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Someone at the BBC really doesn’t like Chris Evans
BBC News website story suggests Evans is a flop after Wogan - but he isn’t
In what looks like an extraordinary display of schadenfreude - a delight in the misfortune of others - the BBC News website has today posted a prominent story headlined 'Radio 2 host Chris Evans loses one million listeners'.
With the accompanying photo of the ginger-headed breakfast-time DJ captioned 'Evans took over BBC Radio 2's breakfast show from Terry Wogan at the beginning of 2010', the implication is clear - that Evans is a flop compared to his much-loved, long-serving predecessor, the master of Irish blarney, Sir Terry Wogan.
Yet closer inspection reveals this is not the case. Go beyond the headline, and it turns out that Evans has indeed lost a million listeners in the last quarter - but this is after having increased the audience by nearly 1.5m in the first quarter, after taking over from Sir Terry in January.
So, despite the loss, he's still ahead of Wogan, who was getting a weekly audience of 8.1 million when he bowed out at the end of last year, according to the industry Rajar figures at the time.
The new Rajar figures, released today, show Evans now commands a weekly audience of 8.48 million, down from last quarter's record 9.53 million to be sure - as Wogan might have said - but still well ahead of the Irishman's best figures.
The BBC News item is totally accurate on another matter: the audience for the digital station 6 Music has reached 1.19 million, double last year's figure. This was one of the stations the corporation planned to close, until the BBC Trust stepped in to save it. ·
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Lets see if they allow that truth to get posted....
I used to love Chris on Drivetime but now I miss his show in the mornings to listen to something more current affairs-ish. Shame, I think he was great in the evenings slot and it suited him best.
I enjoyed the style of Chris Evans' show when it was on in the early evening but I can't *stand* the chirpiness first thing in the morning. *Please* don't shout at me when I've just woken up dear! Might also be an idea to get rid of the *dreadful *"What are you doing for the first time today" slot. Trust me, I know that ever parent thinks their little darling is a radio star but I *really* don't want to listen to their lisping at 7.30a.m. Keep it for the grand parents via the camcorder & leave working people alone.
I am surprised anyone can listen to that childish idiot for two hours a day, he even nicked half hour of Sarah Kennady's show, although I dont suppose Sarah minds she probably gets a bit longer in bed. I have not listened to Chris Evans, I could'nt stand his previous childish programs and where I used to listen to Wogan I now listen to radio cambridge until this d...head has finished and a professional like Ken Bruce comes on at 9.30.
I have to say that I don't really dislike Chris, I just don't want that level of chirpyness at that time in the morning. I see many millions do and that's great for them. I liked Graham because he wasn't perfectly polished and a bit more laid back. I also liked Terry, even though I'm 43 and he was mainly talking to another generation. He managed to be as professional as Chris but make it sound easy and relaxed. It will be interesting to see the viewing figures in a years time. My prediction is that they will get even lower but level out at a respectable amount and maybe rise slowly again.
"Chris Evans has breathed new life into the breakfast show??
He's certainly blown new wind into it!
Excellent balanced article Jack. Evan's is ideal for the role and has turned the breakfast show into a contemporary 'fun listen' rather than a pompous out of date bore that it had been since the 70's. Once again we are misinformed and misdirected by the BBC.
In my humble opinion Chris Evans' show is the only daytime show worth listening to. He has a way of engaging the audience like no other. I have to totally disagree with Marc's post above. Listening to Graham Norton made me tune out, is constant 'errrs' and other throat noises makes his sentance unfathomable and, to use an expression in the article, his 'banter' is wholly centered around schadenfreude. We need more inivative presenters on british radio, sadly they broke the mould after Chris
The really relevant statistic is against the same quarter last year, and the years before that, as listening habits change by time of the year. Chris Evans is a great broadcaster, a real radio man who is not just famous for something else and now does a turn on the wireless!
I think Chris Evans has "Come of Age" as most of us do eventually. He is an excellent replacement for Terry and I can see why his audience is growing. If the programme has lost listeners at all I believe it may be down to the fact that Graham Norton was an "awful" replacement, I enjoy him on TV but thought he was hopeless on the Radio and I did in fact switch off when he took over.
I think Chris and the Team have the Right mix and I for One am really enjoying the show.
Chris Evans has breathed new life into the breakfast show after years of programming aimed at the over 70's - of course his audience figures are going to fluctuate and I agree he is a businessman but then who isn't these days. Chris Evans appeals to a very wide audience not just a niche of older people who write in using silly names. Long may he keep us all entertained on the radio and continue creating great programming.
Someone in Essex really doesn't like Chris either, me!
I used to be a big fan when he was doing his breakfast show on Virgin and TFI Friday on CH4. He was fresh and a little edgy.
Now he's seen 'the error of his ways' and become consciously family friendly. He comes over as a bit pompous and faking his enthusiasm for everything, all the time. It's just annoying! Deep down he's a businessman who does what it takes to be successful I think.
As for the viewing figures still being higher than when Terry was doing the show, just wait. A lot of new listeners gave Chris a chance to begin with, like me, but are now turning away. Probably the majority leaving are the TOGs, but that's a lot of people.
I think Graham Norton did a much better job whilst Chris was away.