Photo: Wenn
Drenge-loving MP Tom Watson has called for BBC 6 Music to be granted a space on the FM dial.
Following nearly closing four years ago, digital-only station BBC 6 Music continues to go from strength to strength and has tripled its audience since 2009. The station recently narrowly overtook Radio 3 with 1.89 million listeners a week compared to the other stations 1.88 million.
Watson told The Guardian at the Radio Festival in Salford said: “It does strike me if the Radio 3 audience continues to diminish and 6 Music continues to grow its audience, the BBC should seriously consider it, they must put it on their agenda."
“6 Music is a huge success story for the BBC. They tried to close it down and its audience doubled, they now have more listeners digitally than Radio 3 has got on both digital and the FM network."
Watson was clear that he isn't calling for the end of Radio 3. "I’m not saying close Radio 3, but I’m saying it’s becoming a niche station and niche stations can be provided for digitally and over the net.”
A BBC spokesman told the Guardian: “We are very proud of both stations and think they are working brilliantly for listeners as they are, so we see no reason to change their broadcast arrangements.”
BBC 6 Music recently released their first book 'The Alternative Jukebox' which is out now, published by Cassell.
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