BBC Cuts

Dymetrie · 07-03-2010, 09:05

The BBC is currently conducting a strategy review which, it is likely, will result in the closure of BBC 6Music, the Asian Network, and about 50% of online content. The drive for this rationalisation is pressure from commercial rivals.

Whilst I agree that the BBC does need to analyse its spending, its content is world renowned and the two radio stations it's proposing to axe are the only two of their kind in the country.

I am a big fan of 6Music, it's radio made by people who love music. Icons of music are often guest presenters (regulars include Jarvis Cocker, Bruce Dickinson and Huey Morgan) and get to share their musical influences (and mindless drivel, sometimes

) with the audience.

Regular shows that I listen to include the Adam and Joe show (comedy gold!), Mark Riley (new tunes and classic recordings with the northern monkey) and Craig Charles' Funk and Soul show (seriously cool

), but most of the presenters, and most of the music is excellent. (Full listings of shows can be found here)

It's the general public that pays the licence fee which funds the BBC and there are several ways to make your voice heard about these proposals (along with other suggestions) in responses to the strategy review and the online petitions opposing the cuts.

The BBC report on the strategy review can be found here.

Responses to the Strategy Review can be made here.

There are several petitions opposing the proposed cuts, they can be found here and here.

Kitten · 07-03-2010, 11:29

This seems like a big publicity stunt to me.

Most people I know hadn't even heard of 6music, and now they have. Lots and lots of free publicity which will probably end up in the Beeb saying 'Oh, wow, look at the support we had, lets NOT close anyway?!'.

Cynical, moi?

Briggykins · 07-03-2010, 14:29

Things is with both 6 Music and the Asian Network is that the commercial rivals haven't really got a lot to complain about. There's really no other option, certainly for most of the country outside the big cities. 6 Music and the Asian network are exactly the kind of radio stations we need to be keeping because there's no way they could exist outside of public broadcasting. Why is nobody talking about axing Radio 2? There's about a million commercial radio stations which offer the same thing. Even Radio 1 outside of peak hours offers music (awful, awful music) you couldn't find elsewhere.

Kitten · 07-03-2010, 14:32

Bin Radio One, you'd have no complaints from me at all. Dreadful station. Maybe someone should start a petition to do that!

Will · 07-03-2010, 15:04

Radio 1 is rubbish. Cut that. Although to be fair I've never heard of 6 or Asian on the BBC
but I don't have a dab radio.

LeperousDust · 07-03-2010, 15:52

Radio 1 gets to much **** guys, in peak hours its like anyone else in the heard. But outside of hours theres loads of new electro/dance/house/DnB/dubstep everything! Its an amazing melting pot for new and up and coming electo music. I probably couldn't live without the essential mix, mini mix and annie mac (all pretty much the same and happen only once a week!). But Chris Moyles and Scott Mills and the Chart show and Jo Willey and the rest etc.... Are a waste of time most of the time to me too

But don't tar all of Radio 1 with that big brush

Kitten · 07-03-2010, 16:03

Sorry Alex, I think it's ****. And anything you can hear on radio one, re: dance music, I'm pretty certain you can get in a podcast if you look. I've caught some of the dance stuff, and while it's decent once a week, it's nothing special that you can't get anywhere else. THe dance mixes you get on R1 are far overshadowed by the ones you get on local stations here. Radio One has been up it's own arse for far too long and I for one wouldn't miss it at all if it was gone.

LeperousDust · 07-03-2010, 16:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kitten

Sorry Alex, I think it's ****. And anything you can hear on radio one, re: dance music, I'm pretty certain you can get in a podcast if you look. I've caught some of the dance stuff, and while it's decent once a week, it's nothing special that you can't get anywhere else. THe dance mixes you get on R1 are far overshadowed by the ones you get on local stations here. Radio One has been up it's own arse for far too long and I for one wouldn't miss it at all if it was gone.

You can't get the essential mix and annie mac on podcasts i wouldn't go to so much trouble to essentially roll my own podcasts of them otherwise. The essential mix is about everything, local talent and all. Only a few weeks ago annie mac was up in Edinburgh hosting the essential mix with Hostage our local "spack-house" (i have no idea

) hero! The cover some seriously good stuff, and i've not yet found another radio station with as diverse up and coming stuff

Jakwob is set to be big soon me thinks, desperately looking out for him playing somewhere

Most of Radio 1 is too big for its boots i'll grant, but mostly its peak hour stuff. Then theres the radio 1 big weekend which is pretty awesome once a year, and you'd never get that any other way!

divine · 07-03-2010, 16:11

If you're going down that route, close off all of the radio stations bar 6 Music and Asian Network then, as they would all be covered by local stations just as well. None of them are anything special you can't get elsewhere.

Kitten · 07-03-2010, 17:36

I didn't mean the specific podcasts, I meant most of the content - but if you say it's not out there, then I'll have to take your word for it. To be fair, I gave up on R1 a long time ago & as a dance fan, I get my stuff elsewhere, so I might not be best to comment. I'm sure they could stick the dance stuff elsewhere though and get rid of the rest of the ****. Do be aware though that this post may or may not be tainted by my utter hatred of the talentless pretentious tw@t that is Jo Whiley (and Chris Moyles). Any station that has Fearne Cotton on it deserves to be taken down..imo.

Still, I'm sure someone likes them....somewhere!

Quote:

Originally Posted by divine

If you're going down that route, close off all of the radio stations bar 6 Music and Asian Network then, as they would all be covered by local stations just as well. None of them are anything special you can't get elsewhere.

If that's aimed at me, I wouldn't argue. Except I'd not be saving 6 Music or the AN either, because I don't listen to them.

07-03-2010, 09:05	#1
Dymetrie A large glass of Merlot Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Letchworth with a Lightsaber Posts: 5,819	BBC Cuts The BBC is currently conducting a strategy review which, it is likely, will result in the closure of BBC 6Music, the Asian Network, and about 50% of online content. The drive for this rationalisation is pressure from commercial rivals. Whilst I agree that the BBC does need to analyse its spending, its content is world renowned and the two radio stations it's proposing to axe are the only two of their kind in the country. I am a big fan of 6Music, it's radio made by people who love music. Icons of music are often guest presenters (regulars include Jarvis Cocker, Bruce Dickinson and Huey Morgan) and get to share their musical influences (and mindless drivel, sometimes ) with the audience. Regular shows that I listen to include the Adam and Joe show (comedy gold!), Mark Riley (new tunes and classic recordings with the northern monkey) and Craig Charles' Funk and Soul show (seriously cool ), but most of the presenters, and most of the music is excellent. (Full listings of shows can be found here) It's the general public that pays the licence fee which funds the BBC and there are several ways to make your voice heard about these proposals (along with other suggestions) in responses to the strategy review and the online petitions opposing the cuts. The BBC report on the strategy review can be found here. Responses to the Strategy Review can be made here. There are several petitions opposing the proposed cuts, they can be found here and here. __________________ Khef, Ka and Ka-Tet....

07-03-2010, 11:29	#2
Kitten Spinky-Spank Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: 668. The Neighbour of the Beast Posts: 11,226	This seems like a big publicity stunt to me. Most people I know hadn't even heard of 6music, and now they have. Lots and lots of free publicity which will probably end up in the Beeb saying 'Oh, wow, look at the support we had, lets NOT close anyway?!'. Cynical, moi? __________________ "You only get one life. There's no God, no rules, except for those you accept or create for yourself. Then once it's over... it's over. Dreamless sleep for ever and ever. So why not be happy while you're here?" Nate Fisher

07-03-2010, 14:29	#3
Briggykins Vodka Martini Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Exeter Posts: 753	Things is with both 6 Music and the Asian Network is that the commercial rivals haven't really got a lot to complain about. There's really no other option, certainly for most of the country outside the big cities. 6 Music and the Asian network are exactly the kind of radio stations we need to be keeping because there's no way they could exist outside of public broadcasting. Why is nobody talking about axing Radio 2? There's about a million commercial radio stations which offer the same thing. Even Radio 1 outside of peak hours offers music (awful, awful music) you couldn't find elsewhere. __________________

07-03-2010, 14:32	#4
Kitten Spinky-Spank Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: 668. The Neighbour of the Beast Posts: 11,226	Bin Radio One, you'd have no complaints from me at all. Dreadful station. Maybe someone should start a petition to do that! __________________ "You only get one life. There's no God, no rules, except for those you accept or create for yourself. Then once it's over... it's over. Dreamless sleep for ever and ever. So why not be happy while you're here?" Nate Fisher

07-03-2010, 15:04	#5
Will BBx woz 'ere :P Join Date: Jan 1970 Posts: 2,147,487,208	Radio 1 is rubbish. Cut that. Although to be fair I've never heard of 6 or Asian on the BBC but I don't have a dab radio. __________________ *No No!*

07-03-2010, 15:52	#6
LeperousDust Bananaman Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Liverpool/Edinburgh Posts: 4,817	Radio 1 gets to much **** guys, in peak hours its like anyone else in the heard. But outside of hours theres loads of new electro/dance/house/DnB/dubstep everything! Its an amazing melting pot for new and up and coming electo music. I probably couldn't live without the essential mix, mini mix and annie mac (all pretty much the same and happen only once a week!). But Chris Moyles and Scott Mills and the Chart show and Jo Willey and the rest etc.... Are a waste of time most of the time to me too But don't tar all of Radio 1 with that big brush __________________

07-03-2010, 16:03	#7
Kitten Spinky-Spank Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: 668. The Neighbour of the Beast Posts: 11,226	Sorry Alex, I think it's ***. And anything you can hear on radio one, re: dance music, I'm pretty certain you can get in a podcast if you look. I've caught some of the dance stuff, and while it's decent once a week, it's nothing special that you can't get anywhere else. THe dance mixes you get on R1 are far overshadowed by the ones you get on local stations here. Radio One has been up it's own arse for far too long and I for one wouldn't miss it at all if it was gone. __________________ "You only get one life. There's no God, no rules, except for those you accept or create for yourself. Then once it's over... it's over. Dreamless sleep for ever and ever. So why not be happy while you're here?" Nate Fisher*

07-03-2010, 16:11	#9
divine Moonshine Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Southampton Posts: 3,201	If you're going down that route, close off all of the radio stations bar 6 Music and Asian Network then, as they would all be covered by local stations just as well. None of them are anything special you can't get elsewhere. __________________