MUMBAI: Media firm British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) plan to shut two radio stations '6 Music' and 'Asian Network' by 2011, reported BBC Today. The new developement is BBC's measure to cut down US $890 million in expenditure.

The two stations,'6 Music' and 'Asian Network' shared over a million dedicated listeners. Attributing to BBC Director General Mark Thompson, the report said that 6 Music and Asian Network would be shut by the end of 2011, while half of the BBC online service would close by 2013. Thompson told BBC today that there will be 25 per cent less budget for BBC online by 2013.

Among the closures will be teen services Switch and Blast radio. The new move is being widely criticized by journalists and Britain's Asian community as a question mark will now hang on the cultural interest of the community. Industry insiders believe that the closure of the radio statioons and half of BBC's online service would lead to the loss of up to 600 jobs.

Some BBC presenters are reported to have spoken openly against the cuts. The closure of 6 Music and the Asian Network is now being considered as a huge blow to the radio industry's efforts to go digital.