The Radio Academy Awards boasts more judges than reunion night at the Old Bailey. The list of names reaches the lengths of a telephone directory. When they sit around the table to discuss the Sony Awards, they need megaphones to communicate their opinions. I understand that Trevor Dann uses semaphore flags to indicate when it’s time for a tea break.
Since the (leaked) announcement of the Award for UK Station of the Year on Monday, there has been criticism in some corners of the media, based on the view that 5 Live is a station in transition and thus not fully eligible for the receipt of an award that encompasses a year of achievement. Yet it is this very point that reinforces the judgement.
After the Wogan-Evans-Mayo-Bacon moves, it would have been understandable if 5 had seen a significant downturn in both confidence and RAJAR audience statistics. That the station has sounded refreshed and renewed is a tribute to the measured evolution that controller Adrian Van Klaveren has overseen during his two years in the post. The loss of Simon Mayo in particular, was a heavy blow, but the move of Richard Bacon to the afternoon slot has been astute, as his eccentric but sharp style has meant that the enormous hole in the schedule has been filled with a personality to soften the impact.
Van Klaveren uses the Sir Alex Ferguson style of maintaining a winning team by mixing the older, more experienced members of the squad with a sprinkling of new, youthful talent (perhaps not quite so youthful in terms of the placement of Tony Livesey in the late night slot). The controller also deserves much credit for allowing presenters who have made a rather shaky start, the time to gain experience and grow into the job.
Currently, 5 live sounds confident, energetic and solid. Unlike Radio Four, where programmes are usually bigger than the presenters, 5 live relies heavily on the personality of each of its team to underpin the diversity of the programming.
Significant contributions to 5’s success begin with the breakfast combination of the outstanding Shelagh Fogarty, and Nicky Campbell, who in recent years has loosened the collar of self regard and has almost become rather self effacing.
In the afternoon, Richard Bacon’s quirky manner belies a razor sharp intelligence and a delightful honesty. Bacon has the enviable talent of putting his guests at ease as soon as he interacts with them.
5 live Drive brings the droll charms of veteran Peter Allen, usually paired with Anita Anand, but whilst the latter has been away on maternity leave, Aasmah Mir has proved an outstanding find. Her lively Scottish tone keeping even Peter Allen on his toes – they work splendidly as a team, with mutual respect and warmth very evident.
The re-hiring of Danny Baker (long overdue) is perhaps Adrian Van Klaveren’s most farsighted signing, for Danny has a unique style in reaching out to listeners.
5 live richly deserves its award, and with its outstanding coverage of the recent General Election, and the World Cup to come, it could even be a smart move to bet on 5 retaining the title in 2011.
Terence Dackombe May 2010
