I have been intrigued and rather touched by the response to Mark Thompson’s proposals for the cutting of what is one of the most revered of the Corporation’s digital radio offerings. OK, there aren’t many compared to what is on offer throughout the whole of the Beeb, but the loyalty of Radio 6 Music’s following is setting the Twitterati and Facebook world alight today.
Did I say that I really like BBC 6 Music? It’s such an eclectic mix of musical styles that isn’t subject to the playlist mentality of the rest of funded and commercial radio, and the presenters are an enthusiastic lot who know when to shut up and play good music. And like the British weather, if you don’t like what you see (or hear in this case) you don’t need to fret because it all changes ten minutes later.
Back to the main theme though, I love the power that social media can bring to get a message home, and when it is directed in such a way it can really have some impact. I predict that the BBC Trust will, at the very least, have to listen to their listeners. They may even reverse the decision. Of course the BBC has to make cuts but hopefully they will be cuts that everyone might cheer about, such as to the enormous salaries that some of the execs and presenters command.
At the very least it’s a demonstration of the power of the internet. Imagine the hoohah if the pirate stations of the 60s were being subjected to closure in today’s age. Would they be allowed to do so now?
