BBC Radio 2 has lost one million listeners since Ken Bruce left the station for Greatest Hits Radio, new figures show.
Radio 2 saw its average weekly listeners drop by 7 per cent – from 14.5 million in January to March, to 13.5 million in April to June – the largest quarterly fall for the station since audience research body Rajar resumed collecting data in September 2021.
At the same time, Greatest Hits saw a 13 per cent jump in its average weekly audience, from 5.1 million in January to March, to 5.8 million in April to June – along with a 59 per cent increase year-on-year.
Bruce left Radio 2 in March and started on Bauer Media’s Greatest Hits Radio in April, taking his beloved Popmaster quiz show with him.
Gary Davies stepped in as Radio 2’s mid-morning host until May, when Vernon Kay took over the role full-time. The station has also launched a new Popmaster rival, called Ten to the Top.
Why did Ken Bruce leave Radio 2?
Bruce spent 31 years as Radio 2’s mid-morning presenter, but announced his decision to leave back in January.
Radio 2 tweeted at the time: “We have some news… After 31 years of presenting the 9.30am-midday weekday show Ken Bruce has decided to leave.
“We’re going to miss you lots Ken and want to congratulate you on a fantastic career at the BBC.”
Bruce said he left the BBC because he wanted to continue his career “in a slightly different way in the next few years”.
He added: “It’s been a tremendously happy time for me. I’ve made many friends and worked with many wonderful colleagues.
“I would stress that this is entirely my decision but some new opportunities have come up. I will always be very proud of my association with the BBC and Radio 2 in particular, and I’d like to thank everyone who has helped to make the mid-morning show a success.”
Bruce had planned to work until the end of his contract at the end of March, but the BBC asked him to leave a few weeks early.
“I had intended fulfilling my contract until the end of March but the BBC has decided it wants me to leave earlier. Let’s enjoy the week ahead!” he said at the time. His final show was on Friday 3 March.
Bruce said he had been given “no explanation” for his early departure. BBC insiders say it was not practical to allow Bruce the “long goodbye” he wanted.
According to some reports, the BBC thought any additional time Bruce spent on air amounted to free advertising for Greatest Hits.
When is Ken Bruce on Greatest Hits Radio?
Bruce is on air every weekday in the mid-morning slot, from 10am until 1pm.
According to the Greatest Hits website, the station can be found on FM and DAB. You can access the specific regional frequencies for the show on Planet Radio.
For those without a radio, the station can be accessed via their website or on the free app for iPhone or Android. It can also be found on Freeview channel 716 and Sky channel 0151.
Bruce will also host a new Greatest Hits Radio station entirely dedicated to music from the 60s, it has been announced.
Ken Bruce’s Secret 60s will be the first time that a station has ever been solely focused on music from the decade.
The new station promises to showcase the “most iconic songs and legendary singers” of the era, from the Beatles to the Rolling Stones, alongside some hidden gems. It is due to launch on Friday, but will only be available to Greatest Hits Radio premium subscribers.
Bruce, 72, said: “Don’t tell the bosses but I’ve been sneaking the odd 60s record into my show for a while now, so the fact that I’ve got a whole station to now play with is very exciting.
“You can expect the greatest hits, obviously, but also some buried treasure you haven’t heard in a while. I’m sure many people will agree it’s the soundtrack of our youth.”