[...] Original source : http://james.cridland.net/blog/6-music-photography… [...]

[...] saw this this morning over on James Cridland’s blog.  Combines two, if used well, amazing techniques.  Tilt-shifting and time lapse photography to [...]

I think that reason the website cuts haven’t attracted the same attention are that (a) there will still be a website afterwards (b) the “half the pages” statement is so utterly, utterly meaningless. Which half? What sort of pages? Are we talking static HTML with server-side-includes? Or does http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/(index.php? if that’s what it’s cloaking) count as one? Are we talking about pages that are regularly updated, or are they just going to wipe acres of archive material just for the hell of it?

I was also surprised quite how much support on Twitter specifically there’s been for 6 Music compared to Asian network, but then, I am one of them, I listen to 6 Music semi-regularly and I can’t form a sensible judgement about the Asian network – which is the most BBC’s most expensive per listener – given I’m not Asian. At first glance there certainly seems less universal praise for it among its listeners though.

What never ceases to annoy me is how radio’s poor relationship to television remains unchallenged; pay your license fee and immediately 41% of it will go straight to BBC1. Yes, the BBC’s flagship network, but does it really need so much when all of radio receives only 17% of the pie?

I sometimes wonder whether things would be better if we paid for television and radio separately, with radio getting 1/3 or 1/2 more than it does now, but people having the ability to choose a license for either or both.

(By the way, aren’t transmissions costs almost irrelevant here? Will getting rid of 6 Music and the Asian Network actually save any money at all, with the exception of the equipment needed centrally, and the bandwidth bill for web streaming? The DAB multiplex and the transponder space carrying all the other stations will still have to be paid for, after all.)

[...] James Cridland: 6 music, photography, and tidying up [...]

This all smacks of a total knee jerk reaction to something that hasn’t even happened. OK, so the BBC needs to be smaller and less competitive? Fine, I get that. But then to say the areas in which it has no significant competition are the ones to feel the sharp side the knife isn’t a solution. 6Music may be small but it is unique, it exploits the BBc archives superbly – something which I’m sure they’ve been told to do, so if it goes will they open the archives up?
If they could point to numbers to say that 6Music took audience away from Absolute or even NME Radio then they might have a point but I suspect the listeners are not the same and even those that are split are happy to hop between them.
Ditto for the Asian Network, to say that now Punjab Radio is on Digital 1 means the BBC have to run away fast is wrong and slightly racist if you ask me. Whenever I’ve listened I’ve a beautiful mix of music and solid speech, an Asian Radio 2 + a bit of 5live (almost) Both 6Music and the Asian Network are one of the few bits a real Public Service Radio the BBC does. Yes, per listener it costs more than Radio 4 but then that would fall through the floor overnight if they put it on a few more BBC Local Am frequencies.
The cutting of online seems equally as daft. Yes, there are parts of BBC online that are remote from the core broadcast elements of the BBC but at what point do you say stop? BBC News online is brilliant and reliable and one of the websites I visit everyday and I’d miss it. There are others parts I never use and probably wouldn’t miss.
it just feels like the obvious targets are being identified rather than cutting back on over management on schemes like the BBC Academy and Connect and Create.

What about me? I’m an oldie (63). There ain’t no digital stations catering for my demographic. I’d be grateful for just a few hours a week of opt out for me and my fellows, perhaps on Long Wave or a “Radio 2 Extra”.

By the way, on DAB, the bandwidth of the two closed stations will revert to the other BBC stations – such a Radio 3 – from whence they were grabbed in the first place, allowing their audio quality to revert to their previous higher quality.

Alastair: I would find it highly unlikely that all the bandwidth saved by these closures – 196k – would revert to the other BBC stations.

True, it would enable BBC Radio 3 to stick at 192k all the time; but the BBC’s been hampered by its lack of bandwidth to launch any additional services such as visuals or programme guides – things which will significantly enhance radio listening for all.

Let’s not open a debate on DAB audio quality here, otherwise we’ll attract the unstable stalkers.

Many thanks! Interesting and thoughtful comments.

[...] James Cridland [...]

There’s another difference between The Times and 6 Music. One is paid for by the readers, both directly out of their pockets and by being subjected to advertising. The other is paid for out of taxpayer’s money.

I’d be wholly in favour of shutting down 6 Music (or even better, if it’s so popular, selling it off) if the money saved was to be returned to the taxpayer. In reality, of course, they’ll just keep it and spend it on something else.

(Disclaimer – I’ve never actually listened to it. Maybe I should do so now if it’s endangered, as I’ve heard so many good things about it)

@jupitusphillip a rumoured strike of all BBC Radio & TV staff of specialist music re axe of 6music….

Mark Thompson blogs about the BBC Strategy Review: http://tinyurl.com/ycqmshj and more details here: http://tinyurl.com/yb25f5m

If you’re going to criticise people for making a “false” comparison between 6 Music’s weekly reach and The Times’ daily circulation, then you might have at least added that said comparison came in response to The Times’ description of 6 Music as “a radio station that no one has ever listened to.” Which is, of course, equally “false”.