When people discovered the joys of 'alternative' sounds

Some pretty recherché tastes and opinions enjoyed a larger audience than usual last week thanks to the announcement of the BBC's plans to axe its "alternative" station, 6 Music. Only 20% of the adult population were previously aware of its existence, according to the BBC Trust's strategy review ("Putting Quality First"). But when director general Mark Thompson earmarked 6 for closure on Tuesday – along with the Asian Network – it wasn't just union leaders, fearing the loss of 600 jobs, who complained. Writing in the Guardian on Wednesday, Lily Allen said she hoped that the backlash the BBC immediately received "will make them think twice". Comedian Adam Buxton confronted Thompson on Channel 4 news, calling him "Tommo" and inviting him to step outside for a fight (Thompson looked exasperated). Save 6 viral videos and Facebook and Twitter campaigns sprang into life. BBC Trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons then indeed conceded that "public concern" might necessitate an about-turn, but on Friday, the corporation's director of audio and music, Tim Davie, insisted that while he himself is "passionate" about 6, he still agreed with the new plans to "strengthen and simplify". Others showed themselves equally passionate. The previous week, shadow culture minister Ed Vaizey had welcomed prospective cuts at the BBC; now, after sticking his finger in the wind, he said he thought 6 "is brilliant with a passionate and articulate fan base. Having not listened to 6 Music, I took it on trust that the BBC knew what it was doing in this regard. "Several things have happened since I spoke out. I had no strong views on 6 Music on Friday... I am now an avid listener." Perhaps – for all his silly flip-flopping –he's not the only one.