster!
12-2: Jeremy Vine.
2-5pm: Please, no more Steve - I'd like to see Lauren Laverne come over from 6 Music.
Drive Time: Simon & Jo, I will reserve judgement until I've heard them together.

I'll let you have Ken Bruce if you swop Vine with Feltz or at least let them split the week. I like Feltz and prefer her to Vine,her intelligence shines through,Vine is no better.

Hope Mayo keeps Confessions,Homework Sucks, Book Club and of course the Brucie Bonus.

I'm under 70 and love to listen to Elaine Paige. Love a bit of musical theatre.

Oddly i love the music and have been a huge Elaine Page fan since the 80's but I literally hate her on the radio. She is awful.

This disappoints me massively

I much prefer Sara cox doing the breakfast shows (less matey backslapping between presenter and guests) and I really quite enjoy Jo Wiley but don’t get the opportunity to hear her in the evenings. I loved her radio1 morning show but I understand the difficulty of putting someone with a gatekeeper profile into a daytime slot such as Steve Wright who really ought to FTFO.

Steve Wright could be replaced by a potato boiling and it would be more entertaining.

I have a soft spot for Ken Bruce as he does remind me slightly of Wogan.

I despise Vanessa when she takes over from Vine. I can see Vine’s talent when juggling opposing views and rarely does he let on his own opinion but Venessa seems to be quoting directly from mein kapmf with her presenting which is usually only on daily mail style topics. Absolutely awful woman.

There is a age gap in demographic coverage with bbc radio. Radio 1 covers 15-30 but radio 2 seems to be aimed at the 45+ 6music is for beard strokers but I’d say, while good isn’t really a pop music station. I actually believe the addition of 40something women would do a lot for the younger demographic

I like Vanessa Feltz. Sometimes she gets a bit excited and she starts shouting in a shrill way but when she reins it in she is an intelligent and perceptive broadcaster. Her command of the English language is second to none. She puts in a long shift - does the early morning show on R2, then a three hour talk in show on Radio London, and covers for Vine. I listen to her on Radio London, and I learn at least one new word a day from her!

The other day a colleague mentioned that she loved Wright - she liked the way he interrupted the songs with his singing. I used to hold her in high regard until she made that comment! As for Serious Jockin - purlease. I really don't understand Evans appeal. Does he get millions of viewers?

I don't mind Trevor Nelson. Sometimes other celebs are tried out with mixed success - their was the gruesome twosome of Fearne Cotton and Martin Kemp when they covered for Norton over a summer. Dearie me. John Bishop also did it - he does not have a voice for radio. Craig Charles plays some great music but can be verbose. Vine is very excitable and surprisingly silly for someone with his journalistic credentials.

Viewers?? Meant listeners. He has a face for radio!

Craig Charles!! Omg I hate it when he's on the radio!!! It's an immediate off from me. Add to that Liza tarbuck because she sounds weird and Elaine Page and her awful laugh. Awful!

The only woman I like out of that list is Zoe Ball. The others are dreadful.

But Steve Wright can go definitely. And all the ‘sports guys’ and Vasos.

Thank god for Lynne Bowles. Give her a show.

Very late to thread, but listening to R2 now, so....

Needs more Sara Cox, Vanessa Feltz and Zoe Ball- Fearne, not so much.

As for having Simon Mayo being landed with Jo Wiley- why? I still miss Simon, Sybil and Rod doing the breakfast show on R1 Simon Mayo’s a brilliant broadcaster, he shouldn’t have to share with anyone as smug and annoying as Jo Wiley

Sarah cox is funny. Not keen on the rest. I'd rather have a good presenter of either gender than a woman for the sake of it.

I used to love Sarah Kennedy's early morning show. It always made my commute more bearable. Ken Bruce is very likeable. I am so good at Popmaster and hate it when Fearne takes over. She doesn't have a good radio voice.

Craig Charles gets a big thumbs down from me. Just don't like his voice.

I don't care whether the presenters are male or female tbh but all the women you've listed are imo awful.
I don't like all their male djs either - Ken Bruce and Steve Wright I have to switch over immediately or I start throwing things at the radio.

I love Vanessa Feltz - she's on the early show, before Chris Evans. I think she is genuine, funny, warm, gorgeous voice.

If they made the slots 2 hours they could inject more variety.

I would:
-keep Vanessa 5-7
-replace Evans and move him to Mayos slot 7-9
-leave Ken, Popmaster and Tracks of my years well alone 9-11
-rotating presenters on the Vine spot 11-1
-kill off Steve Wright, put Sarah Cox in there 1-3
-new show with Evans 4-6
-new show with Mayo 6-8

No keep Mayo same time. Drive Time is Simon Mayo,love hearing him finding out what everybody is up to. Don't know how he does it but he makes people travelling in their cars interesting and just makes you want to enjoy your evening.

Can we not slash Ken's hours even slightly.🙏