Reacting to today’s news about the possibility of 6 Music being closed in a BBC strategic review, the Chief Operating Officer of Absolute Radio has said he would buy 6 Music and operate it better under commercial ownership.
Absolute has twice the audience of the BBC station but a significantly smaller budget.
Speaking to Radio Today, Clive said: “We share a similar ethos to 6 Music – a passion for music discovery, comedy and live music. We know there’s an audience out there for more engaging radio programmes, like Frank Skinner, Dave Gorman or Lauren Laverne.
A more efficiently run 6 Music could retain its current programming and sit perfectly in Absolute’s stable of stations, alongside Absolute Classic Rock, Absolute ‘80s and dabbl.”
Industry experts have told The Times that they believe the station could fetch £2million – £3million, if the BBC was willing to sell.
Listeners of 6 Music have rallied round the station with a Facebook group gaining in members to save the station. On Twitter earlier today, Lauren Laverne said: "Looks like I’m joining that facebook group then. Boo, boo and thrice boo. That is all. Sad."
On the 6 Music breakfast show, presenter Shaun Keaveny said on air: "First of all, massive thanks to everyone who has shown their support, it’s literally choking us up. We hope it isn’t true, of course.