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Original poster

If you can't abide John Humphrys or Nicky Campbell...?

46 replies

Sproutingcorm · 05/02/2019 08:37

Any alternative suggestions please?

Martha and Nick are ok, but having listened for years, I now find Radio 4's Today programme ponderous and irritating. As for John Humphreys, I switch off as soon as I hear his voice.

I like Radio 5 Live's early business coverage (especially Rico!) but I am not devoted to sport or Nicky Campbell.

Where do I go now? Has to be accessible via Internet Radio in Europe Zone One.

OP posts:
borntobequiet · 05/02/2019 08:41

No solutions, sorry, but I also switch off when I hear JH. When he’s presenting, I learn to appreciate silence. Also not listening to news improves my wellbeing.

Original poster
Sproutingcorm · 05/02/2019 08:49

I honestly don't know anyone among my friends who doesn't switch off when JH comes on now so we are not alone borntobequiet! I find him dreadfully boorish.

I would also appreciate silence in the morning but there is a noisy three hour slot in my household between 6 and 9 am (DH business and home very close together) when I prefer to plug in and tune out and get on with my chores! The radio helps with that!

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Boiledeggandtoast · 05/02/2019 08:50

The World Service. Far less parochial with much better international news and some really interesting other programmes.

SlightAggrandising · 05/02/2019 08:50

World service

Original poster
Sproutingcorm · 05/02/2019 08:54

Thank you Slightaggrandising and Boiledeggandtoast stupidly I hadn't thought to try that. I often listen to the WS for 20 mins at 3am when the dog has woken me up, but somehow it hasn't occurred to me to tune in in the mornings!

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borntobequiet · 05/02/2019 08:59

Oh yes agree World Service! Sorry!

Original poster
Sproutingcorm · 05/02/2019 09:05

Thank you, we have a consensus! Smile

I'm definitely going to try the WS, but does anyone have any other suggestions just out of interest?

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HeronLanyon · 05/02/2019 09:06

I have really disliked jh for many many years. Can’t abide him. Haven’t listened to today for decades solely because of him.

Used to feel a bit that way about nc but have come to respect him - think to do with ‘long lost family’, his vocal respect and love of environment and animals, etc. Come to think he’s more interesting and ‘complex’ than I had realised.

HeronLanyon · 05/02/2019 09:08

I’ve been searching for radio feed of bbc news 24 tv channel. Mystifying it doesn’t seem to exist (or does it ?) American friend recently told me they can get it in us via web or international radio app but I think he may have been thinking of world service ??

Original poster
Sproutingcorm · 05/02/2019 09:15

Yes HeronLanyon if I had to choose between the two, then I much prefer NC. He seems professional (and he likes dogs which is a bonus!) but I am not as interested in the content ifyswim and find the format of the show a bit too vox pop and focused on sport. The female presenters seem very competent but I can't distinguish between them. And later on in the morning, although I know it takes skill to facilitate them, I can't stand phone-ins!

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Original poster
Sproutingcorm · 05/02/2019 09:17

Oh I haven't heard of BBC news 24, will have a look, thanks!

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Original poster
Sproutingcorm · 05/02/2019 09:22

I listen to Fi and Jane's 'Fortunately' podcast on Fridays, and they keep mentioning a radio station they listen to in the mornings. Would it be LBC or something similar? Not sure? LW something? Don't know if I can access those via Internet Radio or not (not too up with the technology either!)

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HeronLanyon · 05/02/2019 09:38

Have bbc news 24 tv on a lot. Is on freebiew and sky (503). Some insert profs are really great like ‘click’ technology review - ‘open source’ really great broad overview of news - ‘film review’ - ‘travel’. 30 min inserts in otherwise 24 hour news.

Original poster
Sproutingcorm · 05/02/2019 09:43

I have a satellite TV so will have a look to see if I have it. Thanks again Heron! It sounds interesting! Tbh though, the radio suits me better because I am constantly on the move and don't really like watching TV during the day.

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HeronLanyon · 05/02/2019 18:06

At the risk of coming across all techie I either link my iPhone (via Bluetooth to tv and just listen that way) or I have a very old fm plug in transmitter thing which I can plug into tv headphone jack and listen to the tv on a very old fashioned mini portable radio with headphones). Grin my version of bbc news 24 radio. Do have to run In and watch every now and then. I do actually have a full time job so this is weekend / cleaning type listening.

HeronLanyon · 05/02/2019 18:10

Yes finand jane mention lbc quite a bit. Most TVs also have radio stations if you search around in the menu. Your menu ornstation guide will also show you where bbc 24 is. On some freeview setups it is around channel 223/233? or similar. Mine just has blue screen if I play radio stations.

Original poster
Sproutingcorm · 05/02/2019 19:07

Wow Heron that is fantastically helpful thank you so much! And thank you for lbc steer! Sorry to be so thick and un-techie! Blush Will try all of that out!

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MillytantForceit · 05/02/2019 20:13

World service in the mornings is rather Africa-centric, a big audience for them.

NPR:

nprdmp-live01-mp3.akacast.akamaistream.net/7/998/364916/v1/npr.akacast.akamaistream.net/nprdmp_live01_mp3

SamSpade · 05/02/2019 20:18

Lauren Lavern on radio 6 music.

Original poster
Sproutingcorm · 05/02/2019 23:53

Thanks Samspade will give it a go but suspect I might be a bit too old!

Will try WS too thanks Millytant and see how it goes!

Going to try LBC too if I can tune in.

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Original poster
Sproutingcorm · 06/02/2019 07:30

One can only hope Borntobequiet!

I hope that won't give him free rein to appear on yet more BBC programmes though. Watching him attempt "casual chat" with Mastermind contestants is toe curling enough!

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FancyForgetting · 06/02/2019 07:59

That Independent article has made my day - although it doesn’t sound certain enough for my liking!

Agree that World Service is always a good alternative and Good Morning Scotland on BBC Radio Scotland is not as parochial as the name might suggest and gives a rare non London-centric perspective.

Apart from the obvious, I personally resent Humphrys for the fact that all my morning timings are worked to the various features on the Today programme so, if he forces me to turn over, it inconveniences/confuses me and makes not a jot of difference to him!

Original poster
Sproutingcorm · 06/02/2019 08:22

Grin Fancy forgetting

And thank you, adding BBC Radio Scotland to my list!

OP posts:
lljkk · 06/02/2019 08:37

You could try local radio, if there is local BBC in your area or even (gasp) local music stations. Radio 2 does news bulletins, even R1 does.

Is JH the reason why TodayProgramme still has Prayer for the day & (religious theme) Thought for the day? I loathe the Daily Puzzle even more than those features, tbh. Today's producers appear to be dinosaurs.

I recall Today programme insisting that they had no female presenters b/c "None of the women are good enough." FFS. I wonder what miracles happened to the female talent on offer? Pfffft.

Do we nominate a replacement for JH's spot? Ritulah Shah or Raziah Iqbal? And I can hope for Anita Arnand in future (love that woman; my spellings all wrong, I know).

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