In case you’ve not picked up the paper in the last 24 hours then here’s a repost of the big news for music fans. And whilst this means that Craig Charles is still on the airwaves, we’ve got to look at the overall sum and take this as a positive happening…there’s nothing bad to be had from saving another source of musical output. Whilst it is a shame that they’re cutting Blast! – the program for teenagers – one could argue it had perhaps worn itself out. Having sufficiently mentored participants to a stage where they now have the option to do the same for the next generation, the responsibility is now on them in setting up their own youth training facilities.
via Sky News
“In March, BBC boss Mark Thompson said the radio station would be axed as part of a multi-million-pound savings programme.
However, in the initial conclusions of its Strategy Review, the BBC Trust said no case had been made for the closure of 6 Music and it rejected the idea of merging the station with Radio 2.
It said it had received “no evidence from the commercial radio sector to suggest that 6 Music presents any kind of threat either now or in the future so long as it remains true to its distinctive remit”.
It added: “We also note the strong view expressed by many in the music industry that 6 Music plays a very valuable role in the cultural life of the UK that would not be easily replaced and that would not be filled by the commercial sector.”
The statement delighted fans of the station, who had organised online petitions and held flashmob demonstrations outside BBC offices in a bid to save it.
In other conclusions, the Trust said it endorsed the plan to slash the BBC’s online budget by 25%.
It also accepted the closure of Blast!, a multimedia project aimed at providing creative opportunities for teenagers.
BBC Trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons said the board had considered the “thoughtful set of proposals” presented by the BBC’s director general and had endorsed his “clear future vision”.
“In order to deliver that vision we have concluded that the BBC must accelerate changes to its behaviour, leading to a clearer definition of the boundaries within which it operates as it makes the transition to the digital future,” he said.
“The end result will be a BBC that focuses on its two main obligations to the public – to provide distinctive public service content and to use their money wisely.”
If you head on over to the BBC 6 site (http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/programmes/a-z) you’ll see they’ve got some dope programs available for download now or coming on in the next week, including a four part documentary on Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, Beckology: The Story Of Beck Hanson & an ongoing series about the life of Stevie Wonder. Appreciate while you still can.
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