BBC 6 Music to close down!
Posted by Radiocafé on 26 Feb 2010 at 12:43 am |
Category: 1. General Music
UPDATE - 26 February 2010:
The BBC is set to close the unpopular BBC 6 Music, as part of sweeping changes to TV and radio services which are to be announced next month. The Times is also reporting that the BBC Trust has acknowledged that “it must pick up more listeners over the age of 65 and become more distinctive“, with the review ordering “Bob Shennan, the station controller, to air more jazz“.
Our article from 2008 (below) highlighted some of the failings of 6 Music - we are not surprised this decision has been made. … Continue reading
(7 votes, average: 4.43 out of 5)
Loading ...
I think there is a place here at Radiocafe for young talented singers (I mean people who would like to sing / record and write good songs) to have their say. Although the great song writers of the past had the first crack at writing popular songs for wonderful singers there are in my opinion young people around today who are equally talented. When I was starting out in the business the BBC was a great supporter and developer of young talent. Because Radio 2 changed its music policy that path is now… 
The BBC has published the results of its 2009 consultation on audience views on Radio 2 and 6 Music. The good news for many of us is that it recognises that Radio 2 is not serving the needs of older listeners. It also highlights that music from the 40s, 50s and 60s are no longer sufficiently featured in Radio 2’s programming.
If you reviewed the radio listings of the Radio Times for the first week of May back in 1986, the options for those who prefer their music on the soulful or funky side would have been as follows: Sunday at 9pm, Robbie Vincent (having moved on from BBC Radio London) with a 2 hour slot on Radio 1; Jeff Young (replacing Robbie on London), with a lunchtime Saturday show; and… that was it. Commercial radio didn’t fare much better either: Greg Edwards soldiered on with his Soul Spectrum on Capital Radio; and… 
Radiocafé is proud to present the definitive list of some of the broadcasters, presenters and other individuals who have made a wonderful contribution to the popular music cause. Sadly, many of these individuals are no longer with us, but their memory will live on for many years to come. We hope you agree that their excellence deserves to be celebrated, as each of them made it to the top of their chosen field and have brought pleasure to so many of us. If there is anyone who you feel we have missed off this… 
Click below for Radiocafé’s DEFINITIVE list of national and local BBC radio shows playing “our kind of music”. For those who appreciate quality light and easy music in the true, traditional sense, including a portion of jazz, dance bands and big bands, there are many highlights still to be found on BBC radio. Sadly, few are available on the national network and we would like to see a greater portion of the broadcasting spectrum dedicated to this kind of output. If the BBC could bring together as one station all the local shows listed… 
The sad death of Malcolm Laycock represents the final chapter of one of the most sorry stories in the recent BBC’s history. Last night (15 November, 2009) it paid tribute to the broadcaster by repeating part of a show of his from April. It was introduced by Clare Teal, the young personality who replaced him a few months ago. She announced that “the word presenter somehow does not do justice to talent like this”, and indicated the high esteem in which the BBC held Malcolm Laycock.
(4 votes, average: 4 out of 5)
10 November 2009: We are sad to learn that Maclolm Laycock passed away on 8th November 2009. Malcolm was one of the finest broadcasters, and has been greatly missed from the airwaves since his recent departure from BBC Radio 2. We are so very sorry to hear of this news, as Malcolm was a true gentleman and pioneer of the dance band cause. We were fortunate enough to meet him a few years ago, which was a privilege for us. There were few broadcasters with his vast knowledge and experience and we wish to… 
BBC radio currently fails to offer anything for a large and significant population: older listeners. While music preference should be independent of age, it is evident that the BBC provides handsomely for the youth audience: they get Radio 1, 1Xtra, 6 Music and the BBC Asian Network. And while Radio 2’s offering is aimed at the over-35s, much of the music offered is in fact aimed at attracting a younger audience. Much of it is completely unattractive to the over-70s.
Few broadcasters are more fondly remembered than Ray Moore, who entertained millions of listeners for years with his regular early morning show on Radio 2.
It always amazes me when I stumble across a pile of lovely old records in second hand shop. I’ve found loads of classic Capitol years Sinatra, loads of great 80s soul music, heaps of Nat King Cole and many a classic rarity lurking in an unsuspecting crate - all usually looking like they have never actually been played.
For those of us who like the likes of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Julie London and Ella Fitzgerald, who are the up and coming popular song stars of today? We are looking for your recommendations of singers who are made out of the same sort of stuff as Frank and Julie.
David Jacobs is worthy of every superlative. He is quite simply one of the finest broadcasters we have ever produced; his weekly BBC Radio 2 show remains one of the few, true gems on air. He has been broadcasting for over half a century, and his charm, knowledge and professionalism make every show completely special.
There are few individuals out there who can match the knowledge and appreciation of quality soul music of The Master J. Along with Greg Edwards, MJ continues to fly the flag for the very best in music and deserves his place alongside the greatest. His weekly 
Back in the early 1980s, a collection of soul LPs (and cassettes, but not CDs as they had not yet hit the shops) came along which, for many of us, changed our worlds forever.
Loading ...