Kerrang Joins Race For Manchester Radio Licence
Emap has announced that its Kerrang! radio brand will bid for Manchester’s last remaining FM licence later this year, attempting to bring its rock-focussed programming to the city in what would be the second FM outing for the previously digital-only service.
The move follows a successful bid for the FM licence in the West Midlands and trial broadcasts by Kerrang! in Manchester earlier this year. The station’s team is currently understood to be working with local listeners in the area to put forward the best possible format for the region (see Kerrang Radio Prepares FM Broadcasts In Manchester).
Commenting on the expansion of Kerrang!’s broadcasts, programming director Andrew Jeffries, said: “More than one million people across the UK are already tuning into Kerrang! Radio. We want to reflect Manchester’s position as one of the global cities of rock ‘n’ roll by bringing Manchester its own Kerrang! Radio station with programming that reflects its musical heritage and a commitment to the continued coverage of the best new talent around.”
However, competition for the broadcast licence is expected to be stiff, with GMG and Capital Radio outlining proposals for the region in their bids. Capital’s Xfm station has expressed a desire to operate in the area following trial broadcasts earlier this year (see Xfm To Broadcast In Manchester Ahead Of FM Licence Bid).
A spokeswoman for the indie music station said: “Our output is more welcoming and wider while Kerrang! is still pretty heavy. I think their speech output is also quite heavy at breakfast, which is not what I think kids would want, and they haven’t really invested in DJs, which obviously we have.”
Elsewhere, GMG has proposed a 24-hour speech and news station for the region, cashing in on its team of journalists and presenters already working for its Manchester Evening News newspaper and Channel M Television, both based in the city. GMG’s proposal could also be cheap to set up, with existing facilities adapted to accommodate the new Channel M Radio station (see GMG Plans Round The Clock Talk Radio For Manchester).
Emap: 01733 568 900 www.emap.co.uk
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