chrismoyles.net
- Thu Nov 09, 2006 7:32 pm
#254391
BBC Radio 1's daytime boss Ben Cooper has been promoted to the new role of head of programmes, pencilling him in as the heir apparent to long-serving controller Andy Parfitt.
Mr Cooper, who was previously the station's head of mainstream, will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the station, reporting to Mr Parfitt, who has been Radio 1 controller since 1998.
As Radio 1's head of mainstream, Mr Cooper has overseen a number of major changes across the daytime schedule including Chris Moyles taking over breakfast, Colin Murray and Edith Bowman in the afternoon, and Scott Mills at drivetime.
Mr Cooper joined Radio 1 in 1996, producing a variety of shows including Moyles, Jo Whiley and Nicky Campbell.
He began his career in 1990 as a runner at BBC Hereford and Worcester, working for Jane Garvey, who now co-hosts the drivetime show on Radio 5 Live. He returned to Radio 1 in 2003 after a two-year stint at Capital Radio.
Mr Cooper's promotion is part of a shakeup of executive management at Radio 1 and 1Xtra.
Lorna Clarke, the festival director of the BBC Electric Proms, is becoming head of programmes 1Xtra, while Ian Parkinson, who is currently head of 1Xtra and specialist music at Radio 1, becomes head of editorial standards across Radio 1 and 1Xtra, as well as overseeing music development projects for BBC Radio and Music Interactive.
Mr Parkinson will report to Mr Parfitt and Simon Nelson, controller radio and music interactive.
Wilber Wilberforce, who is currently editor of 1Xtra, becomes the digital station's deputy head of programmes.
Mr Parfitt said the appointments would "futureproof both networks and ensure that the strategy for Radio 1 and 1Xtra are delivered effectively".
His responsibilities have expanded beyond Radio 1, after he was chosen by director general Mark Thompson to be his new "teen tsar".
Overseeing a new "teen strategy" aimed at attracting younger viewers to the BBC, Mr Parfitt and a small team are working across BBC TV to create drama, comedy, music and news programming aimed specifically at 12- to 16-year-olds.
Radio 1 had 10.58 million listeners in the third quarter of this year, 250,000 up on the same period last year. It had a 9.8% share of the market, down from 10.3% the previous quarter, but up from 9.4% last year.
1Xtra had 394,000 listeners, down 2.7% on the same period last year, despite adding more than 100,000 on the previous quarter. It had a 0.2% share of the audience.
Jenny Abramsky, director of BBC Radio and Music, said the appointments would "give Radio 1 and 1Xtra the creative and innovative leadership the stations need to ensure they continue to thrive in the exciting, but challenging, digital radio world. Ian will now apply his expertise to radio and music interactive, a brilliant asset for the department".
From Guardian Media
Congrats go to Ben, of course.
Mr Cooper, who was previously the station's head of mainstream, will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the station, reporting to Mr Parfitt, who has been Radio 1 controller since 1998.
As Radio 1's head of mainstream, Mr Cooper has overseen a number of major changes across the daytime schedule including Chris Moyles taking over breakfast, Colin Murray and Edith Bowman in the afternoon, and Scott Mills at drivetime.
Mr Cooper joined Radio 1 in 1996, producing a variety of shows including Moyles, Jo Whiley and Nicky Campbell.
He began his career in 1990 as a runner at BBC Hereford and Worcester, working for Jane Garvey, who now co-hosts the drivetime show on Radio 5 Live. He returned to Radio 1 in 2003 after a two-year stint at Capital Radio.
Mr Cooper's promotion is part of a shakeup of executive management at Radio 1 and 1Xtra.
Lorna Clarke, the festival director of the BBC Electric Proms, is becoming head of programmes 1Xtra, while Ian Parkinson, who is currently head of 1Xtra and specialist music at Radio 1, becomes head of editorial standards across Radio 1 and 1Xtra, as well as overseeing music development projects for BBC Radio and Music Interactive.
Mr Parkinson will report to Mr Parfitt and Simon Nelson, controller radio and music interactive.
Wilber Wilberforce, who is currently editor of 1Xtra, becomes the digital station's deputy head of programmes.
Mr Parfitt said the appointments would "futureproof both networks and ensure that the strategy for Radio 1 and 1Xtra are delivered effectively".
His responsibilities have expanded beyond Radio 1, after he was chosen by director general Mark Thompson to be his new "teen tsar".
Overseeing a new "teen strategy" aimed at attracting younger viewers to the BBC, Mr Parfitt and a small team are working across BBC TV to create drama, comedy, music and news programming aimed specifically at 12- to 16-year-olds.
Radio 1 had 10.58 million listeners in the third quarter of this year, 250,000 up on the same period last year. It had a 9.8% share of the market, down from 10.3% the previous quarter, but up from 9.4% last year.
1Xtra had 394,000 listeners, down 2.7% on the same period last year, despite adding more than 100,000 on the previous quarter. It had a 0.2% share of the audience.
Jenny Abramsky, director of BBC Radio and Music, said the appointments would "give Radio 1 and 1Xtra the creative and innovative leadership the stations need to ensure they continue to thrive in the exciting, but challenging, digital radio world. Ian will now apply his expertise to radio and music interactive, a brilliant asset for the department".
From Guardian Media
Congrats go to Ben, of course.
