Forth One clears its decks as major reshuffle announced

A MAJOR reshuffle at radio station Forth One will see the morning show line-up change and the local voices in the evening replaced by nationwide shows.

Jill McLaren, co-host of the hit breakfast show Boogie In The Morning, is to be axed from the slot and replaced by Forth 2 stalwart Arlene Stuart.

Producer Dave Konov, known to listeners as "Dingo", is also to take a back seat and no longer have an on-air presence, although he will continue as producer.

Popular evening Hitlist presenter Mark Martin is also to leave his post as new Forth owner Bauer takes its first steps to integrating its Scottish stations.

Forth listeners will now listen to the same evening show as listeners of Northsound One, Radio Borders, Tay FM and Clyde One.

Duncan Campbell, regional programming director for Bauer in the central belt, said: "We continually evaluate and evolve these shows and this is part of the evolution of Boogie In The Morning.

"Arlene will provide another dimension, which is what we need, particularly given the competition from other breakfast shows.

"She's married with family and will offer a different set of experiences and a broader appeal."

He said that Ms McLaren remains "a friend of the station" with a show on Saturday afternoons.

The set of changes are the first to happen since Bauer assumed control of Radio Forth, and other Scottish local radio stations, from Emap at the turn of the year.

But Mr Campbell, who joined Bauer in May from GCap Media in England, insisted that the evening programming would benefit the quality of output.

He said: "It will still have a Scottish voice, unlike some of our competitors.

"At that time of the night, stations like Forth do struggle to get big names into radio stations.

"By offering the chance to get heard across Scotland, we will be able to get bigger names and provide better content."

When Ms Stuart moves to Forth One on September 8, her Forth 2 slot will be covered by three other shows extending by one hour.

Asked whether the strategy would help reduce costs, Mr Campbell said: "I'd be silly to say that money won't be saved but, in the whole scheme of things, it is not a great deal of money. As far as the programming is concerned, it is the content that is key."

Robert Beveridge, a lecturer in media policy at Napier University, said: "It is not a surprise that this has happened, and Bauer aren't to be blamed as it is happening to other local radio stations across the UK.

"What should be thought about now is the role of regulator Ofcom: to what degree should it look to reserve control for the regions?

"There is still demand (for local radio] because people get tired of the same old stuff and want broadcasting that speaks to and for them.

"In the east of Scotland, for example, people say they will go out to get their messages. They want people (on radio] to speak to them like that and use these phrases. It makes for a closer relationship."