Record industry urges BBC to save Top of the Pops

Peter Jamieson, the British Phonographic Industry chairman, has told BBC director-general Mark Thompson that a strong body of opinion within the BPI believes that the 42-year-old show has a viable future.

"This is despite the damage done over the past few years -- and in particular, by some of the statements made about the brand over the past month," Jamieson said.

It is understood that the BPI propose to buy the rights to the show from the BBC and commission an independent production company to produce a revamped version.

The BBC has yet to publicly respond to the BPI proposal, but under the remit of its Creative Future Music Strategy, the corporation is keen to pursue digital downloads and more niche-oriented marketing for its music output.

However, any production company that took on 'Top of the Pops', providing the BBC gave its consent, would be faced with a tough task.

In August 2005 the programme shed nearly half of its viewers following an ill-feted shunt to the Sunday night slot on BBC Two, where it returned an all-time low audience of 1.1m.

The BBC had previously stated that it had made "every effort" to maintain the 'Top of the Pops' brand over the last few years, but it is clear that the corporation favours BBC Two's 'Later...With Jools Holland', and BBC Four's 'Sessions.'

The last scheduled 'Top of the Pops' is set to air on July 30, bringing an end to its 42-year reign.

If you have an opinion on this or any other issue raised on Brand Republic, join the debate in the Forum.