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BBC Radio Wales looks to 'best mix' as habits change

BBC Colin PatersonBBC
Colin Paterson returned to BBC Radio Wales two years ago

BBC Radio Wales must meet the challenge of changing listening habits, its editor has said.

Colin Paterson was speaking as the station celebrated 40 years on air.

It launched in 1978, occupying a wavelength previously used by BBC Radio 4.

Despite recently suffering its worst listening figures on record, Mr Paterson said the station needed to be "popular and accessible" while serving varied content.

"Radio Wales broadcasts a complex mix of content, and radio stations now tend to be looking more to narrow-casting and how they can focus their content.

"That is a challenge for us, because we want to be popular and accessible. But we also want to be serving audiences in Wales with a mix of content that reflects our public service remit," he said.

Mr Paterson said BBC Wales had conducted large-scale research "to try and understand exactly what is the best mix for the station" and that he intended to "bring new names and try new things" in future.

Radio has remained relatively resilient compared to the fragmentation of audiences seen in print and TV.

But the surge in popularity of audio streaming services and podcasts has presented a new challenge for traditional stations.

The BBC recently launched a new app, BBC Sounds, which provides a single destination for its radio stations, podcasts and other audio.

"We have just got to make sure that we are part of that mix," Mr Paterson said.

"There are a number of different fronts you have got to look at. There is the radio station, but then there are digital platforms, and I am committed to listening to audiences and also acting on it to make sure wherever they are getting their audio from, Radio Wales and BBC Wales is part of that mix."

How a singing parrot and foul play in rugby helped Radio Wales go on air 40 years ago.
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BBC Radio Wales through the years

The station was launched on 13 November 1978 - taking over the medium wave slot from Radio 4's Wales Service, the old Home Service.

As well as news, that first morning also featured an item on a singing parrot.

As a mix of setting the agenda and light entertainment, the tone was set.

The AM team back in 1978 when BBC Radio Wales was launched
The AM team in the early days, with Chris Stuart in the studio
Vincent Kane was a stalwart of news presenting at the station
Vincent Kane was already a stalwart of news presenting when the station was launched, and presented Good Morning Wales and the long-running Meet For Lunch
Frank Hennessy and Roy Noble at a roadshow in the 1980s
Frank Hennessy and Roy Noble at a roadshow in the 1980s
Patrick Hannan interviewing Conservative politician Nicholas Edwards in the early 1980s
Patrick Hannan interviewing Conservative politician Nicholas Edwards in the early 1980s
Rob Brydon (left), Alun Williams, Owen Money and Mal Pope interviewing Catherine Zeta Jones
Rob Brydon (left) in 1987; veteran broadcaster Alun Williams, Owen Money and Mal Pope interviewing Catherine Zeta Jones
Good Morning Wales presenters Peter Johnson and Gail Foley in the 1990s
Good Morning Wales presenters Peter Johnson and Gail Foley in the 1990s
A bus tour is taking the station around Wales
A bus tour is taking the station's presenters around Wales

BBC Radio Wales is celebrating its 40th birthday by taking its presenters around the country on a specially painted bus.

It will also stage a concert in Swansea hosted by Owen Money, whose Saturday morning show is the station's most popular programme.

Despite the changing habits of listeners, Mr Paterson said he remained optimistic about the future.

"It is a changing time for media organisations, but I also think it is a really exciting time.

"We have just got to be clear about where is Radio Wales in that market and what do we need to do for our audiences."