Steve Lamacq defends BBC 6 Music

Steve Lamacq has urged the BBC to reconsider plans to close radio station 6 Music in 2011.

The digital channel is due to cease programming next year along with Asian Network as part of an overhaul of the broadcaster.

Writing on his Going Deaf For A Living blog, Lamacq accused BBC audio and music director Tim Davie of a "sleight of hand" in his recent backing of the plans to close 6 Music.

Lamacq said: "Davie maintains that having nine standalone BBC radio stations is too many (when I think what he means is there's 'too many brands' and losing a couple will make it easier to market what they have left - while also putting on a show for people who are demanding the BBC's blood. We are a radio station up for a public flogging!)

"The inference from Davie is that they are considering moving some 6 Music shows, possibly to Radio 2, to give them 'a bigger audience'. But given that Radio 2 has recently been told to become 'more distinctive' and create more programmes for the over-60s, that doesn't look particularly practical."

He added of the station: "Don't scrap it now before its fully discovered its true identity. Instead, in five years' time, take the praise for what it will have grown into and achieved: an independently-minded station on the periphery of pop.

"A station which understands and celebrates our musical history - while always looking to the future You might be surprised."

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