BBC response to 6Music article
Last week I wrote a short, ranty piece about my view on the lack of support 6 Music gives to independent and alternative acts on daytime shows. The BBC have issued a response, so I think it’s only fair to let them have their say without any additional comment from me:
The remit of BBC 6 Music, as stated by the BBC Trust, is to entertain lovers of popular music with a service that celebrates the alternative spirit in popular music from the 1960s to the present day.
Its programmes juxtapose current releases outside the mainstream with earlier recordings, including music from the BBC Sound Archive. It should provide context for the music it plays, and support live music and new artists. The service remit also states that 6 Music must ensure that no more than 30% of all music played each year is new. This new music is spread across the playlist and is made up of new releases from both Independent and Major labels.
All 6 Music producers are involved in choosing that list on behalf of their shows and presenters. The playlist system is in place to ensure that tracks are not overplayed and that we have a clear ‘music sound’ identity across the day. 6 Music does not discriminate on the size of a label or genre of music. If a track is presented for consideration it is considered purely on merit.
Daytime shows are also free to spot play tracks from any label they choose - we do not put in a mandatory ruling that they should be from any particular level of label.
Ultimately we believe 6 Music demonstrably does play a wider varietal range and larger amount of songs than any other UK radio station. This diverse musical output is reflected by a diverse schedule across the week.
Primal Scream week is a celebration of one of the UK’s most important ‘indie’ bands who, it could be argued, embody the alternative spirit that 6 Music aims to celebrate. Their album Screamadelica was released on an Independent label - Creation Records, before Creation was sold to Sony Records. It is arguably one of the seminal albums of the 90s and holds a strong resonance with our audience. Primal Scream not only gives us the opportunity to bring our listeners a unique experience via the live broadcast of the London Olympia gig but also contextualise it through interviews with key figures involved in its making.
