BBC 6 Music Has been Saved from Closure

Digital music station BBC 6 Music has been granted a reprieve with the BBC Trust announcing that the digital music station will stay on the air pending a broader review of the broadcaster’s digital radio activities.

Responding to the BBC strategy review, BBC Trust Chairman Sir Michael Lyons said that the case for the closure of 6 Music had not been made.

But the Trust accepted plans to close the Asian Network, cut 25% of the online budget and close teen service Blast!

A high-profile campaign to save 6 Music was set up after a strategic review of the BBC's services was announced in March.

The Trust published its initial conclusions to the strategy review alongside the BBC's Annual Report.

In a statement, the Trust said: "The Trust concludes that, as things stand, the case has not been made for the closure of 6 Music.

"The Executive should draw up an overarching strategy for digital radio. 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 would consider a formal proposal for the closure of the Asian Network, although this must include a proposition for meeting the needs of the station's audience in different ways."

Musicians including David Bowie, Lily Allen, Damon Albarn and Coldplay lent their support to 6 Music when its closure was tabled.

6 Music was launched in 2002, the first national music radio station to be launched by the BBC in 32 years. Amongst its main roster of rock and indie shows, it has featured regular DJ mixes and shows from international music luminaries like Erol Alkan and Andy Weatherall and others.