Things change as darkness falls!

They certainly do here at Boom. Our evening programmes have a rather special feel – and we’re often asked why that is.

As ever, we are driven by our audience tastes and behaviour.  We know that in the evening, audience levels for Boom - just like the majority of radio stations - will be appreciably lower. After all, it’s when people are most likely to be doing other things, whether it’s having your evening meal or putting on the TV. It’s certainly peak TV viewing time when the BBC and the commercial TV companies wheel out their big dramas and soaps.  

So, we know that most of Boom Radio’s regular weekly listeners are not listening to Boom – or indeed listening to radio at all. Just as most of Radio 2’s weekly listeners are doing other things than listening to Radio 2.

So, we do something a little different with what’s often called ‘destination programming’ -  something just that little bit special which some listeners may make that little extra effort to listen to.  Rather like how John Peel’s programme used to occupy the late slot on Radio 1 years ago – when Tony Blackburn’s audience were likely doing other things.

And – as it’s special – we accept it may not be to everyone’s taste. That’s fine! Radio is a free buffet and not every diner will enjoy every dish. Most listeners will be doing other things anyway so they won’t mind – but those who like the sound of our special evening offering are probably free to listen should they choose – and the programmes will therefore, in time, earn us an unhealthy share of the actual available evening radio audience.

Our Easy Hour has been in place from 8-9 since we launched – a Mike Wyer idea originally which has grown to 7 days a week. It was well-received at the start and continues to be. An hour of fine, high-quality easy melodies at a particular time of night. We fondly recall the genuine email from a listener who wanted us to move the programme to suit her earlier mealtime.

On Sunday evenings, the Choices programme is the one time of the week when we talk more. Phil Riley invites those from our generation who’ve achieved much in their field to share their life and pick tracks that mean a lot to them.  That programme is so different from all else we do that it seemed to take listeners by surprise when we began – but it’s settled in now and we receive a lot of really positive feedback.

We don’t have too many specialist music programmes – but we do squeeze in two hours of Soul on a Saturday from 7. In honesty, the programme was destined to have a presenter originally, but for various reasons that did not happen. It therefore began with music back-to-back five years ago – but the response has been astounding.  To quote the feedback you often shout at us ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ so we don’t plan to change that show – and our content director Paul Robey continues to caress the music choices by hand each week.

Most recently, Malcolm Prince, Paul O’ Grady’s much-loved producer, moved to the front of the stage to host Malcolm’s Musicals & Movies – a weekly hour of iconic showstoppers, majestic overtures, and fabulous finales. It’s early days, but we’re really pleased – and I know Malcolm wants to thank you for your warm comments.

The evenings give us scope for the one-off specials too – whether we’re celebrating 70 years of Eurovision with Dana – or 200 years of the modern railway with Les Ross.

At Boom, we have always tried to deliver a rich offering, consistent yet surprising – and our evening programmes are part of that promise. Do dip in when you hear about something that appeals.

We hope it’s all part of why we are one of the UK’s most loyally listened to radio stations! Thank you.