6 Music has won a stay of execution from the BBC Trust, while the BBC works on “an overarching strategy” for digital radio.

BBC Trust Chairman Sir Michael Lyons today sets out his initial conclusions on the future direction of the Corporation, following the recommendation of BBC Director General Mark Thompson in March that 6 Music and the Asian Network should be closed.

The Trust has concluded, “as things stand, the case has not been made for the closure of 6 Music” and the BBC Executive should draw up an overarching strategy for digital radio as a whole.

“If the Director General wanted to propose a different shape for the BBC’s music radio stations as part of a new strategy, the Trust would consider it,” the Trust adds.

For the Asian Network, however, the picture is not so bright. The Trust says that it would consider a formal proposal for the closure of the station, “although this must include a proposition for meeting the needs of the station’s audience in different ways."

Lyons says, “The Director General presented us with a thoughtful set of proposals earlier this year in support of a clear future vision for the BBC – a vision the Trust supports because it is rooted in the BBC’s enduring mission to inform, educate and entertain audiences with programmes and services of high quality, originality and value.

"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.

"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."

Original story by Ben Cardew (Music Week)