The Guardian
28 January 2020
The Times has confirmed plans to launch its own speech radio station later this year, with the aim of luring listeners away from BBC Radio 4 and 5 live at a time when the public broadcaster is facing cuts.
The long-rumoured launch will involve the newspaper creating a station with a "daily schedule of news, analysis and commentary with a lineup of high-profile presenters" broadcasting nationally on DAB radio, online and via smart speakers, such as Amazon's Alexa.
Management told employees that Times Radio would "target those disenfranchised by BBC Radio 4 and 5 Live" and was expected to launch in the spring featuring "great names of broadcasting", according to those present at a staff meeting.
Stig Abell, the channel's launch director, told the Guardian he wanted to break free of the standard radio debate format where two individuals with opposing views shout at each other. "We want to have different voices with different opinions but we don't necessarily want that kind of format."
Rather than have phone-ins, the station's programmes would allow listeners to learn "something you didn't know before", with a focus on conversations covering all aspects of news and current affairs. "We want people to tune in because they'll get what's going on in the world."
Additional story from The Guardian at https://tinyurl.com/rltoke7