BBC 6 Music And Asian Network Facing Closure, BBC Confirms

BBC Director General Mark Thompson has confirmed that the corporation is proposing the closure BBC 6 Music and the Asian Network.

The announcement, made to staff this morning, follows recent speculation about both station's future.

He said the earliest 6 Music and Asian Network would close would be the end of 2011.

Teen services Switch and Blast will also be closed as part of a raft of new measures aimed at streamlining the BBC.

Writing in today's Guardian, Mr Thompson said: "The BBC should not attempt to do everything.

“It must listen to legitimate concerns from commercial media players more carefully than it has in the past, and act sooner to meet them.

“It needs the confidence and clarity to stop as well as to start doing things."

A report about the possible closure of 6 Music last week led to an internet campaign to save the station.

As well pledging support to a Facebook group, fans also adopted a Twitter hashtag - #savebbc6music – to highlight the situation.

David Bowie also praised the DAB radio station, saying its closure would be "a great shame”.

The corporation's Director General also announced this morning that 25% less would be spent on BBC's Online output by 2013.

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