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The Radio Station XS Manchester is at risk of closing and being re-branded

Ofcom has launched a consultation with XS Manchester which could see the much loved local radio station be rebranded as Capital XTRA.

Ofcom has to discuss this proposed changed and look at all parties who may be affected by it.
XS Manchester is a predominantly classic rock and indie music radio station and focusses heavily on local news and current affairs. If the change is granted it will see the channel take a much more national viewpoint.

The radio station has submitted a formal request to Ofcom to change their services to become an ‘urban contemporary music service’ which would ultimately lead to the station being rebranded as ‘Capital Xtra’

The proposal states Real Radio XS wants to change the ‘character of service’ of its Manchester license from a ‘rock and speech service for 35-64 year olds, with a strong commitment to local news, current affairs and interactive debate’ to ‘an urban contemporary music service featuring music of an Afro-Caribbean origin’.

Real XS became XS Manchester in 2016 and before that, it was Rock Radio. the areas that will change if the rebrand happens are the station’s music, news provision, target audience, and its locally-made programs.

As you can imagine some long-term listeners off the radio station are not happy to hear about the change.

some of these listeners have taken to social media to express their dismay at the thought of losing the station:

“Very sad news indeed about @XSManchester. A sad indictment of guitar music’s place on mainstream radio right now.”
“What’s this shite I’m hearing about @XSManchester could be rebranded, moved to London!! #XSmanchester
“gutted with this. Best radio station about #XSManchester

People have the right to dispute this potential change and have until 5pm on 17th January 2020 to do so.
To submit your response officially send it via this link https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/file/0017/185201/consultation-form.odt and not through any petition set up online as that will not reach Ofcom.