If you’re already a seasoned DAB radio user or hoping to becoming one of the digital faithful over the festive period, you will find yourself host to a glut of channels both old and new. The familiar will be presented to you in crystal clear clarity with none of the detuned static of old, and regardless of location there should be something new to appeal to even the most obscure of tastes. However on your travels across the modern landscape of radio there is one particular channel that could be more deserving of your time and attention than most.

6Music was launched in 2002 and classed amongst the first wave of the BBC’s digital alternative radio stations. A stance that would see it sitting to the left of the mainstream popular formats of Radio 1 and 2. In terms of content the station would champion some of music’s more selective tastes both in terms of current acts and via access to the BBC’s extensive archives of live recordings that in many cases were courtesy of the late John Peel. There was also the promise of such live sessions featuring contemporary artists being carried forward as part of 6Music’s ethos.

That was the premise that was laid out in 2002, but fast forward to 2005 and how has this roadmap panned out?

Well, actually it’s turned out pretty good.

6Music’s strengths lay in the fact that unlike many of the other BBC channels it doesn’t adhere to a rigid demographic. For example if you look at Radio 1’s target audience there is a strong bias towards the teen and twentysomething market that is reflected in the strong rotation of chart based acts. I can’t help but think that this sort of approach underestimates the maturity and musical curiosity of some of radio’s younger listeners. I get the strong impression that today’s listener regardless of age is prepared to cast their musical net a little further whether that be checking out what’s new or listening to something of a particular vintage.

6Music seems to understand this and for me that is why the station works, the presenters have for the most part been picked for their speciality tastes. You’ve got the obvious candidates lined up in the shape of former Radio 1 sidekick Marc Riley with his eclectic indie tastes, Bruce Dickinson (of Iron Maiden) bolstering the rock faithful with weekend metal show and Steve Lamacq with his ongoing crusades to bring something new to our training ears.

You’ve also got arguably the best if unsung breakfast show on radio right now with Phill Jupitus and Phil Wilding. This is not the hackneyed “wake up call” radio that arms itself with a cheesy cheerful demeanour. It takes into account that if you’re up at an ungodly hour then you don’t necessarily have to like it. Jupitus can sound like a grouchy sod at times, but that fact alone can make him worth the entertainment value, add to that his mix of old and new (often with a smattering of ska which seems to be his penchant) and you have something that has an appeal right across the board.

Other highlights of late have been the 6Mix Miss Adventures specials, the likes of Ladytron, Sister Bliss and Sarah Cracknell were drafted in to highlight sets of their favourites tunes as well the songs that influenced them during their formative years. Interspersed with the music we got interesting insights into the women behind the music.

Another positive in the station’s arsenal is its interactivity with the audience. Now I’m not claiming that 6Music is the first and only channel to make use of modern technology to communicate with its listeners. The phone in, the text message and in more recent years the message board and chat room are now available to most major broadcasting concerns.

However in this instance 6Music takes interactivity that one step further, in some cases the shows are reliant on listener interaction. Programs like The Dream Ticket put together a show based around the listener’s ideal gig or festival line up. Once again this is where access to the BBC archives comes into play, for that air of authenticity the show only plays live versions of the songs. If the majority of the audience don’t like a live gig that’s playing, well it gets cut early. Shows like this seem to garner a regular audience that gives them an almost familial feel. Regular contributors via text and the boards begin to feel almost like parts of the show to which they are contributing. At times this approach almost makes you wonder if this is truly the work of the BBC. Sure its professional and well put together, but with an uncommon air of geniality that other stations often seem to fake leading to a sickly case of the “Tony Blackburns”.

So to close, if you’re looking for a station that combines a broad spectrum of music (including some cracking new finds) with knowledgeable and entertaining presenters who aren’t the usual rabid egomaniacs that can be found on certain other channels then 6Music could be your new listening companion.

6Music is currently available on DAB radio (remember folks, check for availability in your area), Sky TV and Freeview, and of course courtesy a live stream from the BBC’s own website.