Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

A duo of live sessions presented on the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Red Button by digital radio station Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ 6 Music attracted an audience of 1.3 million viewers, making it the most popular music session on the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's interactive service to date.

As part of the 6 Music Live strand, synth-legend Gary Numan performed with pop princess Little Boots, followed by a collaboration between Eighties new wavers Heaven 17 and electro-pop duo La Roux. Both sessions were filmed at the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's legendary Maida Vale studios and aired on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Red Button from 29 January to 6 February 2010.

All 18 tracks from the two sessions (including exclusive collaborations from Gary Numan and Little Boots on The Velvet Underground's Venus In Furs and Heaven 17 and La Roux’s take on Terence Trent D'Arby's Sign Your Name) plus exclusive interviews combined to exemplify 6 Music's ability to create unique live experiences that give audiences an insight into the musical influence of all the artists that they play.

The artists also performed their best know tracks including Are Friends Electric (Gary Numan and Little Boots) and Temptation (Heaven 17 and La Roux).

La Roux's Elly Jackson says: "I think it's great that 6 Music are doing this kind of collaboration. A lot of people who might love our music and hear our records still won't know where it comes from and what it's influenced by. It brings that music back to my generation which can only be a good thing."

Jeff Smith, Head of Music for Radio 2 and 6 Music, said: "6 Music is uniquely positioned to curate performances that link the heritage of music to its future. The phenomenal success of visualising these two 6 Music live sessions displays the voracious appetite that people have for unique musical collaborations. Having the opportunity to let so many people access them through the Red Button allows a digital radio station like 6 Music to demonstrate the distinctive nature of what it does and what it stands for."

John Denton, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Managing Editor, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Red Button, said: "2009 was our most successful year to date for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Red Button and it's great that we've kicked off 2010 with some more record breaking figures. It's clear that audiences love choice and the interactivity that the Red Button offers. These music sessions are a great way of giving audiences extra content that they can enjoy from the comfort of their living room."

The sessions received praise from viewers. One audience member stated: "absolute pleasure to listen to and watch on the Red Button, it was quite a unique event and the kind of music programme I could watch for hours".

Top 2009/2010 Music sessions on the Red Button in terms of audience:

Gary Numan & Little Boots, Heaven 17 & La Roux (6 Music) – 1.3 million

Robbie Williams on Friday Night With Jonathan Ross – 1.19 million

Elbow 2009 (Radio 2) – 0.96 million

Notes to Editors

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ 6 Music is a digital radio station that entertains lovers of popular music with a service that celebrates the alternative spirit in popular music from the Sixties to the present day.

The station's line-up includes an eclectic mix of presenters, from Steve Lamacq, Lauren Laverne and Adam & Joe to Guy Garvey, Huey Morgan and Jarvis Cocker.

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Red Button has been providing interactive services on digital TV for 10 years and reaches an average audience of 11 million viewers a week accessing a wide range of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ content.

In 2009, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Red Button delivered the most interactive Radio 1's Big Weekend and helped 6.1 million viewers enjoy the Glastonbury music festival; offered extensive F1 coverage including in-car live footage and CΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ commentary while perennial favourites included a 7.5 million crowd pleasing Wimbledon and The Chelsea Flower Show. "Maestro Cam" was a new launch for this year's Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Proms coverage and other well-received services accompanied Eurovision, In It To Win It and Ashes To Ashes providing great entertainment.

Keep up to date with the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Red Button on Twitter (@Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔRedButton) and the Red Button Blog, www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/pressred.

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