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Is the BBC using its Asian Network and 6Music stations as opening pawns in a cunning game of chess with critics who would like to see the corporation slashed to a size that would, among other things, minimise its alleged encroachment into commercial broadcasting areas?

The idea has been posted in a number of places since Tuesday’s announcement of proposed closures of the stations, as part of a strategic review of BBC services which would also see big reductions in its websites and teen services.

And in an online report yesterday, as Asian entertainers rallied round the station, the BBC itself reported outsider suspicions that the Asian Network and 6Music might have been carefully chosen for the three-month public consultation that lies ahead.

Jonathan Freedland of the Guardian newspaper is quoted as writing that the axing of 6Music and the Asian Network “looks so dumb, you almost suspect it’s a ruse”.

“If it’s not a stunt it’s hard to explain why the BBC would cut two networks that all but embody the corporation’s mission,” he said.

The BBC’s responsibilities for nurturing niche interests in broadcasting that are not supported elsewhere have been frequently raised by its defenders since Tuesday.

Among those rallying to the Asian Network flag is singer Jay Sean who wants the closure suggestion dropped.

The BBC said the British-born star described the station as an early champion of his music, helping him to achievements that include a US Number One hit in 2009.

On Twitter he said: “I can’t believe they are trying to shut it down. This is crazy. We (Asians) have no mainstream platforms as it is.”

Scottish music producers Tigerstyle – made up of brothers Pops and Raj – said the Asian Network was a prime source for people who wanted to hear their music.

Pops said none of the UK commercial stations played music from British-Asian talent.

“British-born artists like us are going to find it very difficult to survive. We’ve been discussing whether it is even going to be possible to keep going as musicians.”

Elsewhere on the BBC site he declared: “It’s going to kill the Asian music industry. If the station closes, artists like us won’t survive.”

Bhangra singers Jassi Sidhu and Jaz Dhami echoed Pops’ view. Sidhu said: “If they get rid of Asian Network it will be the final nail in the UK bhangra coffin.”

Sunny Hundal, editor of Asians in Media, is reported as saying on his blog: “Axing Asian Network would kill off vital media space for a lot of British Asian content and culture (documentaries, fusion music) which does not get represented on commercial alternatives.”

“It is within the BBC’s remit to represent and give a platform to minority interests that need a mainstream platform to develop and grow.”

Giving space to the debate, the BBC profiled the Asian Network as follows:

“The Asian Network features music including bhangra and hip hop and British Asian news including entertainment, Bollywood and sport.

The radio station also features the soap opera Silver Street, which was earmarked for closure last year and will air for the final time later this month.

Its parent station is Radio One and its presenters include Adil Ray and Sonia Deol. Ray recently starred in Bellamy’s People on BBC Two with Charlie Higson and Paul Whitehouse.

The BBC says the Asian Network has failed to build on its early growth and has lost 20 per cent of its listeners in the past three years (declining from 500.000 to 360,000 listeners)

The corporation says the station’s current scale appears insufficient to justify the level of BBC investment.

But the British Phonographic Society (BPI) and the AMI have written to director general Mark Thompson criticising the closure of both the Asian Network and 6 Music.

The letter stated that: “The Asian Network provides an important channel for exposure for Asian music in the UK, which does not gain exposure on many major commercial stations.”

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What do you think of the Asian Network?
Are you a regular listener?
Which shows do you like?
Or do you think it could do a better job?
Would you like to see it explore other areas of Asian culture, arts or news?

If you were once a listener, but are no longer – why did you stop listening?  Let us know how you feel about the closure proposal by leaving your comments below…