BBC Radio 2 has announced several changes to its schedule from Spring 2018. The revised schedule includes new programmes and series, as well as changes to existing specialist music programming.
Simon Mayo and Jo Whiley will present the new ‘early evening show’ from 5pm to 8pm on weekdays. Although the programme is an hour longer than the current drivetime, Friday will remain All Request Friday from 5pm-7pm. Tony Blackburn will still present The Golden Hour on Friday from 7pm-8pm.
Simon says: “Although we’ve known each other for over 20 years, we’ve never presented a show together. And given that Jo is quite brilliant, it’s high-time we put that right.”
Jo says: “What a thrill to be working with Simon on this exciting new show. It’s going to be great fun and listeners can look forward to some incredible music and chat, as well as being introduced to some fantastic new talent along the way. Cannot wait!”
Sara Cox will move from Sounds Of The 80s to a new weeknight show from 10pm. The network says the Monday to Thursday show will feature “an upbeat playlist, with the great and the good from the world of theatre, music and film popping in.”
The new programmes will begin on Monday, 14th May.
Sounds Of The 80s will remain on Friday nights from 10pm with new host Gary Davies. The programme features music from the 1980’s, as well as interviews with stars of music, television and film. The BBC Red Button specials will continue.
Gary says: “I hugely enjoyed my guest appearance on Simon Mayo’s show during Sara Cox’s Danceathon last year, which led to me covering for Sara On Sounds of the 80s. It was so much fun and reminded me how much I had missed being on the radio.”
A new overnight programme will be launched with OJ Borg. Broadcast from Salford from midnight to 3am, it marks a return to overnight programming for the station. After Midnight, hosted by Janice Long and Alex Lester, was replaced with repeats and playlists last year.
Changes to specialist music
The Blues, Jazz, Folk and Country specialist music programmes will move an hour later, to a 8pm-9pm timeslot, Monday to Thursday.
BBC Radio 6 Music presenter Cerys Matthews will host a new live blues show every Monday. She takes over from Paul Jones, who will be leaving Radio 2.
Paul Jones says: “I have loved playing tracks from the world of Rhythm & Blues on Radio 2 over the last 30-plus years. I’m very grateful to all my listeners (not least for their influence on the content of programmes) but it’s time for me to hand over the baton – and I hope and believe Cerys will derive as much joy from the new show as I have until now.”
The jazz, folk and country music programmes continue with Jamie Cullum, Mark Radcliffe and Bob Harris respectively.
The Organist Entertains, Listen To The Band and the Radio 2 Arts Show will all be “rested”. The BBC station says brass and organ music will be included in Friday Night is Music Night, while brass will continue to be featured in Clare Teal’s Sunday night show, which celebrates big band music.
Johnnie Walker will host a new 26-part rock series on Monday nights from 9pm-10pm, sharing the Monday night slot with Jools Holland.
In other changes Huey Morgan’s Saturday morning show will be extended from 4am-6am, while Ana Matronic’s 12am-2am show becomes Ana Matronic’s Dance Devotion.
Early Sunday mornings will be hosted by Angela Scanlon from 4am-6am.