BBC Radio 6 Music named UK Station of the Year
Digital radio station BBC Radio 6 Music has been named as UK Station of the Year at the Sony Award’s.
It is the first time that a digital only station has won the gong, highlighting the strides being taken in the sector to win over listeners and now accounts for almost 30% of all listening.
Radio 6 Music saw off stiff competition from the likes of BBC Radio 2 and Kerrang! Radio - marking a sharp reversal of fortunes after the station was very nearly axed in a budget cutting exercise in 2010.
Since that time the station’s audience has more than doubled to 1.4m.
Ford Ennals, CEO of Digital Radio UK, says: “This is truly a landmark moment for digital radio and a huge recognition of the quality and innovation offered by digital-only radio stations. We know that listeners to digital radio absolutely love the additional choice of stations and couldn’t live without them.”
Paul Rodgers, Head of Programmes, BBC Radio 6 Music, added: “I am delighted that BBC 6 Music has been named UK Station of the Year at the Sony Radio Academy Awards.This is a massive vote of confidence and reinforces the great belief that listeners have in our station.”
Adrian Northover-Smith, Sony’s Head of Corporate Public Affairs noted: “The Sony Radio Academy Awards are the UK’s most prestigious awards for radio excellence and it is fitting at this time of accelerating digital growth that 6 Music has been recognised as the UK Station of the Year.”