Cuts not about “politics” but about focussing on quality, says BBC boss
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The BBC says its plan to cut radio and digital services is not motivated by political pressure but about offering more opportunities to its commercial rivals.
The BBC says its plan to cut radio and digital services is not motivated by political pressure but about offering more opportunities to its commercial rivals.
The corporation is expected to unveil a series of proposals later today (2 March) aimed at “putting quality first”. Changes include shutting radio stations 6Music, which features presenter Lauren Laverne (pictured), and the Asian Network and reducing the size of its website by half.
The cuts are said to have been the result of pressure from the Conservative Party, which has called on the BBC to curb its spending.
However, BBC director general, Mark Thompson says the changes are “not a piece of politics”.
Writing in the Guardian today, Thompson adds the changes are not a “blueprint for a small BBC, or a BBC that is a retreat from digital” but about delivering services of “outstanding quality”. To this end, the corporation is also expected to announce plans to invest £600m a year into quality programming.
The BBC has come under fire from critics over the salaries of its executives and presenters such as Jonathan Ross. Commercial rivals have also questioned the role of its commercial arm, BBC Worldwide.
Thompson says the corporation’s commercial activity “should help fund and actively support the BBC’s public mission, and never distort or supplant that mission”.
“The BBC should not attempt to do everything. It must listen to legitimate concerns from commercial media players more carefully than it has in the past, and act sooner to meet them. It needs the confidence and clarity to stop as well as to start doing things,” he adds.
Reports that 6Music is facing the axe have led to a backlash from the station’s listeners. More than 70,000 have joined a Facebook group demanding the digital-only station be saved.
Absolute Radio has expressed an interest in buying the 6Music brand and network if it should be axed.
Readers' comments (2)
Marie-Ann Capps | Tue, 2 Mar 2010 11:36 am
I listen to 6 music at home as we have digital access. It is the only decent radio station available and is focussed solely on the music, delivering new music and breaking new bands. It would be a travesty if it were lost. I am however pleased that Absolute are expressing an interest in buying the brand. A world without 6 music is empty. Please don't drop the music.
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Johanna Courtney | Tue, 2 Mar 2010 2:13 pm
I too listen to BBC6 music and I am devastated to hear this news. I used to be a big Radio 1 fan, but since the "shake up" last year when they got rid of Jo Whiley, BBC6 music is the only radio station that meets my requirements. By axing these vital music stations the Beeb will be focusing its energy on servicing the 16 - 24 year old bracket and, older demographics, with a blatant neglect for professionals in their thirties - who have an aversion to the rubbish music that dominates the music charts (N-Dubz, Cheryl Cole etc)
PLEASE don't get rid of 6 music, if Absolute buy it and keep it as it is, happy days. However, I do feel by doing this the Beeb are forgetting about a massive proportion of the licence fee paying public who ultimately pay their wages; 6 Music is quality - so let it stay.
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