BBC Trust: ‘Protests could save BBC 6 Music

BBC Trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons has said that a “strong reaction” against the proposed closure of digital station 6 Music could lead to a U-turn in the BBC’s plans. Yesterday, BBC director general Mark Thompson confirmed that 6 Music and its sister station BBC Asian Network are facing the axe as part of a major overhaul of the corporation.
Thompson said that 6 Music “competes head on for a commercially valuable audience” and so its closure would “recognise the lead role that commercial radio plays in serving popular music to 30 to 50-year-old audiences”.

The Trust is now running a 12-week public consultation on the plans, before it ultimately decides which of Thompson’s recommendations should be put into action.
However, the closure of 6 Music has been met with uproar from various quarters, including broadcasters, industry bodies, musicians and listeners all calling for the station to be saved.
A petition against the planned cuts, launched by the 38 Degrees campaign group, has already attracted over 10,000 signatures, while around 90,000 people have joined a “Save BBC 6 Music” group on Facebook.