Sell, Sell, Sell, Win, Win, Win

“Radio 1’s Wednesday afternoon singles chart rundown, which will air between 3.30pm and 4pm, will be based on the same day’s update already issued by chart compiler the Official Charts Company. George Ergatoudis, Radio 1’s head of music, said he hoped the new chart would “encourage fans to go out and support their favourite acts, because for the first time they’ll really be able to really see the difference they make in the weekly chart battle and then tune in on Sundays to find out who has won.”

Quality Not Quantity

The simple fact is that the more you play one song the less airtime is available to others who struggle to be heard locally or nationally. Let me give you a simple example: Jessie J and Adele each had at least 3 songs A Playlisted in 2011 with each song being played over several months at least twenty times per week during peak listening. In effect these acts (and several others) were never off the BBC airwaves in 2011 and were played on 3 stations (Radio 1, Radio 2 and 6 Music). Our UK band of the year whose album was submitted to the BBC was never listed, along with dozens of other great acts and their music. And why does Radio 1 only play singles?

The UK music industry is in turmoil and its partially due to the BBC Playlist policy and record companies who concentrate their sales efforts on acts they feel will secure BBC airplay. It’s killing new talent, ignores established talent and discourages rather than inspires. The BBC has much to answer for but few appear willing or able to take it to task for the gross damage its done to music and its most talented and passionate creators.

‘BBC Sound Of 2012′

A BBC annual ‘tastemakers’ vote-fest to decide who amongst new acts will be the one most likely to make it each year. Here’s how the BBC describe it:

The BBC Sound of 2012 list aims to highlight the most promising new music-makers for the year ahead. The artists on the list were chosen by 184 UK-based ‘tastemakers’, who each named their favourite three new artists, with the top 15 artist making our longlist. The tastemakers are experts (really? - Ed) in current and new music, whose tastes and decisions are regularly reflected in the media and are capable of setting the musical agenda and influencing audiences (rather like the BBC - Ed). Our panel is made up of newspaper and magazine editors and critics, producers and presenters from music radio and televison, website editors and respected bloggers.

The panel have chosen their favourite three new acts, in order of preference. The criteria given to participants when choosing artists were:

•Your choice can be performers of any description - bands, singers, MCs etc.

•They should be the best, most exciting acts, in your opinion. Please base your choices on quality, not on hype or size of record deal.

•They must not have had a UK top 20 single or album by 14 November 2011.

•They can be from any musical genre and any country.

•They must not already be famous (eg member of a hit band going solo, or soap star). No X Factor/American Idol/etc.

•New means new to the general public. They may have been around for a while if you believe they are ready to step up to the next level of quality and recognition.

•You must not be related (eg relative, close friend) or have any financial or other commercial connection with your chosen acts. You must not have worked for them or on their behalf, or be planning to do so; eg PR, label, managing, promoting etc.

Of the 184 ‘tastemakers’ 53 are BBC-related personnel (executives, presenters, producers, etc.) and so have a major influence on acts finally nominated and who wins. With the BBC having such a major, dominant radio market share and therefore influence on sales it is not right that any BBC personnel are involved in the selection process. Indeed, I question the whole excercise, as I do the validity and integrity of other annual music awards. 

2012

As we enter a new musical year I want to begin to see major changes in the way the BBC Radio 1 and 2 operates.

I want to see an end to the unjust and dishonest Playlist policy, and airtime spread far more evenly, diversely and fairly amongst new and established acts
I want to see an end to the grossly high pay of presenters and major cost savings in other areas such as live music broadcasting
I want to see total transparency at the BBC especially in regard to detailed costs, income and industry relationships
I want to see an end to the discrimination between signed and unsigned acts in relation to airplay
I want to see less singles broadcast and more album tracks
I Want to see the end to BBC music selection committees and a heavier reliance on skilled and knowledgeable, real DJs, for music selection
I want to hear more music and much less meaningless chat (currently taking almost 50% of airtime)
I want to see more musical diversity, ambition, adventure, inspiration and quality in the music played
I want to see a much more independent stance in what is picked to play and cessation of the selling of singles by record companies to BBC executives

I want to see a far more thorough oversight of the BBC by the BBC Trust, regulator and government who allow it to show extraordinary commercial bias to certain musical acts, and a extravagent, cavalier attitude to spending

Some Hope…. as they say, ’shit floats’.