Ofcom has rejected Communicorp UK's format change request for XS Manchester in order for them to replace it with Capital XTRA on 106.1 FM.
Under the proposal, the licence's character of service would change from:
A rock and speech service for 35-64 year olds, with a strong commitment to local news, current affairs and interactive debate. Peak time programming will include a substantial amount of relevant speech.
to:
An urban contemporary music service featuring music of an Afro-Caribbean origin.
In a lengthy response, the regulator noted that "although the proposed change would significantly alter the programming output, this was acceptable in policy terms".
However, more than 70 individuals and organisations took part in the consultation with 97% opposed to the proposed changes and Ofcom now considers the impact of the character of the service change to be "greater" than first thought.
Formerly Rock Radio and Real XS, and one of the most niche radio formats still operating commercially in the UK today, XS Manchester has long championed the city's local music scene with substantial local speech requirements.
Positive as its work in the community may be, that distinctiveness has meant it's always been loss-making - a fact that appears to have been overlooked by Ofcom.
Other format change requests over the years which have garnered huge responses, including from campaign groups, were still approved. What is different in this instance?
If anything, lack of viability alone should guarantee the licensee a fresh start.
Communicorp UK told RadioToday it plans to operate XS Manchester as normal, but I don't see how that can happen without significant cuts.
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