Radio 2 cuts drama output

Independent producers have criticised the BBC Radio 2 for reducing its radio drama output.
The network will not be commissioning new dramatic readings for part of its Friday night's schedule, which follows BBC Radio 4's decision to reduce the number of plays it broadcasts.

According to The Stage newspaper, the cuts are likely to save BBC Radio 2 more than £100,000 a year.
The Friday night slot on Radio 2 has been described by producers as a “stand-out, showcase slot”, because it is the only one of its kind on the station and regularly attracts big names.
Independent producer Clive Stanhope told The Stage: “They could save far more money by cutting down on the over-inflated fees they pay to some presenters rather than cutting back on readings, a comparatively small part of their overall budget.”
A spokeswoman for BBC Radio 2 said the station was not currently commissioning new readings because it planned to repeat archive productions.