The BBC's leaked plans to shut alternative music station 6Music and the Asian Network have prompted angry repsonses from musicians, music industry leaders and staff.

The BBC is apparently making the cuts to avoid future interference from a Conservative government. Clearly a top heavy management with inappropriate salaries, excessive fees to top talent and generous expenses are an ongoing and serious problem for a publicly funded organisation which was completely buffered from the recession which has damaged commercial rivals - but the loss of 6Music is alarming and BPI Chair Tony Wadsworh said that the station had been pivotal in launching the careers of artists like the Ting Tings and the Killers in the UK saying "This shows a fundamental misunderstanding about the way their music services work. 6Music is not going to be replicated by the commercial sector". With another leak showing a 25% reduction in staff threatened to BBC Online services including bbc.co.uk as well as the cessation of the BBC's Blast! and Switch youth brands, BBC trade unions have threatened industrial action over the loss of 600 jobs. David Bowie is amongst opponents of the plans to close 6Music saying "6Music keeps the spirit of broadcasters like John Peel alive, and for new artists to lose this service would be a shame".

27/02/10