BBC 6 Music

Infobox Radio Station
name = BBC 6 Music


area = flagicon|United Kingdom UK — National
airdate = 11 March 2002
share = 0.3%
share as of = June 2008
share source = [http://www.rajar.co.uk/listening/quarterly_listening.php]
frequency = DAB: 12B Freeview: 707 Freesat: 707
Sky: 0120
Virgin Media: 909 Tiscali TV: 632 UPC Ireland: 912 [http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/6music.shtml?listen Live Stream] Real/WM
format = Classic rock Alternative rock Funk Indie Jazz Hip hop
owner = BBC
website = [http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/ www.bbc.co.uk/6music/]

BBC 6 Music is one of the BBC's digital radio stations, launched on 11 March 2002 and originally codenamed "Network Y". [BBC, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/1766405.stm "Launch date for BBC digital radio"] , January 17, 2002.] [Robins, Jane. [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20010119/ai_n9667125 "Competitors angered by `arrogant' BBC plan to spend pounds 313m on on new digital television and radio services"]
The Independent (London), January 19, 2001.] [BBC, [http://www.culture.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/5E924D0D-7CFA-4AA8-97C9-D14C247F5098/0/bbcnewserviceadd.pdf "BBC Proposed New Services"] , 2001.] It was the first national music radio station to be launched by the BBC in 32 years.

It is available on digital media: DAB radio, the Internet, digital television and in northern Europe through the Astra 2A satellite. The station plays "alternative" genres of music, including indie, classic rock, punk, jazz, funk, hip hop, house and trance. It is an alternative to the mainstream, chart orientated Radio 1 and Radio 2. BBC 6 Music is the sister station of Radio 2.

Many BBC 6 Music shows play a lot of the BBC session and live music archives (including the "Peel Sessions" put together by the late John Peel from the late 1960s to his death).

There are live music studio sessions with contemporary artists, reminiscent of "unplugged sessions", especially in the 6 Music "hub" started by Gideon Coe on his morning show and in the studio on the Evening Sequence show with Tom Robinson. See [http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/events/hub/ 6 Music Hub Sessions]

There is a lot of cooperation with the audience, using the World Wide Web, text messaging and emails . Listeners can "in vivo" decide which songs will be played. Listeners can also use the website to listen again to a show, find out more about the playlists and presenters and hear [http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/news/ breaking music news] .

At first the presenters were regarded as experts in their field. Their sophistication and the inclusion of listeners is reflected in the station's slogan, "closer to the music that matters."

History

BBC 6 Music was proposed in October 2000 as a "digital-only" radio station and named "Network Y" . [ [http://web.archive.org/web/20001023180125/http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/news/news272.htm BBC News Release, "Licence payers consulted on new BBC radio and television services", October 2000.] ] ("Network X" became BBC 1Xtra and "Network Z" BBC 7). [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/report2001/review/future.shtml BBC Annual Report & Review 2000-2001] . Confer section on Future Plans: Introduction & New Services.]

It was to be the sister station of BBC Radio 2. Both stations are headed by Lesley Douglas.

The 2000-2001 BBC Annual Report & Review to Parliament described the proposed station as "Focusing on the popular music of the last 30 years. It will draw on the BBC's unique archive of musical performance, concerts, documentaries and interviews"(sic). [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/report2001/review/future.shtml BBC Annual Report & Review 2000-2001] ]

BBC descriptions of the station categorised its intentions: "Bringing you today's most influential and iconic artists, essential album tracks plus classic sessions ... 6 music will provide a hip, credible music mix that's unavailable elsewhere on UK radio ... 6 Music is a station for people who are passionate about pop and rock music. Expect a rich mix of contemporary and classic artists" (sic). [ [http://web.archive.org/web/20020223053610/www.bbc.co.uk/6music/ BBC pre-launch 6 Music page from February 2002] ]

It promised online music chatrooms during live broadcasts, studio webcams, etc.: "6 music will set the tone for the way we listen to and interact with radio in a digital world. As well as the ability to listen online from wherever you are in the world, 6 music will offer chatrooms run by presenters, in-depth debate on message boards, live chats with guest bands and artists, email and SMS communication with the 6 music team throughout the day, and a webcam view of daily life in the studio.(sic)"

BBC 6 Music said that classic live rock sessions from BBC sound archives would be a trove for listeners.

It opened at 7am, Monday, 11 March, 2002, with the Breakfast Show presented by Phill Jupitus. It was broadcast from the BBC's Broadcasting House in London.

The original lineup of presenters included Phill Jupitus, Gideon Coe, Liz Kershaw, Andrew Collins, Tom Robinson, Janice Long, Chris Hawkins, Gary Burton, Craig Charles, Stuart Maconie, Brinsley Forde, Suggs, Clare McDonnell, Bruce Dickinson, Tracey MacLeod, Sean Hughes, and Bob Harris. [ [http://web.archive.org/web/20020905162248/www.bbc.co.uk/6music/presenters/ BBC 6 Music website list of presenters in 2002] ]

In August 2007, BBC 6 Music received a new logo. The name of the station remains "BBC 6 Music"; the inclusion of the word "radio" in the logo reflects the fact that BBC 6 Music is part of the BBC Radio family of stations.

6 Music was damned for changing the daytime schedules during late 2007 and early 2008 [ [http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/feb/18/bbc.radio?gusrc=rss&feed=media Lesley Douglas defends 6Music changes] ] [ [http://thelineofbestfit.com/2008/02/29/6music-leading-the-fight-or-losing-its-way/ 6Music: Leading the fight or losing its way?] ] . The replacement of Gideon Coe by [http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/shows/georgelamb/ George Lamb] on the morning slot has caused controversy, including anti- [ [http://www.getlambout.org.uk/ Get George Lamb off 6Music] ] and pro- [ [http://www.keeplambin.co.uk/ Keep George Lamb on 6 Music] ] online petitions and a large volume ofcomplaints to the 6 Music messageboard [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/mb6music/F1950413?thread=5020256 6 Music Feedback:George Lamb Show] ] .

In response to the criticism, Lesley Douglas explained that the changes were intended to attract more female listeners. She intimated that men listened to music in an intellectual way while women were more emotionally attached. This in turn brought on more criticism and alleged sexism on Douglas' part. [http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/02/women_men_music.html]

tudios

In March 2006, BBC 6 Music moved from Broadcasting House to new studios in the adjacent Western House. [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/about/westernhouse BBC site about Western House] ]

Nominations and awards

BBC 6 Music was awarded the "Best Digital Radio Station" of the year 2005 by the BT Digital Music Awards (DMA). [ [http://www.dma05.com/ DMA 2005 official website] ] [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2005/10_october/19/6music.shtml BBC press release about winning the award] ] , and in September 2006, BBC 6 Music was again nominated for Best Radio Station as part of the DMAs, the BT Digital Music Awards 2006. [ [http://www.btyahoo.com/dma06/best_radio DMA Awards 2006 Best Radio Station nominations] ] [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/help/feature_dma.shtml "6 Music nominated in DMA awards" on BBC website] ]

Several of BBC 6 Music's presenters and shows have won Sony Radio Academy Awards. For example in 2006 "6 Mix" (a late-night dance/electronica show) was nominated for The Specialist Music Programme Award and presenter Marc Riley won a Silver award for The Music Radio Personality of the Year. [ [http://www.radioawards.org/winners06/win06.htm Sony Radio Academy Music Awards 2006] ] .

In 2007, BBC 6 Music was nominated for the "Radio Station of the Year" in the Music Week Awards. [ [http://www.musicweekawards.com/2007/radiostation.php Radio Week Awards 2007] — shortlist for Radio Station of the Year.]

In April 2008, comedy duo Adam Buxton and Joe Cornish's 6 Music Saturday morning show won the Broadcasting Press Guild award for Radio Programme of the Year. [http://www.broadcastingpressguild.org/?p=176] . George Lamb also won an award.

Ratings and listenership

The station's audience has grown and the 2 February 2006 RAJAR ratings show that the audience increased nearly 50% in the previous year. [ [http://www.rajar.co.uk/quarterlysummary/qstsvfiles/134/Q42005National.pdf RAJAR Quarterly Summary for Q4 2005, published February 2006] ] In October 2006 The Guardian reported that BBC 6 Music's audience had increased again and that it had the largest increase in the BBC, according to the Q3 2006 RAJAR ratings. [ [http://business.guardian.co.uk/story/0,,1931872,00.html Plunkett, John, "Commercial gaining on BBC"] , The Guardian (UK), Thursday, 26 October 2006.

"BBC 6Music was the corporation's biggest digital winner, adding 40.4% listeners year on year, up to 400,000."

] [ [http://www.rajar.co.uk/quarterlysummary/qstsvfiles/137/Q32006National.pdf RAJAR National Radio report — Q3 2006] ] The BBC have reported that this has been largely attributed to Russell Brand joining the station in March 2006. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6086738.stm "'Brand effect' boost for 6 Music"] — BBC News, Thursday, 26 October 2006.

"A 40% rise in listeners to BBC digital radio station 6 Music is being attributed to Russell Brand. The station now attracts a weekly audience of 400,000, according to industry ratings body Rajar. 'It has been good for digital radio to have a star like Russell presenting on 6 Music. He really is at the top of his form,' said controller Lesley Douglas."

] Brand left the station in November 2006.

Press coverage

In an article in The Independent, 23rd May 2005, by Ian Burrell, entitled "ANALYSIS: RADIO: Lend them your ears", the author thus describes BBC 6 Music:

"BBC 6 MUSIC Audience: 311,000 Expect: New Order, Blur, British Sea Power

A great station for the music cognoscenti, it has the feel of an indie record shop where they know every record ever made, who produced it, who played on it, what label it was on and who designed the sleeve. That's maybe why some women say it's 'too blokey'. Star DJs include Steve Lamacq and Bruce Dickinson. Liz Kershaw and Jane Gazzo try to correct any imbalance. The best thing is Dream Ticket, where you imagine you're at some of the greatest gigs ever." [ [http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20050523/ai_n14638199 ANALYSIS: RADIO: Lend them your ears, The Independent, (London), May 23, 2005 by Ian Burrell] ]

In July 2007 BBC 6 Music was in the press because of the BBC fraud scandal over rigged phone in competitions after it emerged that the Liz Kershaw show in 2006 faked a competition by using producers and their friends as ‘competition winners’. It led to the firing of a junior producer from the Liz Kershaw show on September 19th 2007. Sources compared her removal to the 'sacrificial lamb'.

On September 20th 2007, it was announced after more scandalous revelations about faked contestants on quizzes, the Head of Programmes, Ric Blaxill, had "resigned". [ [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=482950&in_page_id=1770 "BBC 6 Music head resigns following 'serious' editorial breaches"] , Daily Mail (London), September 20, 2007.]

In May 2008 George Lamb was reprimanded by the BBC for using his program to endorse Conservative candidate Boris Johnson during the London mayoral election in 2008 [ [http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/may/13/bbc.radio1?gusrc=rss&feed=politics 6Music's Lamb warned over Boris gaffe] ] . Lamb is currently being invesgitated by OFCOM following an interview with Ray Davies in which he stated on air that he thought Davies would die a slow, painful death.

tation management

*Network Controller: Lesley Douglas

Past management

*Ric Blaxill - Head of Programmes 2004-2007

Presenters and shows

Current line up

*Iyare — " Weekend Breakfast Show
*Adam & Joe — "Saturday mornings"
*Craig Charles — "Funk & Soul Show"
*Gideon Coe — Dream ticket
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/shows/music_week/biog_julie.shtml Julie Cullen] & [http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/shows/music_week/biog_matt.shtml Matt Everitt] — "The Music Week"
*Bruce Dickinson — "Friday Rock Show"
*Bob Dylan — "Theme Time Radio Hour"
*Guy Garvey — Sunday evenings
*Chris Hawkins — "Night Train"
*Jon Holmes — Saturday afternoons
*Jon Richardson — Sunday mornings
*Shaun Keaveny — "Breakfast Show"
*Liz Kershaw — Saturday Lunchtime
*Steve Lamacq — "Teatime"
* George Lamb — "Weekday mid mornings
*Lauren Laverne — mid Saturday Afternoons
*Don Letts — Saturday late nights
*Stuart Maconie — "Freak Zone"
*Clare McDonnell — Weekends overnight
*Stephen Merchant — mid Sunday afternoons
*Dave Pearce — Dance Anthems
*Nemone Metaxas — Weekday Lunchtime
*Queens of Noize — " 6 Mix" and Late Nights
*Marc Riley — "Evening Show " (Mon-Thus)
*Tom Robinson — " Friday Evenings" and BBC introducing (Sun & Mon)
*Huey Morgan — Sunday Afternoons

Past presenters

*Russell Brand, Matt Morgan and Trevor Lock
*Gary Burton
*Brinsley Forde
*Andrew Collins
*Jane Gazzo — "Jane Gazzo's Dream Ticket"
*Bob Harris
*Sean Hughes
*Phill Jupitus
*Phil Kennedy
*Willan & Ghion
*Janice Long — "Dream Ticket"
*Jayne Middlemiss
*Tracey MacLeod
*Vic McGlynn
*Eddie Piller
*Andrew Purcell
*Suggs (Graham McPherson from the band Madness)
* Asha
* Russell Howard
* Anita Rani
* Pete Mitchell
* Jen Brister
* Natasha Desborough
*Philippa Treverton Jones

ee also

*BBC Radio 1
*CBC Radio 3
*Triple J
*Le Mouv'
*Digital Audio Broadcast
*Internet radio

Notes

External links

*bbc.co.uk|id=6music/|title=BBC 6 Music
* [http://www.myspace.com/bbc6music BBC 6 Music] at MySpace
* [http://www.mediauk.com/radio/316/bbc-6-music Media UK's entry on BBC 6 Music]
* [http://www.alexa.com/data/details/traffic_details?q=&url=www.bbc.co.uk%2F6music Alexa's webpage traffic analysis of BBC 6 Music's webpage]