A vociferous campaign to save 6 Music from the axe has succeeded in winning a stay of execution for the digital radio station after the BBC Trust agreed to review the alternative music stations fate.

The BBC’s director general, Mark Thompson, had set out to close both 6 Music and the Asian Network following a strategy review but high level supporters of the channel, including Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Broadcasting Minister Ed Vaizey forced a rethink.

Thompson is said to have been privately delighted by the furore over the niche channels, believing it to illustrate the value of some of the broadcasters more niche activities.

With the brouhaha surrounding 6 at fever pitch viewing figures have soared to reach a record breaking 1m listeners a week.

The music industry meanwhile regards the station as a key platform for new bands which commercial stations may be reluctant to play.

Other measures contained in the review, such as capping spending on sports rights, will be unaffected by the Trust’s decision.