With more job cuts and a fall in listenership, Global Radio is struggling to maintain its position in the radio landscape. News came today that posts were to go at XFM and Gold.
At best, estimates are that twenty jobs will be lost. Redundancies are expected online, in marketing and design departments too. Perhaps more shockingly, given each network’s original remit, it seems likely that Capital’s production team will oversee XFM’s output. More understandably it looks likely that Gold will be allied to the Heart network.
XFM has shrunk to just two stations in London and Manchester respectively, has recently lost high profile presenter Alex Zane and appears to be switching tack by employing veteran broadcaster Richard Skinner as part of its line-up. Gold, created from a merger of Capital Gold and Classic Gold has lost over a quarter of a million listeners in less than two years.
A spokesman for Global Radio said: "Global continues to evolve its structure to suit its new business model. This is in line with our strategy and it is the responsibility of the board to drive efficiencies where possible.
"This, as well as the current economic climate, means it is appropriate for us to constantly evaluate and adapt our structure to ensure our continued success. Unfortunately, this sometimes means the company has to take some tough decisions."
