So long 6 music and online content

[Happy Face 29]

BBC 6 Music and Asian Network are facing closure, Mark Thompson, director general of the corporation, has said.

 

Speaking to staff, Mr Thompson also announced that half of the websites on BBC online will close by 2013.

 

Among the closures will be teen services Switch and Blast, with Mr Thompson admitting Channel 4 should lead the way with these audiences.

 

The strategy review has now been submitted to the BBC Trust and a public consultation period will take place.

 

'Cultural vandalism'

 

Mr Thompson pledged that in the future 90p of every licence fee £1 will be spent on programming and that the corporation would spend 25% less on BBC online.

 

The review says more money will be ploughed into international news and the BBC must put a higher proportion of the licence fee into quality programmes to make "fewer things better".

 

As a result of the changes Mr Thompson said he expected the plans would see an extra £600m ($893m) diverted into programme-making.

 

Radio 2 needed to "sharpen its distinctiveness in its range of music and speech" and while the quality of local radio should be increased, he proposed sharing more programmes across outlets during off-peak periods.

 

FIVE EDITORIAL BBC PRIORITIES

 

1. The best journalism in the world

2. Inspiring knowledge, music and culture

3. Ambitious UK drama and comedy

4. Outstanding children's content

5. Events that bring communities and the nation together

During the briefing Mr Thompson said the earliest 6 Music and Asian Network would close would be by the end of 2011.

 

It was reported on Friday that the two digital stations would be closed, after the report was leaked to The Times.

 

Following the leaks, the BBC was heavily criticised by music industry figures, with the heads of the British Phonographic Institute and the Association of Independent Music saying they were "surprised and alarmed" by the reports.

 

Shaun Keaveny, a presenter on 6 Music, said: "First of all, massive thanks to everyone who has shown their support, it's literally choking us up.

 

He added that they would not know "the full story" until later this month but "we hope it isn't true of course".

 

BBC broadcaster Charlie Brooker said: "I was going to buy a digital radio next week. If they get rid of BBC 6 music I might as well not bother."

 

'Politically motivated'

 

Comedian and DJ Phill Jupitus described the potential axing of 6 Music as "an act of cultural vandalism".

 

Music producer and musician Mark Ronson told BBC Radio 5 live that he was "definitely joining the petition" to keep 6 Music on air.

 

He added: " It would be a bad thing if it closed down. It's great old music, it's great new bands. People on that station love music."

 

Meanwhile, broadcasting workers' union Bectu, said up to 600 jobs could go.

 

General secretary of the organisation, Gerry Morrissey, said: "These cuts are totally unnecessary and are purely politically motivated.

 

"It is obvious that the BBC is being bounced by its competitors and by the political climate ahead of the upcoming general election.

 

"It is not acceptable for the BBC to be offering up services and jobs as some kind of sacrifice ahead of the general election."

 

Jeremy Dear, general secretary of the National Union of Journalists, added: "Public pressure can help persuade the BBC to put its viewers and listeners first, rather than allowing the corporate media barons to have their way and begin dismantling a vital national service.

 

"These plans smack of an attempt to appease commercial and political interests. Hard-working staff shouldn't be used as a political football and we will fight any compulsory redundancies."

 

Union leaders will meet Mr Thompson on Wednesday but have already warned industrial action might take place to fight the cuts.

 

Mr Thompson has denied that the proposals have anything to do with the forthcoming election.

 

"The proposed changes we are announcing today are not a piece of politics. It is also not a blueprint of a small BBC or a BBC that is in retreat from digital," he said.

 

BBC Worldwide will continue its mission to relieve pressure on the licence fee payer through complementary commercial activities.

 

It will also move to a more international focus, deriving at least two-thirds of its revenue from outside the UK by 2015.

 

Spending on imported programmes and films will be cut by 20% and are also plans to move away from "physical media" which includes magazines in the UK.

 

During Tuesday's briefing, Mr Thompson said the report was about "putting quality first".

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8544150.stm

 

Look at the 6 music A list

 

Delphic

Gorillaz

Groove Armada

Jimi Hendrix

Jonsi

Mumford & Sons

The Strange Boys

Tunng

Vampire Weekend

Yeasayer

 

 

and Radio 2

 

Amy MacDonald

Beverley Knight (feat. Chaka Khan)

Goldfrapp

Leona Lewis

Mary J Blige

Michael Bublé

Nerina Pallot

Paloma Faith

Robbie Williams

Rod Stewart

 

They need to do a LOT of work on Radio 2 to make up for this.

 

Gutted Adam and Joe will be no more too.

[ChezGiven 0]

Adam and Joe have been doing radio for years, they'll just find another station. They were on Xfm before 6.

 

Edit, iirc.

Edited March 2, 2010 by ChezGiven

[Guest alex]

They never did a very good job of marketing Radio 6.

And I think, given its scope, the website is excellent.

[Happy Face 29]

Adam and Joe have been doing radio for years, they'll just find another station. They were on Xfm before 6.

 

Edit, iirc.

 

Looked like they had finished on 6 music anyway.

 

Joe's off writing films for Steven Spielberg so i think he's happy to leave it all behind.

[Happy Face 29]

They never did a very good job of marketing Radio 6.

 

Wasn't there a suggestion the station could be sold?

 

I don't know if it's commercially viable or if it would be as popular with adverts. I hate commercial radio more than i hate commercial tv.

[Rob W 0]

Only MOR radio makes it commercially in the UK

[Renton 22447]

Didn't even know this channel existed - is it digital? I normally just listen to Radio 4 and Five Live nowadays. Although all Five Live has done today is talk about the BBC.

[Dr Kenneth Noisewater 0]

Can't say I've ever listened to 6 Music even though the profile of it appeals to me. Firstly, the DAB reception is shit where I live (which the beeb really should do something about, as they rushed out the platform to be the first digital radio network in the world), and secondly, as Alex said, the marketing of the DAB content has left a lot to be desired.

 

If I couldn't pick up Xfm on mine it would be in the bin by now.

[Meenzer 15871]

Shit.

[ewerk 31597]

Mark Thompson currently getting raped by Paxman.