Schedule shake up for BBC Radio 3

Radio 3 breakfast presenter Rob Cowan is leaving the show to instead front a new-look mid-morning programme, starting in September.

Cowan will host ‘Essential Classics’ each weekday 9am-12noon, with Sara Mohr-Pietsch and Petroc Trelawny taking over breakfast from the new earlier time of 6.30am.

Rob Cowan will team up with existing mid-morning presenter Sarah Walker for a programme that we’re told will see them ‘share their passion for classical music by guiding listeners to essential pieces of music and recommending performances and artists.’ The show will also have a daily guest to discuss their musical tastes, and an Artist of the Week slot will feature recordings by great artists of today alongside major figures from the past and rising stars.

As part of the schedule shuffle, Suzy Klein moves to present In Tune with Sean Rafferty (taking over from Petroc Trelawny), while Rob Cowan and James Jolly will present Sunday Morning instead of Suzy. A new Saturday Classics show will also air on Saturdays 3-5pm from 17 September and offer a personal view of classical music from a range of presenters.

Roger Wright, Controller BBC Radio 3 and Director, BBC Proms, says: “I’m delighted to welcome two new programmes to Radio 3’s distinctive schedule. Our new evening schedule, with live concerts broadcast every evening, has been warmly welcomed. The two new additions to our daytime programming will take listeners further on their journey through the world of classical music. Through a combination of expert presenters and special guests Radio 3 will be a trusted guide to the core repertoire and recordings.”

Other schedule changes at the station include Jazz Library moving to 12midnight on Saturdays. Jazz Line Up also moves earlier to 11pm on Sunday evenings, while World Routes moves to Sunday evenings at 10-11pm.