After enduring months of heated criticism from classical music lovers, the CBC is going through with plans to revamp its Radio 2 network by cutting back on classical and adding jazz, roots, singer-songwriter and other genres into the mix.

Rich Terfry — better known as Buck 65 — will host Radio 2 Drive weekday afternoons from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., playing new music from emerging Canadian acts as well as established artists like K'naan, Ron Sexsmith and Kathleen Edwards. Canadian music will make up 75 per cent of the eclectic show.

“I don’t think there’s any station in Canada that’s going to play the range of music that we’re playing,” says CBC Radio programming director Chris Boyce. “For listeners, I think it provides more choice and access to Canadian music than exists anywhere right now…. For Canadian musicians, I think the upside is increased airtime and access to a national audience.”

Trombonist and writer Tom Allen will host Radio 2 Morning weekday mornings from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., “a mix of contemporary artists and familiar favourites,” according to the CBC. Classical remains on the network in a 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekday slot titled Tempo, hosted by mezzo-soprano Julie Nesrallah. Celebrated CBC host Jurgen Goethe and jazz songstress Molly Johnson will have their own weekend shows as well.

“At the end of the day, classical music remains the single most-played genre of music on the network,” says Boyce. He’s optimistic the new programming will get a warm reception from Canadians. “A lot of what’s happened over the last couple of months has been people sort of speculating about what we’re doing. Hopefully people will hear it on September 2 and judge for themselves.”