Artist Alistair fights to save BBC 6 Music

TIM FLETCHER

AN ARTIST from Burton is urging music lovers to join a campaign to save closurethreatened radio station BBC 6 Music.

Alistair Kennedy has branded BBC chiefs' plans to axe the digital station and the BBC Asian Network 'misguided' and 'tokenistic'.

The plans, part of a strategic review, also envisage scaling back the corporation's web presence and are expected to shave £600 million from the BBC's budget.

They are seen as an attempt by bosses to stem criticism that its growth has been excessive and damaged commercial rivals.

Mr Kennedy, who listens to BBC 6 Music while working on his art in the top-floor studio of his house in Shobnall Street, has written to politicians including Burton MP Janet Dean and culture, media and sport minister Ben Bradshaw to voice his opposition to the plans.

He is also encouraging others to speak up for the station by taking part in the BBC's consultation on the issue.

He told the Mail: "I am shocked and disgusted at this proposal and the diabolical way the BBC's strategic review has been handled.

"I am a huge fan of 6 Music and have been listening regularly since October, 2002.

"The station began broadcasting in March of that year so as it celebrates its eighth birthday the future of intelligent, informative music radio is uncertain."

The station has a listenership of 700,000 but Mr Kennedy claims these figures are 'flawed' as many listen to shows on the BBC's online iPlayer and via digital television.

He also refutes suggestions that the BBC should step aside from the kind of content broadcast on 6 Music to make room for commercial operators.

He said: "I agree that some areas of BBC content are replicated across the commercial sector, but I do not understand this misguided, tokenistic move to close 6 Music.

"It is unique among the airwaves.

Where else could you hear the likes of Sonic Youth, Florence and the Machine and The Fall interspersed with De La Soul, Run DMC and Grandmaster Flash? "No commercial broadcaster delivers this type of content and they never will. They have tried and failed.

"If the BBC is looking for genuine conflict of interest in format with commercial sector broadcasters there are plenty of other things that could slip away happily to ITV, Five or Sky BBC 3 and 4 television for instance. They are only shown from 7pm until 4am and are mostly repeats of repeats."

People can have their say on the planned closures online at www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust or by emailing srconsultation@bbc.co.uk. The closing date for the consultation is Tuesday, May 25.