106.1 Rock Radio morphs into Real XS

GMG Radio’s Classic Rock station in Manchester has changed name from Rock Radio to Real XS.

The switch-over took place at midnight, and is part of the group’s attempt to make the format an attractive commercial proposition for advertisers.

GMG Radio says the new name in Manchester will ‘benefit from the brand strength and scale of sister station Real Radio’. However, in Glasgow, 96.3 Rock Radio will continue for the foreseeable future until a decision is made to sell the station to former brand manager Billy Anderson or re-brand as Real XS.

Just before midnight, the stations voice-over artist Nick Coady was heard closing 106.1 Rock Radio, but was interupted by a phone call asking him to stay on as the voice of Real XS.

The station has extended its reach too – appearing on extra DAB multiplexes in London, West Midlands and North West England, in addition to the North East, Yorkshire and South Wales & Severn Estuary.

At the time of announcing the decision to discontinue with the “Rock Radio” brand, GMG Radio Chief Executive Stuart Taylor said: “There is a clear appetite for the music we play and these plans will give both stations the best possible chance of growth and success, provide an attractive commercial proposition for advertisers and mean that this genre of music continues to thrive in these two regions.”

We should know in the next few weeks the outcome of the decision regarding the future of 96.3 Rock Radio.