Calls to save Radio 6 Music

Over 30,000 people have joined a Facebook group suggesting the BBC saves digital station Radio 6 Music.

It comes after a report said 6 Music and the Asian Network could become a victim of cost cutting at the corporation.

The Asian Network, according to the latest RAJAR results, has an audience of 360,000 and listeners aren't listening as long as they used to. It costs £25m a year to run and can only be heard via digital methods.

And reports that 6 Music is under-going a separate review are being discussed online at the Save BBC 6Music Facebook group. The information says: "There are rumours that the station, which has 620,000 weekly listeners and costs £7 million a year to run, could be closed in a meaningless sacrifice to politicians demanding BBC savings and a limit on the corporation’s digital ambitions.

"The Trust could argue that 6’s audience reach doesn’t justify its expense and that its core audience be served in the margins of a tightened-up Radio 2.
This is a group for listeners of this iconic radio station to air their thoughts and demand that it be left on the airwaves, championing new music and cherishing the old. Leave 6Music alone!"

A report by the BBC Trust will be published shortly.