There is uncertainty over the future of Xfm Scotland following announcements from its parent organisation Global about plans for the station’s London cousin.
Recently plans have emerged which detail the rebranding of the station as Radio X, with new DJs in the form of Chris Moyles, Vernon Kay, Johnny Vaughn and Kaiser Chief Ricky Wilson. Long-standing London-based DJ Eddy Temple-Morris has also recently quit the station.
Currently Xfm Scotland broadcasts digitally with local programming for much of its schedule including Fraser Thomson at Breakfast and Jim Gellatly in the drivetime slot. It also broadcasts in the Paisley area on FM. However, Radiotoday website quotes a source at Global saying the company is handing back its licence for Paisley to Ofcom. The regulator’s rules state that an English station cannot be fully networked to Scotland, suggesting that 24 hour DAB programming from London is on the cards.
A station spokesperson stated: “We are making some changes to XFM which affect a small but important number of presenters and staff. These sorts of decisions are always difficult and we’d like to thank them for their huge contribution to the station over the years and wish them well for the future.
“A very small number of staff members in Manchester and Glasgow will be affected. We are keen for them to stay with us and are working with them to find other suitable opportunities at Global.”
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News: An eX-FM radio station? http://t.co/FMjJ7urVxv
See, I’d love to look at this objectively and dispassionately. A digital-only station taking on local FM, plus the Beeb (Moyles vs Grimshaw) via celebrity DJs? A last-ditch attempt for an ailing format to win round listeners? Could it spark DAB radio sales and herald a new era in broadcasting?
More objectively however, it’s just indie music, and Scottish radio receiving another kick in the baws.
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