BBC Radio 6 Music

For other stations known as Radio 6, see Radio 6.

BBC Radio 6 Music
Logo used since 2022
Broadcast areaUnited Kingdom and Internationally via Satellite and BBC Sounds
Frequency
Programming
Language(s)English
FormatAlternative/Indie music
Ownership
OwnerBBC
OperatorBBC North (Manchester)
BBC Radio (London)
BBC Radio 2
History
First air date
11 March 2002; 22 years ago (2002-03-11)
Former names
BBC 6 Music (2002–2011)
Technical information
Licensing authority
Ofcom
Links
WebsiteBBC Radio 6 Music via BBC Sounds
BBC Radio
Nationwide
Digital-only

BBC Radio 6 Music[1] is a British digital radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It primarily plays a wide range of alternative music, from established and emerging artists and bands. In 2002 it was the first national music radio station to be launched by the BBC in 32 years.[2] It is available only on digital media: DAB radio, BBC Sounds, digital television, and throughout northern and western Europe through the Astra 2B satellite.

BBC Radio 6 Music has been described as a "dedicated alternative music station".[3] Many presenters have argued against the perception that the main focus is indie guitar music.[4] The station itself describes its output as "the cutting edge music of today, the iconic and groundbreaking music of the past 60 years and access to the BBC's wonderful music archive".[5] Its format resembles eclectic radio as seen in other countries, as while there is a programmed playlist there is a wide range of music genres played on the station with pop, rock, dance, electronic, indie, hip-hop, R&B, punk, funk, grime, metal, soul, ska, house, reggae, jazz, blues, world, techno, experimental and many other genres played regularly on the station. Added to this is a greater degree of presenter choice in relation to the programmed playlist in comparison to other BBC radio stations but particularly compared to commercial radio. Since 2014, an annual music festival, 6 Music Festival, has been held in different cities around the United Kingdom and broadcast live on the station. Beginning in 2023 the 6 Music Festival will be held only in Greater Manchester every year with a more scaled back event.[6][7]

In July 2010, the BBC Trust announced it had rejected a proposal by the BBC to close 6 Music to provide commercial rivals more room.[8] The trust commented that the station was "well-liked by its listeners, was highly distinctive and made an important contribution".[9] In 2018, 6 Music was the most listened-to digital-only radio station, with an average weekly audience of 2.53 million.[10]

According to RAJAR, the station broadcasts to a weekly audience of 2.5 million with a listening share of 2.5% as of March 2024.[11]

  1. ^ BBC, "BBC Radio 6 Music Programmes – Radcliffe and Maconie, With Guy Garvey, Cerys Matthews and Jarvis Cocker", 4 April 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
  2. ^ BBC 6 Music pre-release website – archived website from 15 February 2002. "Stand by for the BBC's first new national music radio station in 32 years"
  3. ^ Charlotte Philby (3 March 2012). "What went so right for the BBC's 6 Music?". The Independent. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  4. ^ Alexis Petridis (10 March 2012). "The fall and rise of BBC 6 Music". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  5. ^ "About Radio 6 Music". BBC. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  6. ^ Martin, Tim (15 February 2016). "BBC 6 Music Festival, Bristol, review: 'could become one of Britain's greatest'". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  7. ^ "BBC Radio 6 Music Festival 2023 returns". Bbc.com. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  8. ^ "BBC 6 Music and Asian Network face axe in shake-up". BBC News. 2 March 2001. Archived from the original on 3 March 2010. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
  9. ^ "BBC Trust Strategic Review Interim Conclusions". BBC Trust. Archived from the original on 1 August 2014.
  10. ^ "Quarterly Listening". Rajar.co.uk. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  11. ^ "RAJAR". Rajar.co.uk. Retrieved 1 September 2023.