GMG Radio has revealed the new name for Q96 in Renfrewshire. 96.3 Rock Radio will commence broadcasting in 2007 and play artists such as Aerosmith, Pink Floyd, Simple Minds, The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin.
The station successfully re-located to Real Radio in Glasgow earlier this month, as Ofcom agreed to allow the station to broadcast from outside the TSA.
GMG Radio promised to honor the existing format of the station (with additions such as more local news) if Ofcom agreed to the physical move of the station to the home of Real Radio (Scotland) in Baillieston. But because the format simply commits the station to playing music, GMG Radio can easily switch the station from pop music to rock music whilst remaining within format.
96.3 Rock Radio will broadcast to a new larger TSA of over 800,000 adults across Paisley and Renfrewshire from January onwards and will be supported by a significant marketing campaign, whilst continuing to broadcast news and content for the area.
Real Radio’s Managing Director Billy Anderson said: “This is a very exciting opportunity. By providing a new station for the TSA focussing on an extremely successful genre of music, 96.3 Rock Radio will provide an alternative listen whilst encompassing the key local news and information services. The development of this exciting new brand can only further compliment GMG Radio’s portfolio of stations”.
96.3 Rock Radio will have to make sure the music is mainly a spread of ex-top 40 hits from the 60s to the present day, whilst current and re-current tracks will never make up more than 45% of the music output, as per the station format.
Last week GMG Radio asked Ofcom to change the format of London station 102.2 Smooth FM from jazz, soul and R&B to an easy listening station for the capital. The company also dominated the headlines with the purchase of Century FM in the Northwest and Northeast.