BBC Radio 1 Drops Sara Cox From Breakfast Show
BBC Radio 1 has announced that Sara Cox is being replaced as host of the station’s flagship breakfast show after listening figures reportedly dropped by half a million.
Cox will be replaced by drivetime host, Chris Moyles, who will move into the early morning slot at the beginning of next year.
The shake-up will see Cox remain at Radio 1 to present Moyles’ current afternoon show, which broadcasts from 3pm to 5.45pm throughout the week.
Andy Parfitt, controller of Radio 1, said: “I am absolutely delighted that Chris has agreed to host the new breakfast show. He was my first and only choice as successor to Sara who has done a great job over the last three and a half years.”
Commenting on her departure, Cox said: “I have had a great time doing the breakfast show over the last few years but I have to say the thought of finally being able to have a lie-in is extremely appealing.”
The announcement comes just months after the latest RAJAR listening figures for the three months to June 2003 revealed that Radio 1 saw its weekly reach decline by 6.2% year on year to drop below the 10 million mark for the first time.
Analysis of the data over a longer four year period shows that the youth-orientated station has seen its weekly reach decline significantly from 2000 levels, when it attracted well over 11 million listeners.
Last week Capital Radio has confirmed that Chris Tarrant is to leave his job as presenter of the group’s flagship weekday breakfast show after seventeen years. He will be replaced by former Big Breakfast presenter, Johnnny Vaughan, who has signed a three year deal to present the breakfast show from Spring 2004 (see Capital Confirms Tarrant Is To Leave Breakfast Show).
BBC: 020 8743 8000 www.bbc.co.uk
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