It's a sad time for UK radio if rumours are to be believed with the axing of BBC 6Music and Asian Network. The two networks are vital to the BBC in targeting minority and alternative audiences. It would also threaten the future of digital radio. Ok so commercial radio has to survive on market share and ad revenues in order to entice investors but surely that could be combined with a strategy to incorporate specialist music trends and support independent labels similar to the BBC model used heavily by Radio 1 and 1Xtra to champion new music. If you flick the dial you are bound to hear JLS, Leona Lewis, Cheryl Cole or something relative on your local commercial radio station - a repetitive formula that is used on American Radio.
The Asian Network brought numerous acts to the mainstream including M.I.A and Jay Sean, who got signed by US rapper Lil Wayne and scooped a number one hit in the states. 6Music is the hub for alternative and cutting edge new music and no one can replicate that. Polly Scattergood, Florence and The Machine, The Bamboos and other UK artists all received early support with daytime spins. I'm sure you would not have heard these artists on XFM, Capital and Kiss etc. If it disappears then that would cut the connection for new music to shine and branch off to other networks. Commercial radio execs complain that the beeb has too much resources, stop moaning and support new music.
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