Ofcom rejects XS Manchester to Capital XTRA request

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.

Can you identify the sonic logo from DMF tones?

It’s been a quiet day...

Just a bit of lockdown fun!

It’s been a quiet day... spent some time recreating a few sonic logos using DMF tones for a little quiz. See which stations you can identify? (2 & 3 are different cuts from the same network) 🤓 pic.twitter.com/pzI885BZw2

— Harrison RB (@HarrisonRBRadio) March 30, 2020

Answers: 

1. BBC Radio 2 (Wisebuddah)
2. BBC Local Radio TOH (Mcasso)
3. BBC Local Radio TOH (Reelworld)
4. Absolute Radio (Wisebuddah)
5. Greatest Hits Radio (Bespoke Music)
6. Smooth Radio (PURE Jingles)

I’ll leave you to work out the bonus JAM cut.

Radio - the comfort blanket in a crisis

As Global reports online listening to their stations rising by 15%, and BBC Sounds boasts record live radio consumption, just how many people are turning to this great medium at the moment?

As ever, we won't know until the summer at least - but, while RAJAR is putting contingencies in place so that it can continue the survey without face-to-face fieldwork, a different methodology would invalidate quarter-on-quarter comparisons.

We mustn't lose sight of the fact that a streaming boost is inevitable with most people now listening at home instead of their usual in-car and/or workplace analogue consumption, but there'll be many others actively seeking an escape from the doom and gloom that radio can provide so well.

As Hannah Verdier wrote, eloquently, for The Guardian yesterday:

Radio is also a useful tool to give the day structure and provide company if you are home alone. It has a togetherness and reassurance that is impossible to get from podcasts, even though there are some excellent ones out there focussed on coronavirus updates.

But this isn’t about the latest developments, it is about managing feelings and recognising that you can’t stay calm all the time - and radio presenters have shown that they are concerned but carrying on, and not afraid to have a laugh.

The new local radio?

As the UK is forced into lockdown by the coronavirus outbreak, Petersfield Community Radio has stepped up by producing a daily round-up of local cancellations, changes and closures and ways people in the town are supporting each other.

The only difference between 'The Morning Report' and a traditional breakfast show is that its only available on-demand for people to consume in their own time and at their own pace.

It's not live and we don't have a transmitter or any linear service for that matter, but listener behaviour is virtually the same with a choice of "tuning in" online/via podcast apps or asking their smart-speaker for it.

With minimal running costs and not trying desperately to change people's consumption habits in today's hugely competitive world, could this be the future of local radio?

Bringing the nation together as One

The PM's statement last night was watched on traditional TV alone by 26.5m people.

• BBC One = 15.4m

• ITV = 5.5m

• Channel 4 = 1.5m

• BBC News & Sky News combined = 4m

When you include Radio 4, 5 Live, Local Radio, the World Service and online: the BBC is undoubtedly still the go-to for most people. As the most trusted broadcaster, it's hardly surprising.

BBC One is the channel that brings the nation together - it's that whole Oneness concept.

— Steve Martin (@smartin) March 24, 2020

Behold the importance of radio

Whether it's the words of a tight contemporary music presenter or a trusted and engaging speech broadcaster, the importance of radio - what we say and how we say it - is becoming more important than ever.

In this age of misinformation, a free and fair broadcast media is relied upon to deliver relevant facts and to hold those in power to account for the decisions they make affecting its audiences.

You also have outlets renowned for entertainment and offering an escape from the things that upset or divide us.

These two parts of our industry are, and will be throughout this crisis, equally essential.

What a small proportion of listeners forget - ironically, given it is a key reason for choosing radio - is that the voice going into their ears belongs to a real human being. A person, like them, with loved ones and emotions.

I've always said the role of a presenter is to, at any given moment, either make someone smile and laugh or stop and think. The very best can do both depending on the topic.

As people, we are adaptable to the conversation. Similarly, the true masters of this craft never forget exactly who they're talking to and have a continuous understanding of what interests that person and different circumstances.

It is with those who appear to have the best grasp of their lives - and don't talk down to them - that listeners really connect with, get to know and regard as a companion.

Friendship is mutual and the presenter may feel able to open up to that one individual who is genuinely interested in what they have to say.

When times are tough, the relationship between you as a presenter and your listener can be a lifeline.

It's never easy rocking up to do an entertainment show when you're feeling like shit (trust me, as someone who's long struggled with my mental health, I've been there many times!) But we do it.

We also judge the mood. At the moment, coronavirus is causing widespread uncertainty and anxiety.

How do I, as a presenter, handle this? Will a sense of normality and the usual smiles sound out of place? Will my unease just make people feel worse when they're seeking an escape? It's a difficult balance to strike - and doing so requires enormous skill.

Ignoring the situation we all find ourselves in would be wrong as you're human and your job is to be relevant - acknowledge it, perhaps offering an interesting but sensible perspective (obviously without being patronising, speculating or making any other ill-informed comment).

At the same time, while the usual "feel-good weekend" amongst other features would sound out of place, there are many things your listeners will be clinging onto for a sense of normality.

Always remember who you're talking to and what they'd expect from the station or you personally.

Whilst the coming weeks look set to be very challenging, our appreciation of creative industries will become more apparent than ever.

This is our great medium's chance to really step up and show the world just how essential public service broadcasting can be.

Thanks to the talents within, radio will excel in being both a trusted source of information and a warm comfort blanket.

Finding the right words in the moment

Seriously, @iainlee. You're wonderful. #tlna

— Katherine Boyle (@FlippinKath) March 11, 2020

Last night - just one week after picking up Radio Moment of the Year at the ARIAs for keeping a listener who'd taken an overdose on-air until the emergency services arrived - Iain Lee took another devastating call from someone at their lowest depth.

The caller, Mark, was in a similar position and, fortunately, Iain has tweeted to say that Mark is okay.

Iain Lee and Katherine Boyle's Late Night Alternative on talkRADIO is a phone-in show like no other in 2020. It's a modern take on the pinnacle of non-newstalk speech radio in the 90s where anything goes.

It's human. There's light and shade. It's unpredictable. It can be fun - even nonsensical at times - and it can be serious. These factors make it unmissable.

But the sensitive way in which presenters like Iain and Kath deal with callers like this - in the moment with thoughts racing and finding the right words whilst live to thousands - is truly incredible.

The ability to remain calm and empathise with someone you've never met who's suffering, whilst broadcasting in an emotionally engaging way that's real, relatable and potentially life-saving, is another level of talent.