Beeb Confirms Plans to Close 6 Music – Other BBC Stations to Boost Music Output
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Tuesday, 02 March 2010 |
Written by TJ Ireland
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The BBC has confirmed digital radio station 6 Music is facing closure.
BBC director general Mark Thompson confirmed the plans today despite massive opposition from listeners and allegations of ‘cultural vandalism’ from the station’s founder, Phil Jupitus.
The BBC’s latest cost-cutting plans, published today, recommends the closure of 6 Music, teen TV networks Blast! and BBC Switch, as well as the Asian Network by 2011.
But in a series of concessions to music fans, the plans contain recommendations on how the BBC can transfer 6 Music’s ‘most distinctive programmes’ to other stations.
Radio One must ‘increase its commitment to UK music, new music and live performance,’ the report says, while Radio 2 will shift ‘more specialist music programming into higher profile slots.’
The plan also suggests that TV channels BBC One, Two and Four will ‘refocus’ more output towards music and the arts.
Since The Times revealed the plans on Friday, more music stars have joined the growing opposition to the closure of 6 Music.
Bequiffed pop star La Roux was quoted as saying: ‘If you get rid of 6 Music I lose all faith in the Radio industry,’ while DJ Mark Ronson told the BBC: ‘People on that station love music.’
The ‘Save BBC 6Music’ Facebook group now almost 90,000 members. A petition being sent to BBC chief Sir Michael Lyons has gained 17,000 signatures and thousands of complaints have been sent to the BBC, the Metro reports.
Various trade unions and the shadow culture secretary Ed Vaizey are also opposing the cuts. NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
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