BBC 6 Music may be revived under a different name, figures within the corporation suggested yesterday, after a high-profile campaign involving stars such as Lily Allen and David Bowie prompted a rethink on its closure.
Sources suggest it may be re-branded as Radio 2 Extra, keeping several of its current DJs, and much of the same playlist it does now. A BBC spokeman described the idea as "speculation".
The station currently costs £6m a year to run and has a weekly audience of 695,000. When BBC director-general Mark Thompson confirmed last month that a proposal to close the station had been presented to the BBC Trust as part of a bid to scale back BBC operations and allow commercial rivals more room, it was pointed out that only one in five people had heard of the station.
However, a campaign to keep the station open cited its minority status as justification for keeping it running rather than shutting it down. BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Chris Addison was quoted as saying: "6 Music serves a minority interest, does it? Then it's heartland BBC."
Last month 1,000 fans demonstrated outside Broadcasting House. The British Phonographic Industry has also protested at the closure, claiming it will block a much-needed outlet for new bands. The BBC has received 8,000 complaints over the proposed closure of the station. Only the "Sachsgate" scandal, and the decision to air the controversial Jerry Springer: The Opera, have prompted more. Several musicians have also expressed concern over the closure, including Radiohead guitarist Ed O'Brien, producer Mark Ronson and David Bowie. Conservative Shadow Culture Minister Ed Vaizey initially supported the decision, but later changed his position saying: "It is brilliant with a passionate and articulate fan base."
