BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 04 Feb 11 - 11:34 AM

"On Monday 7 February, for the first time, the Folk Awards will be broadcast live on Radio 2 following a special edition of Simon Mayo's Drivetime which will also be broadcast live from the event from 1700 - 1945.

From 1945 - 2200 you can listen live to the Folk Awards ceremony as it happens or watch the whole event online or on digital TV by pressing the Red Button. Video highlights will also be available here and via the Red Button the following day."

At a national level, the BBC obviously considers that there is an audience for folk music, and folk dance too. There is a different opinion at local level. Stuart Thomas, Head of Regional and Local Programmes, BBC East Midlands, wrote to me to say;

"We feel we now need to provide a programme that appeals to a wider number of licence fee payers in the East Midlands, especially as there are no longer any local or regional programmes available on commercial radio in the evenings...

While I know some of these programmes also had a healthy following with listeners like yourself on the internet, my first responsibility has to be to the majority of licence fee payers in the East Midlands, and it was with them in mind that we are making this change."

I am sure he will be willing to announce the number of listeners attracted by the new programme to demonstrate that he was right.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 04 Feb 11 - 04:53 AM

Hi Padgett. Hadn't heard about the Red Button bit....? Didn't think TV were covering it at all. That hasn't happened for years! I don't think the Beeb would spend money on the Folk Awards.
Surely they'd rather spend money on Strictly....etc...etc...
Anyway, If it's true, I'll do an I Player next day, as I will be standing outside the venue on Monday!

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 04 Feb 11 - 03:53 AM

If I have this right its on the telly red button BBC from 5pm onwards on Monday!

Simon Mayo folloed by Mike Harding, should be interesting

Ray

Subject: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 04 Feb 11 - 02:48 AM

Just a little reminder that the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards is happening Live on Monday evening 7th Feb.
The save Folkwaves campaign (against the abolition of Mick Peat and Lester Simpsons long running programme in the East Midlands) will be there to petition the great and the good! Oh, and maybe play some tunes and sing some songs!
The venue is
The Brewery
Chiswell Street London
EC1Y 4SD
(nearest tube Moorgate.)
It would be lovely to see people there.
The irony is that Lester Simpson, sacked two months ago, is up for an award with Coope Boyes and Simpson! And will be performing live on the Simon Mayo programme, also from the same venue! just before the award ceremony...
Also, there will be our friends from the campaign on Radio London to re-instate "A World In London" dedicated to the myriad musics in our Capital city...(DJ Ritu took over the programme after the untimely demise of Charlie Gillett, and has been replaced by 2 X Factor wannabees who don't even live in London!)
So, come one, come all, bring voices, and instruments.
Hope it doesn't rain too much though!