The historic Sunday evening chart show on BBC Radio 1 will be no more from this Summer as the programme moves to Friday.
And there’s a change in presenter too, with Greg James dropping his usual drivetime format for a Top 40 countdown between 4pm and 6pm.
The changes are being made because the worldwide music industry decided to change the day new music is released from Sunday to Friday. No announcements have been made as yet on the future of the Vodafone Big Top 40 – commercial radio’s Sunday evening chart show.
The drivetime countdown will endeavour to play at least the top 20 in full, but won’t have time to play the entire top 40 so will choose selected songs instead. Greg says: “The chart must feel like it’s providing news, not just confirmation of something the listeners already knew.”
Former BBC Radio 1 Chart Show host Bruno Brooks told RadioToday: “Shame that Clara could not establish a style however Greg has the chance to change the Sunday perception and create a buzz around a new day!”
Bruno presented the chart from 1986 to 1990 then again from ’92 to ’95. Before him it was hosted (under different programme names) by Alan Freeman, Tom Browne, Simon Bates, Tony Blackburn, Tommy Vance and Richard Skinner. After him, Mark Goodier, Wes Butters, JK and Joel, Fearne Cotton/Reggie Yates, Jameela Jamil and Clara Amfo were in the hot seat.
Cover presenters over the years have included Ed Stewart, Johnnie Walker, Paul Burnett, Andy Peebles, Gary Davies, Tommy Vance, Neale James, Clive Warren, Dave Pearce, Judge Jules, Scott Mills, Jo Whiley, Chris Moyles, Emma B, Mark Radcliffe, Sara Cox, Nemone, Tim Westwood, John Peel, Colin Murray, Vernon Kay, DJ Spoony, Nemone, Dev, Huw Stephens and Greg James.
Controller Ben Cooper said is was a good move: “If anything this gives the chart a new lease of life, it gives it an exposure to a new audience on a Friday afternoon and it gives it a new presenter and it gives it a new format. It’s going to have to be tighter and slicker.”
Who was your favourite Sunday evening chart presenter? Let us know in the comments.
Here’s a classic Bruno Brookes full top 40 countdown: