Alternative Radio station BBC6 proves its value and sweeps the board at Sony awards
The threatened alternative music station BBC 6 defies its sceptics and proves there that there is room for an alternative music station, as it emerges victorious at the industry's top awards ceremony. The winners of the 27th annual Sony Radio Academy Awards, the UK’s most prestigious radio accolades, were announced at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel with BBC 6 coming out on top.
The station won two awards for three of its most high-profile presenters Adam Buxton and Joe Cornish – currently on sabbatical from the station's Saturday morning slot – won the best comedy prize, beating shows including BBC Radio 4's Down the Line and the News Quiz, while former Pulp singer Jarvis Cocker won the "rising star" award which was voted for by listeners.
6 Music, which along with the Asian Network are due to be closed at the end of next year under controversial plans put forward by BBC director general Mark Thompson. The victories, at the Sony Radio Academy Awards will be a boost for protestors hoping to persuade the BBC that the stations should be saved. The proposals are currently the subject of a public consultation being overseen by the BBC Trust and due to end at the end of this month. BBC director general Mark Thompson said the stations were not popular enough to justify their combined budget of about £21m. However after the awards success both stations are expected to show big increases in their audiences when the latest official listening figures are published..
The campaign to save 6 Music has been particularly vociferous, attracting celebrity support from the likes of David Bowie and Emily Eavis, as well as BBC presenters including Richard Bacon. A Facebook group campaigning to save 6 Music has amassed nearly 180,000 members. The future of this alternative station may still be under consideration.
