BBC 6 Music saved from closure

BBC 6 Music has been granted a reprieve with the BBC Trust announcing that the station will stay on the air pending a broader review of the broadcaster’s digital radio activities.

Trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons today said that the case for the closure of 6 Music had not been made.

He said the Trust – which represents the interests of licence fee payers – would consider closing 6 Music only as part of a wider strategy on the future of digital radio.

In March BBC director general Mark Thompson seemingly signalled the death knell for the station, as well as the Asian Network, by releasing a strategy review which revealed plans to shelve the stations as part of a wide-ranging cutback program.

The announcement sparked an impassioned response from 6 Music’s loyal listenership, with protests taking place on a regular basis ever since (including the one below).

6 Music was launched in 2002, the first national music radio station to be launched by the BBC in 32 years. Amongst its main roster of rock and indie shows, it has featured regular DJ mixes and shows from international music luminaries like Erol Alkan and Andy Weatherall and others.