'Top of the Pops' axed after 42 years

The BBC has axed Top of the Pops after 42 years on the air, blaming the proliferation of 24 hour music channels for the show's decline.

The last edition of the long-running music programme will air on July 30, 2006, it was confirmed today by BBC director of television Jana Bennett.

"We're very proud of a show which has survived 42 years in the UK and gone on to become a worldwide brand but the time has come to bring the show to its natural conclusion," said Bennett. "Although we bid a fond farewell to Top of the Pops we remain as passionate as ever about reflecting the vitality of contemporary music across all our channels."

An internal review of the BBC's music output concluded that Top of the Pops "no longer occupies the central role it once did" in a "rapidly changing musical landscape," according to a BBC statement.

"Over recent years the show has faced ever increasing competition from multi-media and niche musical outlets which enable viewers to consume music of their choice any time night or day in a way that Top of the Pops simply cannot deliver in its current weekly format," the corporation added.