Source : Canadian Press

TORONTO (CP) - CBC's classical music station, Radio Two, is revamping its evening and late-night programming in a bid to attract younger listeners, the public broadcaster announced Wednesday.

"Half of our audience on Radio Two now is over 65 ... and we're not attracting new listeners into the service," said Jane Chalmers, vice-president of CBC Radio. "We want to bring in the 40-plus kind of group ... In some ways it's our listeners' kids that we want."

The changes, set to take place March 19, will also affect programming on Radio One, including the cancellation of the afternoon pop-culture chat show "Freestyle."

Other CBC shows to be scrapped because of the revamp include "Global Village" and "Brave New Waves."

Under the new format, Radio Two will feature a daily jazz program from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. to be hosted in Montreal on weekdays by Katie Malloch. It will air from Calgary on weekends.

It will be followed from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. by a show focusing on live music performed by acts across the country. The weekday host for that show will be Matt Galloway, who will also continue his Toronto drive-time duties on Radio One.
Laurie Brown, formerly of "The New Music," will helm a nightly contemporary music show from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Radio Two.

The changes also mean that Radio One listeners can expect to hear more talk and drama and less music.

"Dispatches," hosted by Rick MacInnes-Rae, will be expanded to include elements of the world music show "Global Village."

Chalmers said the changes are designed, in part, to better reflect the makeup of the country.

"The growth in Canada now is happening through immigration. We're seeing people move to different parts of the country, they want to hear more music coming from the communities that they live in," she said, referring to the new program of live concerts across Canada.

"We have to constantly look at how we are serving Canadians from the perspective of where they are and the perspective of their interests."

Chalmers said the changes mean that 63 employees at CBC will be reassigned, possibly resulting in one or two layoffs.

The watchdog group Friends of Canadian Broadcasting has been a frequent critic of CBC-TV, but had praise for Wednesday's radio announcement.

"You have to update and improve," said spokesman Ian Morrison, calling the changes "responsible management."

"We have to support the idea of trying to adjust to younger demographics ... and as long as they're sensitive to their existing audience, I commend them."

© Canadian Press

Related Documents:

January 17, 2007 - CBC: CBC Radio Announces New Programs
Message to staff from the Executive Director of Programming for CBC Radio announcing changes to Radio One and Radio Two.