UK Music vows to keep up the fight for 6 Music

UK Music has vowed to keep up the fight to save 6 Music and the Asian Network over the next three months, after adding the issue to the agenda of its board meeting last Thursday.

The industry was sent into shock last week when BBC Director General Mark Thompson confirmed plans to close the two digital stations, as well as several websites including Switch and Blast, as part of plans to save £600m.

The BBC's Strategy Review proposals have now been submitted to the BBC Trust and a wider consultation will take place over the next 12 weeks before a final decision is made.

UK Music CEO Feargal Sharkey says that it is vitally important that the pressure is kept up on the BBC trust over this period.

"Over the past week, many of UK Music's members have expressed public outrage at the decisions to close 6 Music and the Asian Network. These feelings were repeated, passionately, loudly and unanimously at the UK Music board meeting. Losing these stations is not an option for this industry. It is now paramount that we keep the pressure on. Both collectively and individually this is precisely what we will be doing in the months ahead."

In this determination, UK Music will not be alone. As yet there is no industry-wide plan to lobby the BBC but there is a widespread consensus that the two stations must be saved.

BPI chairman Tony Wadsworth says that it is important for the industry to speak with one voice on the matter. "I haven't found anybody at the moment that doesn't think that 6 Music wouldn't be a loss," he says. "This issue unites people." The BPI is set to submit a response to the BBC Trust on the matter imminently and also has plans to keep the issue in the pubic eye.

Music Week, which has added its voice to the campaign by sending a letter to Thompson calling for 6 to be saved, has already received support for 6 Music and the Asian Network from across the full spectrum of the industry, including representatives of major and indie labels, artists, pluggers, managers, industry body executives and politicians.

"The number of artists and companies who have been in touch with us since the announcement was leaked last Friday speaks for itself - legions of companies citing artists who have received support from Radio 6 in their early stage careers," says AIM chairman and chief executive Alison Wenham.

MMF chief executive Jon Webster explains that many in the management community are up in arms about the planned closure of 6 Music.

"The irony is that the commercial sector will not provide this or it would have done so already," he says. "This has to be a sustained and organised campaign from now until the end of the consultation."

Connected Artists manager Ed Millett, who manages the Guillemots among others, is equally incensed at the BBC move. "6 Music is an important process in getting new artists national exposure, otherwise we are left with very narrow windows at Radio 1," he says.

Millett also suggests that there needs to be a two pronged attack on the BBC proposals with bands also organising their fans - and BBC listeners - to respond to the consultation because an industry focused campaign will be seen to have a self interest.

(original story: Music Week - Ben Cardew)