“The best job in British radio” – Jonathan Wall appointed Controller of BBC Radio 5 live
Jonathan Wall has been appointed as Controller of BBC Radio 5 live and 5 live sports extra. Based at MediaCityUK, Wall takes up the post immediately, having worked as Acting Controller of the station.
Wall will have overall responsibility for the editorial and strategic direction of both Radio 5 live and sports extra and will sit on both the BBC North board as well as the BBC Radio board.
“Jonathan has shown enormous commitment to BBC Radio 5 live already and now earns the right to take on one of the best Controller roles in the BBC,” said Peter Salmon, Director of BBC North who Wall will report to.
“He played a crucial role in the highly successful move of the station to Salford and helped build a talent roster and schedule that has just clocked up a record number of successive quarters of over six million listeners.
“More than anything, Jonathan has a passion for Radio 5 live’s audience and I am certain he is going to make a superb station leader.”
Jonathan Wall began his career at BBC Radio Humberside before moving into BBC Sport. He later became Editor, 5live Sport, before being appointed Deputy Controller and Commissioning Editor, 5 live, in July 2008.
“It’s a privilege to be given this opportunity – for me the best job in British radio,” Wall said of his appointment. “I inherit a station in good health after the successful move to Salford and the wonderful London 2012 coverage. We have the potential to build on all of that and grow even stronger.
“I want to wake up every day knowing we are delivering live radio that you don’t hear anywhere else in the UK. We will look to make a bigger impact with our news journalism and continue to bring people together for major events off and on air. I have a wonderfully committed and supportive team to help achieve all this with and am looking forward to getting started.”
He replaces Adrian van Klaveren who has taken over responsibility for the BBC’s forthcoming coverage of the centenary of the First World War.
In January 2013, Radio 5 live recorded a reach of 6.12 million, up slightly from 6.10 million the previous quarter. It was the 16th consecutive quarter that Radio 5 live has recorded reach figures of more than six million.
Its sister station, Radio 5 live sports extra, recorded a 37.5% year-on-year growth to reach 847,000 listeners a week, slightly down from its record Olympic quarter of one million but an increase from 616,000 last year.
The station played a pivotal role in the BBC’s much-praised coverage of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, with nearly eight million listeners enjoying the action on 5 live, 5 live sports extra and 5 live Olympics Extra.