[star tetley]

Does anybody know who has made the new package? A number of stations say they will be switching early in 2020.

[JustMattRadio]

> @”star tetley” said:
> Does anybody know who has made the new package? A number of stations say they will be switching early in 2020.

Someone I know within the BBC has told me the new jingles sound like Reelworld.

As per the brief, each station will have pretty much the same sound, so expect news, weather, travel, programme themes to be the same as I read it, and feature a generic main voice across the network, with local sub voices for each area.

[timbo]

> @JustMattRadio said:

> Someone I know within the BBC has told me the new jingles sound like Reelworld.
>
> As per the brief, each station will have pretty much the same sound, so expect news, weather, travel, programme themes to be the same as I read it, and feature a generic main voice across the network, with local sub voices for each area.
>

Matt I have also heard it is 100% Reelworld….and there are sung jingles (I was told stations can choose on that, so not all will), around 200 cuts (might not be issued in one hit), but unlike the current lot it’ll be consistent approach across stations i.e. the breakfast set will be same for all 39. A male and female main voiceover on the branding, with local voice insert option.
It’ll be a much different sound, but a pleasant change. All will be switched by April.

[mbMember]

I’ll listen out with interest – Reelworld have done some nice News / Full Service cuts – Radio Scotland, KSL, WMAL – hopefully they can bring BBC Local Radio into the 2020’s.

[rakMember]

I heard about Reelworld a couple of weeks ago. Having heard the BBC Scotland package, this could be exactly what BBC LR needs.

[IainJohnston]

BBC Radio Scotland – Reelworld – including BBC Scotland in-house orchestra

News, talk, conversation by day
https://soundcloud.com/allthebestjingles04/ij-bbcradioscotland-newsconversation-rw-17apr2019

Specialistic music in the evenings – rock, Scottish, traditional, etc
https://soundcloud.com/allthebestjingles04/ij-bbcradioscotland-specialist-rw

[IanF]

No beef about RW doing it. Just a bit sad it’s so uniform accross the network. Should be interesting what RW come up with. As mentioned above they’ve doing a cracking job for BBC Radio Scotland

[IainJohnston]

To be fair, RW-Europe and RW-USA are very different in approach but with common core attitudes.
And that certainly clearly shows with RW-Europe.

I would hope that the BBC-LR stuff follows the BBC Scotland (and some Continental RW-Europe customers’)
principle of using (BBC) staff musicians and facilities to record a lot of the layers of brass, strings etc.
I do presume that the rhyhtym beds are written & laid-down within RW’s own facilities?)

I believe the big BBC Scotland cuts were done at the BBC’s favourite stomping ground of the City Halls
(been there!) in Glasgow, where a lot of their hosted things are done e.g. Celtic Connections (which
is a thing that generates so much audio & video it keeps their Alba TV channel going for months!)

[JasonRNF]

Not great that stations will be forced to use the same beds for every programme. Yes, every station is part of ‘BBC Local Radio’ but different stations have different styles. For example, Three Counties Andy Collins’ Breakfast Show is almost completely different to Radio Kent’s ‘Wake Up Call’. So the same beds on these programmes will sound odd.

Also, can someone clear up the voiceover situation for me as I am a bit confused. Are all stations to have the same voiceover?

[JustMattRadio]

> @JasonRNF said:
> Not great that stations will be forced to use the same beds for every programme. Yes, every station is part of ‘BBC Local Radio’ but different stations have different styles. For example, Three Counties Andy Collins’ Breakfast Show is almost completely different to Radio Kent’s ‘Wake Up Call’. So the same beds on these programmes will sound odd.
>
> Also, can someone clear up the voiceover situation for me as I am a bit confused. Are all stations to have the same voiceover?

All stations will have one main ‘BBC’ voice that they must use, but will then be able to have a ‘local’ voice.

[JasonRNF]

> @JustMattRadio said:
> > @JasonRNF said:
> > Not great that stations will be forced to use the same beds for every programme. Yes, every station is part of ‘BBC Local Radio’ but different stations have different styles. For example, Three Counties Andy Collins’ Breakfast Show is almost completely different to Radio Kent’s ‘Wake Up Call’. So the same beds on these programmes will sound odd.
> >
> > Also, can someone clear up the voiceover situation for me as I am a bit confused. Are all stations to have the same voiceover?
>
> All stations will have one main ‘BBC’ voice that they must use, but will then be able to have a ‘local’ voice.

I’ve read the document through again, and it does mention that they ‘anticipate’ to use one V/O across the network, with room for a ‘local’ voiceover. What does that mean?.
Hopefully sound producers will argue that this is a poor ‘anticipation’ and completely soaks up any individuality stations can have. I get the feeling that they want to make all of BBC LR sound exactly the same – why?

I bet you anything the ‘main BBC’ voice will be that screechy female from 5 live.

I’m all for a new package, but not this sort of forced thing. Especially at a time when BBC LR needs to differentiate and appeal to a wide market.

[IanF]

> @JasonRNF said:
> > @JustMattRadio said:
> > > @JasonRNF said:
> > > Not great that stations will be forced to use the same beds for every programme. Yes, every station is part of ‘BBC Local Radio’ but different stations have different styles. For example, Three Counties Andy Collins’ Breakfast Show is almost completely different to Radio Kent’s ‘Wake Up Call’. So the same beds on these programmes will sound odd.
> > >
> > > Also, can someone clear up the voiceover situation for me as I am a bit confused. Are all stations to have the same voiceover?
> >
> > All stations will have one main ‘BBC’ voice that they must use, but will then be able to have a ‘local’ voice.
>
> I’ve read the document through again, and it does mention that they ‘anticipate’ to use one V/O across the network, with room for a ‘local’ voiceover. What does that mean?.
> Hopefully sound producers will argue that this is a poor ‘anticipation’ and completely soaks up any individuality stations can have. I get the feeling that they want to make all of BBC LR sound exactly the same – why?
>
> I bet you anything the ‘main BBC’ voice will be that screechy female from 5 live.
>
> I’m all for a new package, but not this sort of forced thing. Especially at a time when BBC LR needs to differentiate and appeal to a wide market.

Absolutely spot on Jason. This is NOT Heart. It’s BBC Local Radio. Local being the operarive word…..and not used in a League of Gentlemen way!

[timbo]

> > >
> > > Also, can someone clear up the voiceover situation for me as I am a bit confused. Are all stations to have the same voiceover?
> >
> > All stations will have one main ‘BBC’ voice that they must use, but will then be able to have a ‘local’ voice.

>
> I bet you anything the ‘main BBC’ voice will be that screechy female from 5 live.
>
> I’m all for a new package, but not this sort of forced thing. Especially at a time when BBC LR needs to differentiate and appeal to a wide market.

There are two voices one male, one female ALL stations will use (there’s a 5 Live link but not the one you’re thinking of). SOME jingle cuts will have the option for a local voice/accent insert. Stations will have a choice if they want to go down that route or not.
My understanding of why the same package will be used –
a) cheaper (same reason as Macasso) – the days of individual packages are long gone friends
b) when stations do unite, daily regional and occasional national (things like election debates recently) it means there will be consistent sound and not a patchwork.
c) There will be a consistent strap line too I’m told.
d) arguably means the work of the less able station sound managers around the country won’t stand out like a sore thumb, like it has with some use of Macasso, highlighted on this forum strand in detail at times.
All jingles are being mixed by a central hub for all 39 stations….
I understand there is an urgency to have these rolled out by spring and not let it drag out longer than that (but this is local BBC I’d not put my house on it). The jingles are apparently very different, but it needs it. It WILL split opinion on here for sure.
All part of the high level management strategy to change the ‘sound’ of BBC Local. Although they might need to look at their often stuffy schedules and some presenters to deal with that! But how do you get rid of the old school if they’re all staff….problem me thinks.

[dw1987ukMember]

Does anyone know the total cost of the rebrand?

BBC Cambs only switched over to the 2015 Macasso package in Spring this year. Are there any others which changed more recently? I think there may be a few left which never switched.

I wonder if any stations will switch to the brand new package as early as next week. Usually it coincides with a schedule change and there must be some for the new year. BBC Essex is having two programme changes at weekends from next weekend – possibly a natural point to switch if they’re ready?

[JasonRNF]

Local radio isn’t dying purely because of the current imaging (although it is a factor), it’s dying because of BBC management like this, who believe the ‘copy and paste’ formula works.

Stations need to stand out in their communities, and need to work to feel integrated with the areas they serve. BBC Tees’ news build states that their ‘proud of where we live’. BBC 3CR used to be ‘local and vocal’, BBC Sussex is ‘Made in Sussex, for Sussex’, BBC Wiltshire is ‘your voice, in your county’, Radio Gloucestershire ‘Because we love our county’ etc etc.
But for other areas, this sort of thing isn’t appropriate, so forcing a head office tagline is just so wrong.

The ‘local accent’ voiceover thing just sounds ridiculous (and snobbish). For example, on BBC Tees, listeners will get a strong southern accent and then the booming Teeside voice alongside? Same for WM and Radio Merseyside? It’s clearly an afterthought

Presenting styles across stations are like night and day. The fantastic Phil Upton on Coventry & Warwickshire is direct, to the point and says it like it is, he is completely different to the outgoing and bouncy ‘big show’ personality of recent recruit Wayne Bavin on Radio Northampton. Having shared beds and voiceovers for these two rather different shows will surely sound odd? Another example, which I have already mentioned, is the Andy Collins show, which is a world away from ‘The Wake Up Call’ on BBC Radio Kent.

The pointless and rubbish General Election national evening shows were a prime example of how this management want BBC LR to sound, going against what the DG stated back in November 2017. We’re going backwards, it’s time to ask the listeners, the target audience, producers and presenters what they want, as they’re the people who matter, not some dull radio exec who is still stuck in 2005.

[GrahamCollins]

> @GrahamCollins said:

> I still can’t get my head around why BBC Radio Guernsey cannot have EXACTLY the same imaging as BBC Radio Manchester ? Just change the station voice if you want a local nod.
>

There will probably be more than a dozen different beds to suit different types of shows. I hope they do use a common set for the news in, travel and weather. Don’t forget, the typical listener won’t notice or care that the beds have been changed – they are listening for their favourite presenters and show content. The window dressing is irrelevant to them.

I have been amazed that stations have been allowed to be so picky about what Mcasso bits and pieces they have used and when. Now they are getting a quality product from THE jingle company of the moment – they must now tow the line and use it when directed to do so.

[dw1987ukMember]

I wonder if BBC Essex will be forced to use a bed under the travel news? I believe they haven’t used one for years because listener(s) complained it was distracting.

[rakMember]

> @GrahamCollins said:

> There will probably be more than a dozen different beds to suit different types of shows. I hope they do use a common set for the news in, travel and weather. Don’t forget, the typical listener won’t notice or care that the beds have been changed – they are listening for their favourite presenters and show content. The window dressing is irrelevant to them.
>
> I have been amazed that stations have been allowed to be so picky about what Mcasso bits and pieces they have used and when. Now they are getting a quality product from THE jingle company of the moment – they must now tow the line and use it when directed to do so.
>
Some stations are hardly using any Mcasso stuff at the moment, for whatever reason, and having all stations receiving pretty much the same kit of parts from Reelworld, that’s a good place to start. I’m sure that the more creative Station Sound folks will be given a bit of flexibility to go off-piste – if they do it well. The TV Regions were all recently given a corporate set of graphics and music beds, and I’m sure a bit of variation has already crept it.

Personally, I can’t wait to hear some Reelworld on BBC LR. With the music policy now more modern (slanted to the ’80s), it can only be good for their sound.

[mbMember]

wow it turned into an essay. Discuss hahahahaha

Reelworld create some great imaging for Sports radio / News / talk / full-service stations – I think the BBC Scotland package is really nice. Really looking forward to what they will have produced. I know they divide opinion (and some packages are not to my taste) but they are bloody good at what they do. Powerful, memorable, distinctive, cut through ID’s. There are packages they’ve produced that I love listening to. And some of their UK work has been top notch – The Revolution, Radio Clyde, Key 103, Metro Radio.
I know that had they not been on competing commercial stations a few years ago they would have been on some BBC Local Stations.

I can only hope that there have been learnings from the commercial sector – BBC Local radio is now under more pressure than ever – For years it was always the BBC Local Vs a single or couple of ILR’s, but in the last 20 years and especially with DAB the choice of stations playing music has expanded hugely. Now for talk there is a national service from LBC, LBC News, Talk Radio & Talk Sport. The BBC must editorially change. They are now fighting a Mid-morning topical phone in on the SAME subjects as James O’Brien. As a show it’s tighter, better produced than the stale local BBC offering. We love local but Heart, Capital etc have shown that consistency in imaging and style helps drive the stations. BBC Locals have tried a consistent strap line before but always seemed to drift away.

Weak programming and stale presenters are a major challenge – There are some real highlights across the network but they often seem to get stifled by senior management. They spend so long trying to be the station for old people it takes a seismic shift to change that perception and will take time to reposition BBC Local Radio. But to do so there needs to be some major culling of long serving presenters and people just not up to standard. On my local BBC Station 3CR this would leave virtually no one on air!!! But is long long overdue!
Station sound management has never been great (Well great at some, ok at others and dire at many more) – There have been good and bad examples.

What are the learning from the last 10 years: –

• They’ve “aligned” Local TV imaging / Themes to a single BBC Brand look and feel (although local graphics quality can vary massively – Too many local bulletins look like they were put together in Powerpoint!) – The current situation is a half way mess of same but different – started with good intentions but it’s like they lost control – Clearly this new package being tighter on use, cuts, voices, production and speed of roll out is designed to address that and bring stations back into a consistent sounding brand.

• Slow rollout produces an inconsistent sound

• Poor local production and lots and lots of cuts badly edited and used ruin any consistent sound ambition

• The current (however many versions) Macasso imaging seems to be viewed by most people as functional or mediocre – Hence you see people playing with it, not using it, or not getting behind updates and roll outs. (Remember the Introduction of JAM cuts to Radio 1 and the DJ’s loving them) I’ve never heard of anyone in BBC local radio who “loves” using the imaging from the last 10 years.

• Cuts need to be written, played and produced by people who understand HOW they are used and work – Macasso just didn’t seem to understand how Jingles / IDs are used or work. How to construct a bed with a start, middle and stab / end ID.

So I want something big, bold, modern, upbeat and fresh.

[mbMember]

> @dw1987uk said:
> I wonder if BBC Essex will be forced to use a bed under the travel news? I believe they haven’t used one for years because listener(s) complained it was distracting.

If the network is managed properly yes
There sould be guidance and it should be followed.

[rakMember]

On air on Radio Leicester this morning https://twitter.com/stuartthomas/status/1214100710012411904

[mbMember]

Nice jingles – very different

Very “on trend” with the mix or vocal and spoken and strong logo.
I really like the vocal cuts I’ve heard and they sound much more modern, upbeat and positive than anything from the last 10-15 years.
Day one on one station but I’m liking what I’ve heard and it will be interesting to hear them implemented across and how other stations / presenters use them.

Has anyone noticed how Very very very like the Greatest hits radio jingles these are?
I keep thinking when i hear the cuts – BBC Local Radio – Sounds like this – Greatest hits radio
But so far I think it’s a very positive move forward and progression in station sound. now just to fix some of the content.

[JingleMadMember]

[DuncanNewmarchMember]

Having only heard those few, I’m feeling positive. I love BBC local but the imaging has been very hit or miss for years. In my humble opinion, the younger sound is very welcomed- if the programmes/playlist updates with them. Very small niggle, I guess the 6 note logo stands for “Radio Leicestershire” but the voices say “BBC Radio Leicestershire”- it’s one or the other. Hmm, I wouldn’t mind using them myself.

[star tetley]

> @DuncanNewmarch said:
> Having only heard those few, I’m feeling positive. I love BBC local but the imaging has been very hit or miss for years. In my humble opinion, the younger sound is very welcomed- if the programmes/playlist updates with them. Very small niggle, I guess the 6 note logo stands for “Radio Leicestershire” but the voices say “BBC Radio Leicestershire”- it’s one or the other. Hmm, I wouldn’t mind using them myself.

The station is ‘Leicester’ so I assume the 6 note logo will be used across the stations not standing for anything.

It is nice to have the station names sung again although I expect there to be a small range of cuts.

Not very pleased with the news in ‘play BBC Radio Leicester’ which is being used by so many of the independent stations, it would be nice to have something different for BBC Locals.

[Author]

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