Xfm To Back North East Bid With Trial Broadcasts

GCap Media’s indie music station, Xfm, is to begin trial broadcasts in the north east this month, ahead of a bid for a permanent FM licence in the area.

The station has seen a positive reaction from research into listeners’ requirements, with alternative genres of music the most popular amongst the station’s target market of 15-34 year olds.

Comedy also rated highly in Xfm’s research, a factor which the station hopes will help to secure the regional licence given its emphasis in Xfm’s programming.

The indie station will broadcast Xfm North-East for two weeks from Monday 17th October, airing local content as well as shows from its London station on both DAB digital radio and online at www.xfm.co.uk/northeast.

Based in Newcastle, Xfm DJs Gareth Brookes and Samanthi will help to run the two week trial, playing Xfm’s unique blend of new music as well as requests from listeners in the North East.

Explaining the rationale for the new station, Graham Hodge, Xfm’s business development director, said: “The North East is an unbelievably exciting place to be at the moment. Culture-led regeneration is taking place everywhere you look. Great bands are springing up all over the region. New venues like Sage Gateshead and the Newcastle Academy, and festivals like Evolution and Middlesborough Music Live, reflect a thriving live scene. All that’s missing is a radio station that will support all this for the long term. That radio station is Xfm.

June saw Ofcom award Xfm the hotly contested analogue licence for greater Manchester, with the station beating 18 other applications to become the only licence ever won by Capital Radio PLC (see Xfm Scoops Close Fought Manchester FM Licence). The station will launch early next year with more than 20 hours of daily local programming.

GCap Media: 0207 663 7000 www.gcapmedia.com