The BBC’s contradictory arguments for closing 6 Music have been ripped apart by fans of the station. The most salient was always that withdrawing from some services would appease the politicians and fend off further outside interference.
So it’s bad news that for the Beeb hierarchy that Shadow Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt has said that he could not understand the BBC’s logic in dropping 6 Music but retaining another “niche” service such as Radio 3.
He believes 6 Music is “fulfilling a gap in the market”. Speaking, naturally, on the Beeb’s own Radio 2 Jeremy Vine show, Hunt said: “What I find difficult about this particular decision, I don’t really understand the logic – why one niche service but not another?
“Why do you want to cut 6 Music and keep Radio 3 and so I’d like to understand the BBC’s logic.” 6 Music and the Asian Network are very small niche services in BBC terms, argued Hunt.
“They don’t cost an awful lot of money and they seem to be fulfilling a gap in the market but I do think the BBC is right to be asking questions about what it does across the board because that’s what the whole of the public sector’s having to do.”
He said it did not matter that the services had limited audiences “if they’re providing something that’s distinctive and different”.
“I think it’s about doing things that the market won’t necessarily provide,” Mr Hunt added, perhaps sensing where passionate licence-fee payers are on this.
Meanwhile 6 Music continues on its own sweet way, by according to PA, “dedicating an evening to the eclectic list of artists namechecked in a celebrated track by cult act Half Man Half Biscuit”. Steve Lamacq, Marc Riley and Gideon Coe will play acts such as Husker Du, Michael Ball, Television, Can and Sun Ra.
It may not boost those Rajars but 6 is clearly going to enjoy what could be the longest wake in broadcasting history.
Earlier postings on the 6 Music story can be found by clicking here.
