The feedback to Ofcom’s consultation about the proposal to change XS Manchester to Capital XTRA sees 51 objections and two in favour.
Of the two welcoming the news, one is a local music company whilst the other simply comments “Since the last rebrand it’s been a dreadful station, put it out of its misery, sooner the better.”
But over 50 people took the time to write to Ofcom to help block the move. Some of the comments include:
- What are you thinking? XS is a brilliant station that I listen to every day. Please do not alter anything, especially not in favour of that ‘urban’ nonsense.
- There are already numerous options for people to listen to if they want “urban contemporary music”. There is no need for another one.
- I can not see how changing format from a rock music station to a hip hop/RnB station is in the interests of current listeners. The two music styles are completely contrasting.
- For the sake of diversity, history and a platform for new talent to shine, please do not grant this change.
- If XS Manchester was to be cease output, thousands of people in the Greater Manchester region would be deprived of a radio station that supports up and coming indie/rock/alternative artists and provides programming directly relevant to the local music scene.
- If this change goes ahead, there will be nothing left in the area for people of my age, who just want to listen to music, which for the most part is actually written and performed by the actual artist. Listening to Chris Moyles & Johnny Vaughan on Radio X really isn’t an option. Please don’t take XS Manchester away!
- Quite frankly I am incredibly disappointed that this is taking place at all. Just when Manchester has a decent radio station playing the music I like with likeable people presenting. The comments that my radio needs will be met by Radio X are laughable.
- I am proud of and this station had already changed so much from the one I started listening to – but stuck with it because of their promotion of new music and support of Grass Roots – it would be a travesty if I had to listen to Chris Moyles every morning!
Last year, station owner Communicorp asked Ofcom to change the format of rock and speech service XS Manchester into a service playing urban contemporary music of an Afro-Caribbean origin.
Ofcom said it is minded to approve the change, which would lead to Global’s Capital XTRA service being broadcast on 106.1FM in Manchester, closing XS.
Part of the Format change would mean the station only needs to provide three hours a day of local programming – meaning a regular regional Capital XTRA show would be made for the first time.
XS Manchester launched in 2008 as Rock Radio and has also been known as Real XS
The closing date for comments was 17th January 2020, and a decision is expected to be announced shortly.
I hope Ofcom do not ignore these comments. I fear the worst. I hope to god I’m wrong.
If it was a profitable station Ofcom might have another think, but it’s making heavy financial losses.
Communicorp still have the option of turning it into an automated station like Jack FM. There is no licence requirement to have live presenters.
It’s gone downhill rapidly – the morning show is dreadful now – features such as ‘the loudest handclap in Manchester’ and ‘am I upstairs or downsatairs on the bus’, I mean come on, really??
Clint has the only show worth listening to – the rest is just dross. Bin the presenters off to other capital stations and just play the music.
There’s plenty of capitals who needs another
WHAT! capital xtra is on National dab. People have this option across Britain. Don’t waste another licence on Global. There’s not many rock stations around.
If they don’t approve the change, comunicorp will probably just change it to a non stop station come to think of it.
£238k loss last year apparently
The purpose of Communicorp is to warehouse licences at arms length that Global can’t hold but wish to utilise for thier services hence there is no strategy or desire to operate non global brands or programmng other than that which they have to. Of course they will make the case for format changes that support this strategy. This is not about listener choice it’s about ironing our the bumps the law and licences present to operators to put out what hey want where they want to maximise thier revenue and brand reach. It’s a reasonable aim and objective from a corporate point of view I doubt a few listener objections factor strongly in OFCOM consideration. We are in a landscape now where available frequencies and licences are used to align to bigger brands and networked programming.
The suspense is killing me, I hope Ofcom come to a decision soon, whatever the outcome.
And who will OFCON listen to?
The two that are happy with the change rather than the 51 against as the regulator will always do what the conglomerates (or their minions) want.
And if the Bauer takeovers are approved, it will be just like what happened to American in the last 20 years – in the hands of huge conglomerates with radio networks aimed at the same audience.
These are the same conglomerates which are now greedily eyeing up the BBC licences in the hope they are sold off.
If this is rejected XS will probably let go of most of the presenters anyway. There is nothing in the licence format that says they can’t automate it to keep costs down and reduce the losses. Communicorp will say “fine, we’ll just turn it into a computer in a cupboard.”
As a radio station I’m not sure that’s worth saving.
I’m sure Global/Communicorp will get their own way in spite of the 51 objections to the format change.
As XS is making significant financial losses, and their music format is not too dissimilar to that of Radio X, it’s hard to envisage the station continuing in its current format. Even if they don’t get approval to change to Capital XTRA, there’s nothing stopping them from automating the station’s entire output or closing it down completely.
It is British comercial radio – nothing whatsoever to do with what the audience wants …
That’s an illogical statement, because no commercial operator is going to broadcast output that nobody wants to listen to. If this format was profitable Communicorp or someone else would be doing it to make money.
Global would replace R1 with Capital and R2 with Smooth. And probably R5 Live with London’s Biggest Conservatives.