Cancellation
On 23 January 2006, the BBC announced that by April 2006 the UK Theme would be scrapped, the station opening instead with a news briefing and extended shipping forecast. Explaining the decision, Radio 4 controller Mark Damazer said: "I know there are some people who will regret the passing of the UK Theme, but I believe the bulk of the audience will be better served by a pacy news briefing, read by one of Radio 4's team of news readers."
The announcement led to mass coverage in the British media and even to comments in its support by then Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown. On the 24 January, several British MPs submitted Early Day Motions about the theme, which led to a question being asked at Prime Minister's Questions, with then Prime Minister Tony Blair referring to the "strong feeling" around the country. Also, BBC Newsnight presenter Jeremy Paxman played the UK Theme to end the programme on a number of occasions and several British orchestras and institutions have also pledged to play the theme. These include British supermarket chain ASDA, and London speech radio station, LBC. ASDA said: "We are going to be playing the UK Theme at 10am every morning on ASDA FM, our in-store radio, so that our customers will be treated to this rousing musical medley as they do their weekly shop." David Lloyd, the managing director of LBC, said: "We're with Paxman on this. If our friends at Radio 4 don't want the theme tune anymore, then we would seriously like to acquire it ". Fritz Spiegl's widow, Ingrid, added her support, saying: "I feel the voice of the people should be heard".
Meanwhile, another controversy broke out as to whether it was solely Fritz Spiegl who arranged the piece, as the family of Manfred Arlan, the RLPO's principal bassoonist for 35 years claimed it was a joint authorship, citing both names on the score. Spiegl's widow suggested that Arlan was only the copyist, whereas Arlan's family suggested his contribution was more extensive. As both composers are deceased, the true authorship remains unclear, although the published orchestral edition names both men.
On 31 March 2006 the BBC issued a press release confirming that the new Radio 4 schedule would begin on Monday 24 April, meaning that the UK Theme was played for the last time on Sunday 23 April. In it the Controller of Radio 4, Mark Damazer, said: "I'm sorry that part of the audience is upset by the removal of the UK Theme. They may like to know that we will be offering the UK Theme as a stream on the Radio 4 website, where it will be available from Friday 21 April." The following day, the Daily Telegraph carried a short piece saying that the campaign to save the theme had "failed."
On 1 April 2006, the Today Programme transmitted a piece claiming that the UK Theme would be replaced by a new "EU theme". This was later confirmed as an April Fool joke.
The BBC has released no official figure for the number of complaints it has received on the matter of dropping the UK Theme. However, a MediaGuardian article dated 29 March put it at "more than 6,000".
On Friday 21 April, the UK Theme officially went online on the Radio 4 website.
Read more about this topic: Radio 4 UK Theme