BBC Six Music and Asian Network to go by 2011

[DuelingFanjo]

Arrggghhh! story

Sorry that should be [email protected] in my last post.

Petunia it horrifies me that one man (Murdoch) has so much power - enough to force changes at the BBC purely for his commercial gain.

The Channel 4 news at 7pm might be interesting; it's scheduled to have Mark Thompson and Bobby Friction (of Asian Network and occasionally 6 Music) on!

I've sent my email, ta for the link guys. I only hope we can kick up such a fuss that 6music will be saved.

Ooh Adam Buxton of Adam and Joe fame also on channel 4 news.

Does Mark Thompson really believe the BBC doesn't need to cater for niche or minority audiences? I think he's in the wrong job.

pmsl at Adam Buxton challenging him to a fight.

Did you see the look on MT's face when Adam Buxton challenged him to a fight?!

This was Mark Thompson in yesterdays Guardian online. I skimmed through it in the end because it made my head hurt!

I go with the conspiracy theory too - think the 6 music thing is a smokescreen. The public response will be huge and they will keep it (because it is genuinely very good) whilst still ditching the asian network. The 'story' is then '6 music saved' NOT 'Asian network axed.'

Adam Buxton and Mark Thompson about to be on Channel 4 news +1 for anyone who missed it.

Yes it's worth a view just for Mark Thompson's reaction. He channelled David Brent and did airquotes too.

Tried wading through that article petunia - what a load of drivel.

A savvy commercial interest will see the strenght of feeling for 6 music and buy it. Meanwhile the running costs will be redirected to drama (where imho it's really needed). Everybody happy.

I hear Absolute radio are interested but I don't think 6 is really commercially viable. XFM certainly had to narrow its playlist to survive. I don't want to listen to the same five songs all day, I want the DJs to be passionate music fans who are allowed choice in the music played (6 Music DJs get three per hour). To survive as a commercial station it is inevitable 'personalities' will be brought in who don't really care what they play but just want to hear the sound of their own voice. And then you have radio 1 mark II - awful.

I would have thought there was lots of original drama on the BBC? It's not like drama is missing out at the expense of a small radio station. I can't really see the need for more money to go there tbh.

Six Music has the BBC music and sound Archive at it's disposal, anyone 'taking it over' just wouldn't have that wealth of archive sessions nor would it be able to keep the presenters currently working at the channel or attract the performances that it currently does. Nor, as Chutes just said, would another broadcaster allow presenters to play the variety of wonderful music that six music currently does.

Most of the current presenters won't be left without work, many of them aleady still do programmes for Radio 2.

I like the music on 6 music but I think that there are a few personalities too who for me spoil things a little. I think it's an accepted fact that there is very little money for drama these days abd hence less quality output. You only have to look at the soaps to see how many actors are finding it hard to find good quality drama.

Ooohhh I missed Adam B on C4 News

I have to admit that I've not listened to either channel under threat so have no strong views but whilst I've heard a lot of support for 6, I've heard very little in comparison as to why the Asian Network should stay.

There is a parallel campaign to save the Asian Network - here's one example - but you have to look a bit further to find it.

Thanks policywonk. I didn't mean just this thread though, from other media coverage and from other boards I visit online the focus is mainly on 6. Perhaps because there are other Asian channels and no direct comparator to 6?

That Adam Buxton/C4 clip is here (god I love Twitter)

Bobby Friction of AN is also featured and makes a good case for why the AN is unique.

Late to thread - as always.

Just wanted to add my voice to the general horror that Murdoch (and the other private interests lurking behind him murmuring "Go Rupert!") has managed to exert this sort of pressure.

Voldemort for sure.

I love 6 Music too - can't believe this.

I think this says it all...

It's the thin end of the wedge-radio is so much cheaper to run than tv.

Sorry should be www.youtube.com/watch?v=soGKRMb8p0U

Good effort, that man

I've had a response from the Trust but it seems to be a form letter.

That was good! Am scared to use a smiley, since discovering that they are open to wide interpretation.

Completely straightforward .

Did anyone watch MT on Newsnight apparently being destroyed by Paxo? Is it worth hunting down on iplayer?

Broken Bells were FABULOUS on LL show earlier (ok, slight bias as I am an obsessive Shins fan). It's killing me to think 6 might not exist - who else who have bands like this on?