Feedback

Do you know which Hitchcock film features a scene set at the very top of the statue of Liberty? No? Well, according to several listeners the producers of Radio 4's landmark series The New Elizabethans don't either. Listeners think they have spotted a clutch of factual inaccuracies in the series. In the first of the new series of Feedback, Roger asks the editor Andrew Smith if they are right. He also discusses the reservations of one listener who actually featured in the series, the New Elizabethan Professor Stuart Hall. How is the BBC performing in the marathon that is this summer of sport? In the brief lull between the Olympics and Paralympic Games we hear your verdict on the coverage. And why were listeners abroad unable to hear many Radio 4 programmes when the Games began?Plus the latest instalment of Operation Drop Out, and Feedback wants to have its very own jingle. All musical (and non-musical) styles accepted. Please send us your magnum opuses. Or should that be magna opera?Presenter: Roger BoltonProdu

Are sensational storylines ruining The Archers? Some listeners think familiar characters are acting out of character, simply to crank up the tension. Roger Bolton meets Acting Editor John Yorke and longstanding Archers' writer Keri Davies, to ask at what point does the dramatic veer into the unbelievable?With only three weeks to go until the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Roger talks to 5 Live's Controller Adrian Van Klaveren about the network's preparations for covering the world's biggest sporting event. He also puts other listener questions to 5 Live's boss. Is the network over-infatuated with Richard Bacon? And is the station alienating its older listeners?Finally, what is it with the Today programme presenters and telling the time? Why so many slip ups? Feedback visits Justin Webb at the Today studios to investigate and ensure the correct time-telling instruments are present and correct. This is the last in the current series of Feedback, but the team are still keen to hear from you over the break, so do

The History of an Epic Struggle: last week marked the end of Richard Holloway's 20-part Honest Doubt series, which explored 3,000 years of faith jostling with doubt. It had a profound effect on many Radio 4 listeners. A one-sided attack on Christianity, or an insightful exploration of an often controversial subject? Roger talks to Richard Holloway, and the editor behind the commission, Radio 4's Jane Ellison.From the spiritual to the virtual, big changes to all 55 of the BBC Radio websites are scheduled for the Autumn, but web users are getting a sneak peak by using a Beta version of the sites - a test version which runs alongside the old sites. Roger uploads a friendly, virtual companion to help him navigate the new websites and discovers what changes will be made in conversation with Mark Friend, controller of BBC Audio and Music Interactive.And, we follow up on Drop Out Watch. Keen-eared listeners have been in touch with more examples of content cut short by technical glitches. And Roger receives a listene

Does Radio 1 have too many celebrity presenters? Are they too old? And is Chris Moyles going to leave the Breakfast Show? In this week's Feedback two listeners meet controller Ben Cooper and quiz him about his station. Plus, as Radio 1's Hackney Weekend music festival comes to East London, Roger finds out what Radio and 1Xtra are doing to encourage new radio talent. Presenter Chantelle Jones tells him why she thought someone from her background could never be on the radio.Last weekend Radio 4 had a Bloomfest to mark Bloomsday, celebrating James Joyce's novel with a five and a half hour dramatisation. Was it awesome or awful? We put your reactions to the commissioning editor for drama, Jeremy Howe, and ask him if he plans to give any other novels the one day treatment.Plus, we launch Drop Out Watch. Many listeners feel the number of programmes dropping off air or correspondents disappearing mid-sentence is increasing. Is it? If so, what's the cause? Send us any examples from any BBC network and we will attempt

Do you ever sing along to the radio? Many listeners to BBC Radio 3's Choral evensong confess they love to join in with the hymns - but recently they have suddenly found themselves singing solo. The programme has disappeared off the air without warning on no less than four occasions. Roger Bolton asks Christine Morgan, Head of Radio for Religion and Ethics, to explain what went wrong. Could it happen again?Roger is granted an audience with the golden-throated denizens of Continuity, and puts your questions to announcer Corrie Corfield. What does the job involve? What do they do if something goes wrong? And do they fight to the death for the chance to read the clips on the News Quiz?And after BBC Radio 4's World at One accidentally misattributed an archive clip to Richard Dimbleby, one sharp-eared listener calls Roger to reveal just who the mystery voice is.Producer: Kate Taylor A Whistledown Production for BBC Radio 4.

A right Royal let down? In this week's Feedback, listeners get the chance to express their views on the BBC coverage of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. We hear from many of you who got in touch with the Feedback team to comment on the BBC's handling of the event across the main radio networks. Roger Bolton looks for answers from Alan Yentob, Creative Director of the BBC, and speaks to Kevin Marsh, a former Editor of Today, about how coverage of major events like this are planned.Is Albert Square really coming to Ambridge? John Yorke, controller of BBC drama production, is acting editor of the Archers and his comments about darker storylines have sent ripples through the programme's loyal fan base. And Roger talks to Tony Phillips, the Commissioning Editor behind BBC Radio 4's landmark series The Listening Project. The idea of capturing the nation in conversation has entranced many - but raised questions about scheduling and presentation. Presenter: Roger BoltonProducer: Kate Taylor A Whistledown Production for B

Have you ever listened to the radio and felt that what you were hearing was too private for broadcast? In the first of the new series of Feedback, Roger is joined by a group of programme makers to discuss how they tread the line between gripping radio - and exploitation. Editor Philip Sellars discusses Radio 4's recent series The Trouble with Kane, which follows the treatment of a twelve year old boy arrested for cannabis possession. Editor Louisa Compton talks about Victoria Derbyshire's 5Live broadcast from an abortion clinic. And Foreign Correspondent Mike Thomson describes a harrowing interview with a woman who had suffered greatly at the hands of rebel Rwandan soldiers.As the BBC's Delivering Quality First plans are finally approved, Feedback listener Andy Boddington asks the managing editor of his local station, BBC Radio Shropshire, what impact the cuts will have.And we hear a plea for restraint in the face of the Jubilee jamboree.Presenter: Roger BoltonProducer: Kate Taylor A Whistledown Production fo

Radio 4's forum for comments, queries, criticisms and congratulations. Presented by Roger Bolton, this is the place to air your views on the things you hear on BBC Radio. The extension of World at One, changes to Saturday morning programmes and thoughts on the next Director General of the BBC - Gwyneth Williams, the controller of Radio 4 takes listeners' questions and gives her thoughts on what this summer holds for her network. Making the unmissable... er... missable. Why were so many programmes not available on iPlayer last weekend and why had so many podcasts gone awol? Was everyone on holiday? Young news junkies form a Feedback Listening Club to pick apart Radio 1's Newsbeat programme. More tense discussion over use of the historic present on In Our Time, Midweek and The Long View. Producers: Kate Taylor and Karen Pirie A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4.

Presented by Roger BoltonCan anything be done to make Radio 4 comedy appeal to a wider audience? The writers of Ed Reardon's Week and North by Northamptonshire, along with Radio 4's comedy commissioning editor, discuss. The BBC's Complaints system is being overhauled. Find out more about how you can have your say on what needs to be done to make it better. It's been five months since BBC local radio listeners first complained about the strange clicks, crackle and pops they hear when listening online. So why is it still not fixed? The man in charge tries to explain what's gone wrong. And the producer of Start the Week explains how she goes about slashing a third of the programme every week for the shortened evening repeat.Producer: Karen Pirie A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4.

Last week critics of Radio 4's Count Arthur Strong aired their views - and outraged his many fans. They contacted the programme in droves, demanding satisfaction. So, in this week's programme the Count's supporters meet his detractors for a fight to the comedy death - well nearly. Which side will win? Is the programme Strong or weak? Roger Bolton officiates and there is a special appearance from Count Arthur himself.Roger meets Today presenter Justin Webb and 5Live's Victoria Derbyshire to discuss the delicate art of interviewing ordinary people with extraordinary stories to tell.And is In Our Time killing the past tense? By repeatedly discussing past events in the present tense, worried listeners feel that the programme may permanently mangle the language.Presenter: Roger BoltonProducers: Karen Pirie and Kate Taylor A Whistledown Production for BBC Radio 4.

Who are all those people laughing on Count Arthur Strong's Radio 4 comedy show? Not Feedback listeners who want to know why he's still on air after seven series.Listeners find all the spin and speculation ahead of Wednesday's budget a turn-off. Can't we just wait until we actually know what the Chancellor is going to say they wonder?Paddy O'Connell opens the doors of Broadcasting House during a special recording of the programme at the More Than Words Festival in Bristol. But does anyone want to come in?And are the pauses in The Archers getting longer and what could you fill them with?Presenter: Roger BoltonProducers: Karen Pirie and Kate Taylor A Whistledown Production for BBC Radio 4.

After The Now Show this week tackled gay marriage, child abuse and the Catholic church some Feedback listeners contacted us with concerns. Roger asks Jane Berthoud, BBC Radio's head of comedy, how her team assesses controversial material and whether in this case the right decisions were made.Robust and challenging - or simply a slanging match? When presenter Justin Webb first joined the Today programme he said he'd be gentle and let politicians have their say. Then he changed his mind. In this week's programme he joins BBC Radio 5Live's Victoria Derbyshire to discuss the difference between aggression and persistence in the political interview.And after many Feedback listeners reported hearing the repeated use of "Facades" by composer Philip Glass in an array BBC Radio programmes. we finally hear from the man himself. Ahead of his installment as BBC Radio 3's Composer of the Week, Philip Glass offers his own slightly surreal insight into the popularity of this particular piece.Presenter: Roger BoltonProducers:

This week the news carried tough stories about the situation in Syria, and about the death of 15 year old Kristy Bamu, at the hands of his sister and her partner. Too much information said some listeners, especially as some reports did not include a warning about the graphic content. Several other reports did carry a warning - which other listeners found patronising. Richard Clark, head of the BBC Radio Newsroom, tells Roger why a warning may or may not be added, and why he feels it can be the right decision to include disturbing detail. He also tackles your objections about the amount of coverage being given to the US presidential primaries.Is it the end of the road for BBC Radio 2's traffic reports? With websites, apps and local radio providing up to the minute information that's relevant to you wherever you are, some listeners think the end is nigh for traffic on national radio. Sally Boazman, aka Sally Traffic, tells Roger in no uncertain terms why she and her ilk are still providing a vital service.And o

The fate of BBC local radio is once more under the microscope this week, as independent media consultant John Myers publishes his report on the best way to cut costs and keep quality. He recommends scrapping the plan to share afternoon programmes across regions, and suggests that cutting back on management could save two million pounds. Roger meets David Holdsworth, the controller of English Regions, to find out what this will mean for listeners.As the BBC World Service turns 80, it has thrown open the doors to its news conference. For the first time the daily meeting where editors discuss the news agenda was broadcast around the world. Feedback went along to find out how much the great and the good consider what the audience wants to hear.And do you know your Angry Birds from your Grand Theft Auto? On BBC Radio 4 a recent edition of Front Row focused on computer games. About time too said many listeners. So will there be more discussion of the topic in the future? Roger meets editor John Goudie to find out.P

Radio 4's forum for comments, queries, criticisms and congratulations.Presented by Roger Bolton, this is the place to air your views on the things you hear on BBC Radio. This programme's content is entirely directed by you.Producer: Karen Pirie A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4.

Did the death of singer Whitney Houston and the acquittal of football manager Harry Redknapp deserve to top the news bulletins? Many listeners feel that important events at home and abroad were shunted aside unjustifiably. In this week's Feedback Roger asks Mary Hockaday, head of the BBC's newsroom, whether the right decisions were made.During a particularly robust episode of the Moral Maze, many listeners felt debate gave way to a dust-up. Michael Buerk tells Roger how he tries - and sometimes fails - to ensure the discussion generates more light than heat.Last week teacher Deborah Mole and her student Kevin agreed to listen exclusively to each other's favourite station for a whole week. After a traumatic week of BBC 1Xtra for her and BBC 6Music for him they reveal what the experience has taught them.Plus by special request there's a soul-stirring valentine's message from velvet-voiced announcer Zeb Soanes ...Presenter: Roger BoltonProducers: Karen Pirie and Kate Taylor A Whistledown production for BBC Radio

Have you ever settled down to listen to a programme on iPlayer - only to find that the last two minutes have been chopped off? Or had to wade through several minutes of unrelated content before your chosen programme begins? In this week's Feedback Roger Bolton asks Andrew Scott, Head of Radio and Music for Future Media, why iPlayer editing is letting listeners down.There are five months still to go until the Olympics, but have Radio 4 listeners already had enough of sport? Following Clare Balding's series Sport and the British - and her appearance on Midweek - Roger hears from listeners who want to keep the station a sport-free zone. And the Feedback Listening Club returns, with three listeners gathering to discuss Radio 4's Saturday Live. If you'd like to take part in a Listening Club, please contact the programme.Plus a new Radioswap begins, as teacher Deborah Mole agrees to swap BBC 6Music for her student Kevin's favourite station, 1Xtra. Tune in next week to find out how they get on.Presenter: Roger Bolto

A clearer focus on news and more coverage of minority sports. That's the order from the BBC Trust, which has just completed its review of 5Live. Do you agree? The recent audience research RAJAR report shows a drop in the station's listening figures. So we find out if listeners think the Trust has got the answer.Are you experiencing a sense of deja entendu? When it comes to radio dramas, many listeners feel the rate of repeats has increased. Roger asks Jeremy Howe, commissioning editor of Radio 4 drama, if we really have heard it all before. And while From Our Own Correspondent almost always gets it right, should the correspondent have been reporting on a wedding so soon after an attempted coup? Roger talks to editor Tony Grant about finding the stories behind the headlines.And a listener wants to apply for the job of Director General of the BBC. She says she'd spend the salary on programmes. What would you do?Presenter: Roger BoltonProducers: Karen Pirie and Kate Taylor A Whistledown Production for BBC Radio

The decision to end Radio 4's Home Planet has dismayed many listeners. The programme has been answering listeners' environmental science questions for the last 10 years. This week two listeners meet commissioning editor Mohit Bakaya to ask - what on earth is going on? They also talk to the newly appointed science editor David Shukman about his plans for science on BBC radio.And Happy 70th Birthday Desert Island Discs. Executive producer Cathy Drysdale tells Roger how this weekend - each BBC local radio station as well as BBC Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales are running special programmes dedicated to the music choices and personal stories of hundreds of listeners. We also hear your reactions to news that the BBC Trust has ordered BBC managers to rethink cuts to local radio budgets. Presenter: Roger BoltonProducers: Karen Pirie and Kate Taylor A Whistledown Production for BBC Radio 4.

The Radio 2 breakfast show is normally captained by Chris Evans. But, during a recent absence, Richard Madeley filled the presenter chair instead - and many listeners wish he hadn't. In the first programme of the new series, Roger Bolton talks to Lewis Carnie, head of programmes at Radio 2, about the delicate business of finding suitable stand-in presenters.After countless tales of woe from listeners trying to contact programmes, Roger issues a challenge to Radio 4's network manager Denis Nowlan. Can he negotiate the website and deliver a listener's message? And will it be read? Feedback, of course, faithfully reads every message, so do send in your experiences, whether of triumph or disaster, of contacting any programme on any BBC station.And what are your hopes and fears for radio in 2012? Listeners share their aspirations, and presenter Jane Garvey provides a sneak peak of what 2012 will hold for Woman's Hour listeners. Presenter: Roger BoltonProducers: Karen Pirie and Kate Taylor A Whistledown production