It has been confirmed that the 6Music and Asian Network radio stations will be closed as BBC director general Mark Thompson unveiled the corporation's future strategy.

Mr Thompson also confirmed that the teen services Switch and Blast would be shut down, saying Channel 4 should lead the way in programming for this market.

The changes suggest the BBC has shifted its focus away from an entire generation, with teenage audiences neglected through the closures of Switch and Blast and the concerns of 6Music's largely twentysomething listeners ignored.

The Times newspaper claimed last week to have seen leaked documents that suggested the digital stations would be closed and online operations scaled back as the BBC looks to redesign its funding approach.

While an estimated £600 million could be diverted into programming, the new strategy may result in the loss of jobs at digital radio stations, the closure of the official magazines of shows such as Top Gear and a 25 per cent cut in online staff.

Director general Mr Thompson stressed the upcoming changes did not represent a "blueprint for a small BBC, or a BBC that is in retreat from digital".

"That is the last thing the British public want," he continued.

Mr Thompson's remarks came before he announced a 25 per cent reduction in spending on the BBC's online output from 2013.

"They want – and I want – a BBC that has the confidence to concentrate on what it does best: which is to deliver services of outstanding quality and originality and to be a beacon of creativity and excellence for audiences everywhere."

The rumoured closure of 6Music and the Asian Network had been widely criticised, with online campaigns fervently protesting that the former be saved and Asian media experts suggesting the closure of the latter could reduce the amount of Asian content in mainstream outlets.

After the announcement that the station would be closed by the end of 2011, 6Music presenter Shaun Keaveny said: "First of all, massive thanks to everyone who has shown their support, it's literally choking us up."

Lauren Laverne added: "This is probably not the easiest of day for us, probably not the easiest day to be on the radio, to be honest with you, especially not this station, which I love with all my heart. So thank you very much for all your kind words."

BBC presenter and journalist Charlie Brooker was also disappointed by the closures, saying: "I was going to buy a digital radio next week. If they get rid of BBC 6 Music I might as well not bother."

Both the broadcasting workers' union Bectu and the National Union of Journalists have attacked the BBC's decision, claiming the imminent general election has influenced the proposals.
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