‘Great surprise’ at demise of Xfm Manchester, as GCap delivers ‘regional snub’ - North West Media News

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‘Great surprise’ at demise of Xfm Manchester, as GCap delivers ‘regional snub’

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Tuesday, 12 February 2008

Xfm Manchester is set to be closed or sold off, following GCap’s announcement yesterday that it is to dispose of the regional operations of the popular brand and focus its energies on Xfm London.

The news came as a shock to senior management at the station, which only hit the airwaves in March 2006, and effectively throws the future of some 40 staff ‘up in the air’.

Speaking to How-Do, station MD Ande McPherson said: “There was a senior management meeting on Sunday and that’s when I found out. It all came as a great surprise.

“There’s not that much I can give you beyond the official company statement, as this has only just come out into the open today and we’re trying to deal with it as we speak.”

McPherson, who would not be drawn on what he thinks will now happen to the station, confirmed that there were 40 staff and freelancers currently working on Xfm Manchester, with a national sales team operating out of the same Salford Quays office.

GCap now hopes to sell off the station licences, alongside those of sister outfits Xfm Scotland and Xfm Wales (which only launched in November), or, failing this, simply hand them back to Ofcom at the end of March.

Speaking about these options, an insider at the station claimed: “I’m actually pretty optimistic.

“The station has been performing well and is ahead of its targets. There’s already interest in it as a result.

“I know the station will live on in some form,” they added, “just not as Xfm Manchester.”

The move, which is part of a £9m cost-cutting initiative (projected to increase profits by £12.3m), also sees the group closing cult digital stations Planet Rock and theJazz.

Speaking about the plans an industry observer noted: “This is a great shame and a regional snub.

“They’re retreating to London with a strong brand that had huge potential in Manchester and beyond.

“It’ll now be interesting to see who steps in.”

GCap is currently fighting a takeover bid by the Charles Allen led consortium Global Radio.

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Comments (8)

1 By Nigel Barley, on 12-02-2008 09:08
Couldn't believe this when I heard it. a great shame indeed.

xfm didn't even have two years to establish itself in Manchester, but it became a part of the fabric of the city/airwaves very quickly and was a real antidote to some of the other commercial stations here.

Very good for supporting upcoming bands and generally invigorating the music scene too.

It will be missed. rip x

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2 By Not so fast, on 12-02-2008 11:09
I very much doubt whether this will happen in the form currently being put about. GCap are under pressure to cut costs to stave off a hostile takeover from Global Radio run by Charles Allen (for it is he) and XFM's a soft target for the chop. If shareholders decide to take Allen's money instead of letting these cuts take effect, the whole of GCap, including XFM, will continue to operate under Global.

I never personally found the station particularly inspiring... it was a breath of fresh air when it first appeared, but it seems to have become stuck in a loop of the same few "next big thing" indie bands in the past couple of years. Revolution on 96.2 is a less clear signal, but seems to have better music. (It also has no listeners.)

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3 By Revolution time, on 12-02-2008 13:53
Someone else listens to 96.2 Revolution? Amazing.

It's a good station and launched the careers of many an xfm jockey - Clint Boon had his first regular broadcast stint with them.

They took a brave decision to play what they wanted and then basically lost all their listeners. The figures will come back though, it just needs patience on the owners behalf.

xfm? I agree with the looped indie great white hopes, but at least it was something different.

Interesting to see how it progresses at any rate. Good luck to the staff there that must feel like they're completely in limbo!

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4 By Simon Wharton , on 13-02-2008 11:52
I always found XFM a bit lite. How many times can you listen to them classic Stone Roses tracks. 96.2 the Revolution does the job a whole lot better and yes there are listeners. you can get he live stream as well
http://www.revolutiononline.co.uk/

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5 By Bumpkin, on 13-02-2008 16:09
The (surprisingly) London based GCap executives clearly don't give a toss about their listeners or their staff outside of the capital.

Thanks a lot guys. I'm sure there's an army of regional ad budget holders beating a path to your door right now.

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6 By cockneydjfm, on 14-02-2008 09:08
I agree with Simon Wharton - spot on.
Bring back the Revolution!

Manchester should be supporting this truly independent venture that managed the seemingly impossible, according to any other station, task of combining ACE music with some intelligence.

Come on The Rev - don't give up, put up a fight, and please bring back Cottee - he was the best you had!

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7 By The Revolution will not be tel, on 14-02-2008 16:38
What do you mean, bring back the Revolution? It's still going, albeit with a rather cut-down lineup of DJs. But XFM itself doesn't have anyone on from 10am-4pm. XFM has been and gone, but The Rev continues.

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8 By fellipe, on 15-02-2008 16:53
xfm was just one too many in a crowded market- it wont be missed

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