Radio 1 controller Andy Parfitt is to leave the station and the BBC, after thirteen years with the nation’s favourite, and 30 years with the Beeb. He says its time to “pursue new opportunities”. He’s probably right.
It’s big news in some ways. Not immediately for the day to day running of Radio 1 or spin off 1Xtra, as Ben Cooper will become Acting Controller at both stations, and as Parfitt’s deputy he’s been pretty much running the shop for some time now after his boss’s remit grew to cover other areas of the Beeb’s youth and pop output. Cooper will also be a favourite to take over from Parfitt permanently.
That said, one blockage to cost saving plans recently put forward by former commercial radio man John Myers when he reviewed the BBC’s music radio operations, that management at the Beeb’s national music stations be more closely integrated, was that Parfitt had become a powerful player at the Corporation, as had Radio 2 boss Bob Shennan, and who would run things if the leadership of Radios 1 and 2 were merged?
Although overall BBC Radio chief Tim Davie said the management integration proposal wasn’t a goer when Myers’ report was published, Parfitt’s departure might make such a plan more viable.
And of course, some, albeit outside the Beeb, have wondered for sometime whether Radio 1 needs another ‘Bannister moment’, a new controller who, like Matthew Bannister in the mid-90s, can clear out the old-timers at the youth station and instigate a radically new on-air sound. Parfitt was certainly a safe pair of hands running Radio 1 – and good ratings have been achieved as a result – but some wonder whether he was far too safe. Of course, it seems unlikely that Cooper would be a new Bannister, but if an outsider was brought in to replace Parfitt it could happen.
So, exciting times to come, perhaps. But for now, a quote from Parfitt: “I am immensely proud to have held this position and I leave with all three stations [he oversaw the Asian Network too] in great shape with their listening figures at record highs and following a great BBC wide Glastonbury event. I’m most proud of the incredible teams I’m leaving behind – a group of talented, hardworking, creative and inspirational people who are a credit to the BBC”.
Sections: Media | Tags: Andy Parfitt, BBC, Radio 1
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