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Primedia and other media companies are having to downsize as part of restructuring amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
JOHANNESBURG – Primedia Broadcasting acting CEO Geraint Crwys-Williams said on Monday there was no purge at the company.
Crwys-Williams said recent changes to Radio 702’s programming were aimed at taking the station back to its roots to make it more authentic in order to reach a diverse group of listeners, and was based on the needs of the audience.
Primedia and other media companies across the country are reducing staff as part of a restructuring process amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the Section 189 process, the company announced the departure of veteran broadcaster Aki Anastasiou. Radio 702 presenter Joanne Joseph was the victim of a lineup change.
Some listeners on social media had threatened to boycott the station over Anastasiou’s departure. Many also accused Primedia of failing to give him a proper farewell.
Crwys-Williams admitted that the matter could have been handled better.
“I think in this case an agreement was reached within 48 hours after Aki left, but that is no excuse, we should have done better,” said Crwys-Williams. “I think we have been trapped in the situation without really understanding what our media strategy should be. I think a press release, for example, could have been published. “
#Primedia Acting CEO Geraint Crwys-Williams reacts to recent changes in @ Radio702 saying it is aimed at:
• return the station to its roots.
• making it more authentic.
• reach a more diverse group of listeners.– EWN reporter (@ewnreporter) August 31, 2020
He said the lineup changes were led by listeners.
“Over the last year or two, if you take a look at our viewership numbers, they have decreased to a certain extent and we needed to understand why. And that poll and the focus groups that we conducted in January of this year gave us the directionality that necessary, “said Crwys-Williams. “The changes we’ve made are listener-driven changes and are based on what listeners require of us.”
Crwys-Williams said listeners were clear about what they wanted to hear on Radio 702.
“That we need to introduce a little softer tone to the radio station, while we must continue the political conversations and have those difficult conversations. We also need positive human interest discussions and conversations and we must also reconnect with the pursuit of our own. community roots, “he said.
He also said it was unfortunate that the company had to part ways with some staff members.
“We launched a Section 189 downsizing process, which is obviously very regrettable. We are not the first or the last company to do this as a result of [COVID-19]. And I think those two issues have been combined in some of the media reports, ”Crwys-Williams said.
Listen to Geraint Crwys-Williams’ full interview on Radio 702 below:
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