Xfm Manchester
Encyclopedia
Xfm Manchester is a commercial radio station
broadcasting alternative and indie music to Manchester
in North West England
.
It builds on the brand and format established by Xfm London
. The majority of programming is shared but some is produced specifically for Manchester. At its launch in 2006 it was owned by GCap Media
, and it is now part of the Global Radio
group.
radio licence on 9 June 2005, beating 18 rival bids.
On 20 February 2006, Xfm Manchester began sporadic technical tests (consisting of a playlist of songs chosen to appeal to its audience) prior to its launch.
At 8 am on 15 March 2006, Xfm Manchester launched. A short collage of Manchester related clips was played, and the first voice heard on air was that of Paul Tonkinson
which can be seen here. The first song to be played following this was the iconic Manchester anthem I Am the Resurrection
by The Stone Roses
, followed by Song 2
by Blur
.
Special launch events happened all day across Manchester, including a world record
attempt in Albert Square to shake the most number of maracas at any one time.
Many presenters were formerly members of iconic Manchester bands and institutions. They included Inspiral Carpets
' keyboard player Clint Boon
, Elbow
's frontman Guy Garvey
, The Smiths
' bass player Andy Rourke
, Factory Records
boss Tony Wilson
, and The Haçienda
's Dave Haslam.
Long-time local radio presenter Terry Christian
was cited in the licence application document but he remained at the relaunched BBC Radio Manchester
.
, the same building as Century 105.4
. But after Century was sold by GCap Media
to GMG
in late 2006, the two stations ceased to share resources, and Xfm Manchester ultimately moved to studios at the nearby Exchange Quay, also in Salford
. After Global Radio
acquired the station, it moved the operations of its own Capital FM Manchester to the same site.
Xfm Manchester's 1 kW
transmitter is located on the roof of City Tower
, formerly known as the Sunley Building, overlooking Piccadilly Gardens
in the city centre, the same place as Capital FM Manchester and 106.1 Rock Radio's transmitter and all 3 services share the same broadcast antenna
system which is located on the centre tower and is illuminated with red Aircraft warning lights
at night.. Xfm's analogue signal is available to an estimated 1.3 million people over the age of 15.
In August 2007, Xfm Manchester acquired the rights from 105.4 Century FM to broadcast commentary from all Manchester United games, which was something of a diversion from the station's usual music programming. Commentary was provided by Phil Blacker and Mickey Thomas
. However, the contract ran for just one season with Key 103
becoming United's official commentary partner for 2008-11.
Global Radio made significant changes to the station during the summer of 2008. Substantially more networking of output from Xfm London
was introduced, leaving just the breakfast, drive and weekend breakfast programmes produced locally in Manchester.
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
broadcasting alternative and indie music to Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
in North West England
North West England
North West England, informally known as The North West, is one of the nine official regions of England.North West England had a 2006 estimated population of 6,853,201 the third most populated region after London and the South East...
.
It builds on the brand and format established by Xfm London
Xfm London
Xfm London is a commercial radio station in the United Kingdom owned by Global Radio and broadcasts on 104.9 FM in London, on digital radio via 30 DAB multiplexes across the country, Sky, TalkTalk TV and Virgin Media....
. The majority of programming is shared but some is produced specifically for Manchester. At its launch in 2006 it was owned by GCap Media
GCap Media
GCap Media was a British commercial radio company formed from the merger of the Capital Radio Group and GWR Group. The merger was completed in May 2005. It was listed on the London Stock Exchange and was a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index. On 31 March 2008 the company agreed a takeover by...
, and it is now part of the Global Radio
Global Radio
Global Radio UK Ltd. is a British commercial radio company, the largest in the country following acquisitions of Chrysalis Radio and GCap Media.The company's Chief Executive Officer is Stephen Miron, while the Group Chairman is Charles Allen...
group.
Launch
Xfm Manchester was awarded a 12 year (until 2017) FMFM broadcasting
FM broadcasting is a broadcasting technology pioneered by Edwin Howard Armstrong which uses frequency modulation to provide high-fidelity sound over broadcast radio. The term "FM band" describes the "frequency band in which FM is used for broadcasting"...
radio licence on 9 June 2005, beating 18 rival bids.
On 20 February 2006, Xfm Manchester began sporadic technical tests (consisting of a playlist of songs chosen to appeal to its audience) prior to its launch.
At 8 am on 15 March 2006, Xfm Manchester launched. A short collage of Manchester related clips was played, and the first voice heard on air was that of Paul Tonkinson
Paul Tonkinson
Paul Tonkinson is an English radio presenter and television personality. He is perhaps best known for his work presenting on The Big Breakfast and The Sunday Show and his appearances on list programmes where he comments on popular culture...
which can be seen here. The first song to be played following this was the iconic Manchester anthem I Am the Resurrection
I Am the Resurrection
I Am the Resurrection: A Tribute to John Fahey is a tribute album to guitarist John Fahey released in 2006. The album's title is taken from the title of the third track of his album The Transfiguration of Blind Joe Death.-History:...
by The Stone Roses
The Stone Roses
The Stone Roses are an English alternative rock band formed in Manchester in 1983. They were one of the pioneering groups of the Madchester movement that was active during the late 1980s and early 1990s...
, followed by Song 2
Song 2
"Song 2" is a song by English alternative rock band Blur, the second track on and second single released from their fifth album Blur in April 1997...
by Blur
Blur (band)
Blur is an English alternative rock band. Formed in London in 1989 as Seymour, the group consists of singer Damon Albarn, guitarist Graham Coxon, bassist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree. Blur's debut album Leisure incorporated the sounds of Madchester and shoegazing...
.
Special launch events happened all day across Manchester, including a world record
World record
A world record is usually the best global performance ever recorded and verified in a specific skill or sport. The book Guinness World Records collates and publishes notable records of all types, from first and best to worst human achievements, to extremes in the natural world and beyond...
attempt in Albert Square to shake the most number of maracas at any one time.
Many presenters were formerly members of iconic Manchester bands and institutions. They included Inspiral Carpets
Inspiral Carpets
Inspiral Carpets are an alternative rock band from Oldham in Greater Manchester, England formed by Graham Lambert and Stephen Holt in 1983. The band is named after a clothing shop on their Oldham estate...
' keyboard player Clint Boon
Clint Boon
Clint Boon is an English musician and DJ. Boon originally rose to notability as the keyboards player with Inspiral Carpets.-Career:...
, Elbow
Elbow (band)
Elbow are an English rock band. They have played together since 1990 and recorded five studio albums, the most recent of which is Build a Rocket Boys!, released in March 2011...
's frontman Guy Garvey
Guy Garvey
Guy Edward John Patrick Garvey , is the singer/guitarist in the band Elbow, as well as a presenter for BBC 6 Music and A&R manager of Skinny Dog Records...
, The Smiths
The Smiths
The Smiths were an English alternative rock band, formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the song writing partnership of Morrissey and Johnny Marr , the band also included Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce...
' bass player Andy Rourke
Andy Rourke
Andy Rourke is a bass guitarist best known for being a former member of The Smiths.-Career:...
, Factory Records
Factory Records
Factory Records was a Manchester based British independent record label, started in 1978 by Tony Wilson and Alan Erasmus, which featured several prominent musical acts on its roster such as Joy Division, New Order, A Certain Ratio, The Durutti Column, Happy Mondays, Northside and James and...
boss Tony Wilson
Tony Wilson
Anthony Howard Wilson, commonly known as Tony Wilson , was an English record label owner, radio presenter, TV show host, nightclub manager, impresario and journalist for Granada Television and the BBC....
, and The Haçienda
The Haçienda
Fac 51 Haçienda was a nightclub and music venue in Manchester, England. It became most famous during the "Madchester" years of the late 1980s and early 1990s, during the 1990s it was labelled the most famous club in the world by Newsweek magazine...
's Dave Haslam.
Long-time local radio presenter Terry Christian
Terry Christian
Terry Christian is a British television and radio presenter whose credits include Channel 4's late night Youth Entertainment show The Word and ITV1 moral issues talk show It's My Life...
was cited in the licence application document but he remained at the relaunched BBC Radio Manchester
BBC Radio Manchester
BBC Radio Manchester is a BBC Local Radio station broadcasting to Greater Manchester in North West England. It broadcasts 24 hours a day from studios at MediaCityUK in Salford Quays via a transmitter at Holme Moss, with a small repeater at Saddleworth covering Tameside and Saddleworth...
.
Transmitter and studios
Xfm was initially broadcast from studios at Laser House in Salford QuaysSalford Quays
Salford Quays is an area of Salford in Greater Manchester, England, near the end of the Manchester Ship Canal. Previously the site of Manchester Docks, it became one of the first and largest urban regeneration projects in the United Kingdom following the closure of the dockyards in...
, the same building as Century 105.4
105.4 Century FM
105.4 Real Radio is an independent local radio station controlled by GMG Radio. It is the flagship station of the Real Radio network and has a regional license to broadcast to North West England. The station was part of the Century Network for over ten years until it was rebranded in 2009.The...
. But after Century was sold by GCap Media
GCap Media
GCap Media was a British commercial radio company formed from the merger of the Capital Radio Group and GWR Group. The merger was completed in May 2005. It was listed on the London Stock Exchange and was a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index. On 31 March 2008 the company agreed a takeover by...
to GMG
GMG Radio
GMG Radio is the radio division of the Guardian Media Group. The group is based in Laser House, Salford Quays in Greater Manchester. The advertising division is in Old Trafford, Manchester. John Myers was the Chief Executive Officer, his deputy replaced him in April 2009...
in late 2006, the two stations ceased to share resources, and Xfm Manchester ultimately moved to studios at the nearby Exchange Quay, also in Salford
City of Salford
The City of Salford is a city and metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester, England. It is named after its largest settlement, Salford, but covers a far larger area which includes the towns of Eccles, Swinton-Pendlebury, Walkden and Irlam which apart from Irlam each have a population of over...
. After Global Radio
Global Radio
Global Radio UK Ltd. is a British commercial radio company, the largest in the country following acquisitions of Chrysalis Radio and GCap Media.The company's Chief Executive Officer is Stephen Miron, while the Group Chairman is Charles Allen...
acquired the station, it moved the operations of its own Capital FM Manchester to the same site.
Xfm Manchester's 1 kW
Kw
kw or KW may refer to:* Kuwait, ISO 3166-1 country code** .kw, the country code top level domain for Kuwait* Kilowatt* Self-ionization of water Kw* Cornish language's ISO 639 code* Kitchener–Waterloo, Ontario, Canada...
transmitter is located on the roof of City Tower
City Tower, Manchester
City Tower, is a 30-storey office block situated at Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester, England. It has the highest office space currently available in Manchester standing 107 metres tall. City Tower was completed in 1965, the Plaza complex was constructed by the developers Bernard Sunley and...
, formerly known as the Sunley Building, overlooking Piccadilly Gardens
Piccadilly Gardens
Piccadilly Gardens is a green space in Manchester city centre, England, situated at one end of Market Street and on the edge of the Northern Quarter...
in the city centre, the same place as Capital FM Manchester and 106.1 Rock Radio's transmitter and all 3 services share the same broadcast antenna
Antenna (radio)
An antenna is an electrical device which converts electric currents into radio waves, and vice versa. It is usually used with a radio transmitter or radio receiver...
system which is located on the centre tower and is illuminated with red Aircraft warning lights
Aircraft warning lights
Aircraft warning lights are high-intensity lighting devices that are attached to tall structures and are used as collision avoidance measures. Such devices make structures more visible to passing aircraft and are usually used at night, although they may be used during the day as well...
at night.. Xfm's analogue signal is available to an estimated 1.3 million people over the age of 15.
Xu and Manchester United commentary
In May 2007, the then-owner of Xfm Manchester, GCap Media, announced that all presenters would be removed from the daytime (10 am-4 pm) lineup. Instead, a fully interactive show, incorporating listener requests via the website and phone in, 'vox-pops', live music and entertainment news would be broadcast. This show, named Xu was officially launched later that month. However, it received mixed reviews, and was eventually dropped a year later.In August 2007, Xfm Manchester acquired the rights from 105.4 Century FM to broadcast commentary from all Manchester United games, which was something of a diversion from the station's usual music programming. Commentary was provided by Phil Blacker and Mickey Thomas
Mickey Thomas
John Michael Thomas aka Mickey Thomas is an American singer.-Early career:Thomas was inspired to pursue a career in music after travelling to Atlanta with long time childhood friends Charles Connell and Tommy Verran to see a Beatles performance in 1965. Thomas, Connell, and Verran wound up in...
. However, the contract ran for just one season with Key 103
Key 103
Key 103 is an Independent Local Radio station broadcasting to the city of Manchester and the north west of England. Its output is principally contemporary pop and dance music. Formerly owned by Trans World Communications, EMAP and now by Bauer Radio, Key 103 is part of Bauer's Place Network of...
becoming United's official commentary partner for 2008-11.
Planned sale by GCap and Global takeover
In February 2008 GCap Media announced it would be selling the analogue license for the station. This decision was blamed on GCap's desire to cut costs while trying to fight off a takeover bid by rival group Global Radio. Once Global's takeover of GCap succeeded, the decision to sell Xfm Manchester was reversed.Programming
The XFM Manchester schedule was revised and changes begun on 5 September 2011.Monday - Friday
- 0200 - 0630 Overnights with Rich Walters
- 0630 - 1000 The XFM Breakfast Show with Tim Cocker
- 1000 - 1400 Ian Camfield
- 1400 - 1700 Clint BoonClint BoonClint Boon is an English musician and DJ. Boon originally rose to notability as the keyboards player with Inspiral Carpets.-Career:...
- 1700 - 2000 Drivetime with Eoghan McDermott
- 2000 - 2300 Music:Response with Mary Anne HobbsMary Anne HobbsMary Anne Hobbs is an English DJ and music journalist from Garstang, Lancashire. She launched a new Primetime show on Xfm on 9 July 2011-Early career:...
- 2200 - 0200 Xposure with John Kennedy
Friday Variants
- 2000 - 2200: Import:Export with KROQ-FMKROQ-FMKROQ-FM — branded 106.7 KROQ — is a commercial modern rock radio station licensed to Pasadena, California serving the Greater Los Angeles. The call sign is pronounced "kay rock." It is the flagship station of Loveline hosted by Dr...
- 2200 - 0200: The Remix with Eddy Temple Morris
Saturday
- 0200 – 0800: Shak
- 0800 – 1200: Gareth Brooks
- 1200 – 1500: Re-Fried Breakfast with Danny WallaceDanny Wallace (humourist)Daniel Frederick Wallace is a British filmmaker, comedian, writer, actor, and presenter of radio and television. His notable works include the books Join Me, Yes Man, and the TV series How to Start Your Own Country.He lives in London, with his wife, an Australian publicist...
- 1500 – 1800: Steve Harris
- 1800 – 1900: The Mix Master MikeMix Master MikeMix Master Mike is an American turntablist and contributing member of the Beastie Boys.-Life and career:Born Michael Schwartz in San Francisco, California, Mix Master Mike is of German and Filipino descent. He first came to prominence upon winning the 1992 New Music Seminar/Supermen Inc...
Show - 1900 – 2200: Mary Anne HobbsMary Anne HobbsMary Anne Hobbs is an English DJ and music journalist from Garstang, Lancashire. She launched a new Primetime show on Xfm on 9 July 2011-Early career:...
- 2200 - 0200: The Remix Reloaded with Eddy Temple Morris
Monday Variants
- 0000 - 0200: The Remix with Eddy Temple Morris
Sunday
- 0200 – 0800: Shak
- 0800 – 1200: Gareth Brooks
- 1200 – 1500: Smart on Sunday with Gordon SmartGordon SmartGordon Smart is a Scottish journalist and editor of The Suns celebrity column Bizarre.-Journalism career:...
- 1500 – 1800: Steve Harris
- 1800 – 2200: The Weekender with Sunta Templeton
- 2200 – 0000: The XFM Rock Show with Ian Camfield
Global Radio made significant changes to the station during the summer of 2008. Substantially more networking of output from Xfm London
Xfm London
Xfm London is a commercial radio station in the United Kingdom owned by Global Radio and broadcasts on 104.9 FM in London, on digital radio via 30 DAB multiplexes across the country, Sky, TalkTalk TV and Virgin Media....
was introduced, leaving just the breakfast, drive and weekend breakfast programmes produced locally in Manchester.
Notable former presenters
- Andy RourkeAndy RourkeAndy Rourke is a bass guitarist best known for being a former member of The Smiths.-Career:...
- Adam ColeAdam ColeAustin Jenkins is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Adam Cole. He competes for several independent promotions, including Combat Zone Wrestling, Maryland Championship Wrestling, Northeast Wrestling and Ring of Honor....
- Darryl MorrisDarryl MorrisThis page is about a fictional character, for the radio presenter see Darryl Morris Darryl Morris is a fictional character on the WB television series Charmed. He was portrayed by Dorian Gregory.- Background :...
- Guy GarveyGuy GarveyGuy Edward John Patrick Garvey , is the singer/guitarist in the band Elbow, as well as a presenter for BBC 6 Music and A&R manager of Skinny Dog Records...
- Russ WinstanleyRuss WinstanleyRuss Winstanley born October 1952 is an English DJ, originating from the Beech Hill area Wigan, Greater Manchester. He is best known for his championing of Northern Soul music, most famously when he founded the Wigan Casino in 1973 in his hometown. Since its closure in 1981, Russ has still been...
- Tony WilsonTony WilsonAnthony Howard Wilson, commonly known as Tony Wilson , was an English record label owner, radio presenter, TV show host, nightclub manager, impresario and journalist for Granada Television and the BBC....
- Mick RockMick RockMick Rock is a British photographer best known for his iconic shots of rock and roll legends such as Queen, David Bowie, Syd Barrett, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop and The Stooges, The Sex Pistols, The Ramones, Joan Jett, Talking Heads, Roxy Music, Crossfade, Thin Lizzy, Motley Crue, and Blondie...
- Lauren LaverneLauren LaverneLauren Cecilia Fisher , known professionally as Lauren Laverne, is an English radio DJ, television presenter, author and singer...
- Michelle Mullane
- Mike SweeneyMike SweeneyMichael John "Mike" Sweeney is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. Sweeney played his first 13 seasons in the majors with the Kansas City Royals, originally as a catcher and then moving to first base. Sweeney has also played for the Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, and Philadelphia...
- Jason ManfordJason ManfordJason John Manford is an English comedian, television presenter and actor.- Early life :Manford was born to an Irish family in Salford, Greater Manchester, a son of Sharon , who is a Catholic and Ian Manford. He grew up in poverty in a terraced house in Manchester...
- Paul TonkinsonPaul TonkinsonPaul Tonkinson is an English radio presenter and television personality. He is perhaps best known for his work presenting on The Big Breakfast and The Sunday Show and his appearances on list programmes where he comments on popular culture...
- Mark Kaye
- Dave HaslamDave HaslamDave Haslam is an author and DJ. Originally from Moseley, Birmingham, and educated at King Edward's School, Birmingham. Having moved to Manchester in 1980, he DJ'd over 450 times at the Haçienda nightclub, including Thursday's Temperance club night in the late 1980s...
- Jo GoodJo GoodJo Good is a Kuwaiti born British disc jockey and current presenter on BBC 6 Music, where she hosts the Weekend Breakfast Show.-Career:Good had worked in the media industry for a decade before joining BBC 6 Music. Among her previous work includes being a presenter on the music channel MTV, where...
- Mike McCleanMike McCleanMike "Squeaky" McClean is a British television presenter and actor, most famous for being a roving reporter on Richard & Judy and The Big Breakfast....
- Pete Mitchell
- Sam Walker
- Alex James (Now presents In:Demand across Bauer's Big City NetworkBig City NetworkBauer Place & Bauer Passion are the names given to two radio networks owned and operated by Bauer Radio. Place incorporates 36 local radio stations in Northern & southern England and Scotland while Passion incorporates six national or semi-national music genre stations.The main rival networks are...
Station management
- Cheryl Levington Sales Director
- James BrownJames BrownJames Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
Programme Controller - Jim Salveson Breakfast Show Producer
- Alan Fleming Engineering Manager