Anniversary specials for BBC 6 Music

Digital station BBC 6 Music is to mark its 10th anniversary next month with a series of special broadcasts and concerts.

The birthday on 11th March will be marked with a day of programmes featuring stand-out moments from its decade on the air.

Then the following week Lauren Laverne’s show will be showcasing 6 Music artists such as Spiritualized and Orbital live in session at the BBC’s Maida Vale studios.

On Friday 16 March, the week of birthday celebrations will conclude with a concert featuring Laura Marling and others at the Southbank Centre.

Performances will be available to watch online as well as on the BBC Red Button via digital television.

Bob Shennan, Controller, BBC Radio 2 and Radio 6 Music, said: “This has been an incredible first decade for Radio 6 Music. In addition to its recent record listening figures, it has proved itself as a unique and much loved service and a real showcase for the music that encapsulates the alternative spirit. I am proud that it has played such a key role in encouraging the take-up of digital radio across the nation.”

Mid-morning presenter Lauren Laverne said: “I love being part of the Radio 6 Music family and its success, it’s special radio! We’ll be featuring some of the station’s best music and artists during the anniversary and I’m especially looking forward to Maida Vale, where I’ll be bringing listeners some amazing live sessions.”

2002 saw the launch of the BBC’s first new national radio stations since Radio 5. The first on air was 5 live Sports Extra on 2 February 2002, followed by 6 Music on 11 March. Later that year came 1Xtra (16 August), Asian Network (28 October) and BBC 7 (15 December).

Published on Monday, February 6th, 2012 at 6:43 pm

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Category: Digital Radio, Radio



This article was written by Roy Martin. Roy is the owner and founder of Radio Today. You can follow him on Twitter @roymartin or email roy.martin@radiotoday.co.uk. If you have any news or information which may be of interest to the radio industry, please contact us via news@radiotoday.co.uk

  • Tim

    I like the way the statements neatly hide the fact that the BBC wanted to axe it.  Credit must be given to the 20 or so people who spent time and money putting together a strong case with documentation to the BBC Trust, and organised protests, emails, letters and a petitiion etc.   They are self effacing people, and would not dream of making statements to the Radio Times, but did a huge amount that the listeners and industry should be thankful for.

    I was not one of the 20, although I have come to know most of them, and count myself lucky to do so. They also organised a celebration of the station 6fest which was a huge success.

    Six is a great station.  Its management could still learn by engaging listeners and working with those who saved it – perhaps as an advisory council. Unfortunately they are rather more keen on keeping playlists and celebrity.