Jeremy Vine questions Rhodri Talfan Davies over BBC Local Radio changes

BBC Director of Nations Rhodri Talfan Davies has been defending the changes to Local BBC Radio in a heated debate on BBC Radio 2.

The Director appeared on the Jeremy Vine show along with commercial radio executive David Lloyd to talk about how the process of providing a Digital First BBC has been handled.

Jeremy persistently asked Rhodri why the corporation is getting rid of so many great presenters across the network, why presenters who have been on-air with the BBC for decades have been asked to make a demo tape to keep their jobs, and why is the BBC creating regional local radio when everything else is going hyperlocal.

In response, Rhodri Talfan Davies avoided answering the specific questions but talked about how local radio is not closing, how the newsteams from television, radio and online are being brought together, and that everyone applying for new job roles need to be treated equally.

Jeremy asked about the ‘demo tape’ situation: “Do you understand how disrespectful that might be to someone who has been working for you for 30 years?” Rhodri confirmed they have to give equal consideration to everybody.

He said: “We have to make a reduction in the number of presenters we have. It’s really important when you go through an interview process that you allow each candidate to show off what they do, and once we’ve finished the process we’ll publish a station by station schedule.”

David Lloyd said the entire process, the way staff have been treated, couldn’t have been handled any worse if they tried. The situation has been going on for far too long and local radio has been poorly run for a long time, he added.

Listeners also took part in the debate suggesting an impact assessment hasn’t been carried out, and emphasising how important local radio is.

Rhodri is the Director of Nations and sits on the BBC’s Executive Committee. He has responsibility for leading all work serving nations and local audiences across Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland.

You can hear the interviews around 1.10pm on Tuesday’s show here.

Great work @theJeremyVine interviewing the delusional BBC manager talking about cuts to BBC local radio.

Taking money from broadcasting & putting it into online content MUST be the final straw. They CANNOT be allowed to use more of the BROADCAST licence fee on websites.

— Steve Randall (@steverandallUK) May 23, 2023

The @theJeremyVine @rhodritd interview was absolute dynamite.@rhodritd @JasonHorton_uk and Chris Burns MUST resign immediately and stop this utter farce.

They are destroying a national treasure and they can't see it.

Resign – and reverse this utter madness. It's a disaster.

— Carl Wheatley (@TheCarlWheatley) May 23, 2023

Brilliant from @theJeremyVine tearing into BBC LR management over its death wish strategy. Of course it’s too expensive but the very last thing you sacrifice as a radio station is your listeners and, as a public body, your paymasters.

— Harrison RB (@HarrisonRBRadio) May 23, 2023

Wow @theJeremyVine
pulling no punches on BBC Local Radio changes – currently grilling Nations boss Rhodri Talfan Davies

— Louise Hulland (@LouiseOnAir) May 23, 2023

Well I had a listen. That @theJeremyVine bloke is ok but I’ll head back to @BoomRadioUK – and thank you to the very kind lady who gave @NickyHorne and us such a nice plug:-) chapeau to @DavidLloydRADIO who I know cares passionately about BBC local radio & what is happening there https://t.co/DZbhKE8u8R

— Phil Riley (@radioriley) May 23, 2023

Well spoken@DavidLloydRADIO

— Den Siegertsz (@den_siegertsz) May 23, 2023

Just outside the studio… pic.twitter.com/MgkLHPWkKj

— David Burns (@bbcburnsy) May 23, 2023