John, I’m Only Dancing (Again)…
The BBC Trust has rejected the BBC’s plans to close the digital radio station 6 Music. In his initial response to the BBC strategy review, BBC Trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons 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.
The trust also said 6 Music was encouraging the take-up of digital radio among listeners, describing it as a “highly distinctive” service that represents “value for money” and is “well liked” by its audience.
A high-profile campaign to save 6 Music was set up after a strategic review of the BBC’s services was announced and David Bowie was among the very first to lend his support. (02.26.2010 NEWS: BOWIE BACKS 6 MUSIC IN BBC BOMBSHELL & 02.27.2010 NEWS: BOWIE 6 MUSIC STATEMENT MAKES FRONT PAGE OF THE TIMES)
Here’s what he had to say: “6 Music keeps the spirit of broadcasters like John Peel alive and for new artists to lose this station would be a great shame.”.
In the short term at least, it seems the publicity generated by the closure proposals hasn’t done any harm to the 6 Music listening figures. The trust noted the 6 Music audience was 600,000 a week at the time of the review, but had since risen to one million listeners.
Well done to any of you reading this that joined the campaign to save 6 Music…great to see people power can still make a difference.