BBC 6 Music is not the most listened to radio station in England. It leans away from mainstream music and focuses on alternative genres.
The powers that be at the BBC (British Broadcasting Company) announced that the station will close in 2011. They want to concentrate their investment on media with greater profit potential.
BBC 6 has only been around for eight years. It was launched on March 11, 2002 and rapidly gained a loyal worldwide audience that tune in via the Internet or satellite subscription.
The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) started a website, Joy of 6 Music, to protest against the planned closure. Some big names have been posting comments on the site.
Depeche Mode’s Dave Gahan said the planned closure of 6 Music would be "one of the biggest broadcasting injustices ever."
The Cure’s Robert Smith gave his two cents, saying: "It is one of the few ways – if not the only way – for musicians new and old unwilling or unable to conform to any dull, notional mainstream to be heard by a national audience."