We all had high hopes of french frank's email to the powers that be, however, confirmation of the new regime has been received, and I post below Host's message:

"There's been lots of speculation about the significance of the planned message board changes and concern about what would be considered off topic.

Each of the new topics relates directly to a Radio 3 programme. Community members will be able to start threads on any subject within the compass of that show.

I think that the main difference regular members of the community will notice is that programme team members will have a much greater presence on the boards and will be seeking input from other members of the message board community for use on air."

Now seeing as won't be listening to any of those shows I feel effectively that the BBC has disenfranchised me from commenting about the majority of Radio 3s output except via the standard form from which you get an email saying "thank you for your input.  Not all emails are read, blah, blah, blah

Milly, as I have just posted on the other MB, I have learnt what I know from the MB and the posters there and I feel really sad that others won't get the benefit of what I have had, which is an education.

As for not being able to discuss Afternoon Performance, or Po3 or the Opera I am actually speechless.

Plus, for example, the new 10 part series on Britten and the various interpretations.  There are loads of Britten fans on R3 but, again, no Speech MB.

In my view the BBC have become more arrogant and more arrogant over the last 20 years.  They have forgotten that they are "in effect" a Public Service" paid for by us via a form of compulsory fees whether we actually use their services or not.    I have never accepted any form of discourtesy from anybody or any organisation I am paying and I do not expect to be ignored if I am footing the bill.  The manner in which this whole sorry incident has been carried out is indicative of a lack of courteous "client" appreciation by the BBC.  That is why I am so angry and disappointed.
 

As I said on the other board, the decision has been made and there is nothing we can do about.  So it's a big  from Radio 3 to us MBers

However, the 'focus group' analogy is surely misplaced. They have had what to all intents and purposes is a rapid-reaction focus group on the board already, vocal and critical at times but ready to shower praise where it was due. But Auntie knows best, and much of the most praised programming is banished, whilst the mediocre remains or is increased, with no consultation or explanation whatsoever. It is hardly surprising that many of the regulars sense that they have been treated with unfeeling arrogance; their loyalty and interests have counted for nothing,

Och, Weecalum, so we, none of us, respond to the mbs then?

Perhaps we have been panicking too much?  The message read "Each of the new topics relates directly to a Radio 3 programme. Community members will be able to start threads on any subject within the compass of that show.

Well, for a programme such as 'Breakfast' there must be a lot within the compass for discussion.  Or am I being over optimistic? 

The first Iain Burnside programme this Sunday.  Music includes pieces by Messaien, Vaughan Williams, Ibert, Debussy and Haydn.  Therefore a thread about any of these composers wouldn't be off-topic would it?

I'm certainly going to be posting over there, surely we are all cunning enough to circumnavigate the rules