BBC Radio 2 has lost a million listeners following Ken Bruce’s departure earlier this year, with diehard fans following the beloved presenter to his rival commercial channel Greatest Radio Hits.
The reduced viewing figures come after the broadcaster after a a number of older presenters, including Steve Wright, Craig Charles and the late Paul O’Grady, were sent out for younger DJs.
It has led to so-called ‘Radio 2 refugees’ leaving the station – which remains the most popular in the country despite listeners leaving – in favor of commercial rivals playing more hits from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.
In March the Scottish presenter, 72, best known for presenting his BBC Radio 2 mid-morning show from 1986 to 1990 and again from 1992 to 2023, signed off with the station for the last time after 31 years.
In the wake of his departure show, the station dropped from 14.5 million listeners in the first three months of 2023 to 13.5 million between March and the end of June, according to UK radio audience measurement body Rajar.
While Bruce was still on the air, the station saw 14.5 million viewers tuning in weekly.
Bruce, 72, left the BBC in March and has three million listeners for his new show on Bauer’s Greatest Hits station
In the wake of Bruce’s departure show, the station dropped from 14.5 million listeners in the first three months of 2023 to 13.5 million
Steve Wright’s afternoon show, 23, was replaced last year by Radio 1’s Scott Mills, 49
Radio 2 still remains the most listened to station in the UK, but the dramatic decline in listeners coincides with the veteran broadcaster’s departure from the BBC.
Bruce, 72, was taken off the air two weeks before the end of his contract and later said he felt he was being taken for granted by BBC bosses.
He told the Radio Times earlier this year: ‘I probably wanted to prove a few things to myself, and maybe to other people, about my worth on Radio 2.
“There were times when I felt I wasn’t really noticed by the BBC itself or by some of the listeners. So I thought, ‘I’m going to make these people appreciate me.
“And after doing that satisfactorily, I felt it was time to challenge myself a little bit, try something different, instead of getting trite and waiting for the axe.”
The former BBC 2 star also reflected on his dismay that the broadcaster had asked him to step down before his contract was fully up.
‘I’m a bit disappointed about that, I must say. Because I thought, after 45 years, I could be trusted to do the right thing in the coming weeks,” he said. “But it’s obvious to them. It’s their choice.’
The veteran presenter’s slot was temporarily filled by BBC DJ Gary Davis, before Bolton-born broadcaster Vernon Kay, 49, took over permanently.
Tearful fans admitted they cried when Bruce shut down his last BBC show in March – with some vowing not to listen to Radio 2 again.
Bruce’s replacement with Kay led to accusations from BBC bosses of favoring ‘younger, cheaper’ TV stars over veteran DJs.
A senior radio source told MailOnline prior to the switch: ‘Vernon’s agents would have used Ken’s salary as a starting point, but would probably have negotiated down to £250,000 to £300,000, suggesting he is much less experienced than Ken. He’s younger and probably cheaper.’
Under the replacement of senior staff, with the BBC accused of ‘rank ageism’, 68-year-old Steve Wright’s midday show aged 23 was replaced by Radio 1’s Scott Mills, 49.
The late Paul O’Grady, 67, who had been with Radio 2 for 14 years, also retired from broadcasting after being forced to share his time slot with comedian Rob Beckett, 37.
Bruce started his new job at Bauer’s Greatest Hits station in April, where he now has three million listeners, doubling the station’s ratings in the same period last year.
Bruce was replaced by Vernon Kay, 49, who is married to Strictly Come Dancing presenter Tess Daly
BBC 2’s Breakfast Show with Zoe Ball has also had a dip in listeners, with 560,000 people dropping out since March, from 7.26 million to 6.7 million
“I’ve always said it’s not really about the numbers and it’s not, at least for me, but I’m excited to hear today’s news for the team here at my new home, Greatest Hits Radio,” said Bruce.
“My first four months have flown by and I’ve loved every minute of it – with much more to come.”
On his departure, he assured fans that his new radio show would be “much the same” and that he had no intention of introducing “huge big bells and whistles” to the format.
While the show airs from 1am to 1pm, the PopMaster quiz – which Bruce adopted from the BBC for being a trademark of the long-standing segment – is played simultaneously between 10:30am and 10:50am.
Hit songs from the 70s, 80s and 90s – all loved by his loyal fan base – are still played.
Bruce just announced that he is launching another digital radio station with Bauer – Ken Bruce’s Secret 60s, which will only play music from the 1960s.
The latest listening figures also showed that BBC 2’s Breakfast Show with Zoe Ball has also had a dip in listeners, with 560,000 people dropping out since March, from 7.26 million to 6.7 million.
Compared to this time last year, Ms. Ball’s show has also lost over half a million listeners. It is still the most listened to breakfast show of all stations.
“Radio 2 remains the UK’s most popular radio station with 13.5 million loyal listeners tuning in each week to the best music from the last seven decades, presented by some of the country’s best-loved presenters,” said Helen Thomas, head of Radio 2.
“Congratulations to the brilliant Zoe Ball who continues to host the most listened-to breakfast show in the country.”
Radio 4 also experienced a significant year-on-year decline, with 1.3 million fewer listeners in the same period this year compared to 2022.
Last year 10.3 million people listened to Radio 4, at the beginning of 2023 there were 9.4 million and now only 9 million.
Radio 4’s flagship program Today has also had a hit, with 300,000 viewers dropping out between March and the end of June.
“Today it remains one of the most listened to breakfast radio programmes, providing listeners with reliable, in-depth reporting and agenda-setting interviews,” said a BBC spokesman.
While listeners may be dropping out of BBC stations, alternative offerings like Boom Radio – aimed at the Baby Boomer generation – are seeing their ratings soar.
The station has doubled its listenership year over year, with 641,000 tuning in this year compared to 336,000 in the same period last year.
Helen Thomas, head of Radio 2, said after the ratings reveal: ‘Radio 2 remains the UK’s most popular radio station with 13.5 million loyal listeners tuning in each week to the best music from the last seven decades, presented by some of the country’s most beloved presenters.
“Congratulations to the brilliant Zoe Ball who continues to host the most listened-to breakfast show in the country.”