Xfm South Wales
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| Xfm South Wales (defunct) | |
 |
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| Broadcast area | South Wales |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 106.8 & 107.3 MHz |
| First air date | 29 November 2007 |
| Format | Alternative music |
| Owner | GCap Media |
| Website | New Music Rising |
XFM South Wales was a UK Regional Radio Station owned by GCap Media broadcasting alternative music to an 18-25 audience in South Wales.
It broadcast from the Red Dragon centre in Cardiff where it shared studios with Red Dragon FM. The station launched in November 2007 and was sold by GCap on 30 May 2008 to Town & Country Broadcasting.
The station won its licence on 8 May 2007 against stiff competition after Xfm and bid writer Matt Deegan[1] placed a bid focusing on bringing the best of new music and local talent to the people of South Wales. The station was the last addition to the Xfm Network, and sister to stations in London, Manchester and Central Scotland.
The station launched at 11:00 GMT on 29 November 2007 with a specially authored poem written by Nicky Wire, Chair of the Advisory Board for the station[2], followed by a three song on-air set by Manic Street Preachers.
The launch line up included breakfast show team Roop and Tom, afternoon presenters Rhys and Eggsy (known as part of Goldie Lookin' Chain). Evenings were presented by The New 1920 frontman Colin Francies.
Former Stereophonics drummer Stuart Cable, Catatonia guitarist Owen Powell and Dirty Sanchez's Lee Dainton and Mathew Pritchard hosted weekend shows.
On 11 February 2008 GCap Media announced that they would be selling the analogue license for the station[3]. On 30th May 2008, XFM South Wales ceased broadcasting.
The station has since been rebranded as Nation Radio and is expected to launch properly on 16 June 2008. Jason Bryant , chief executive of Town & Country Broadcasting said "We are very confident about making this into a big station. This is not a marginal station – this is going to be mainstream."[4] - his comments have lead to speculation that there will be a decrease in the alternative music offering from the station.
[edit] References
- ^ 'Winning FM Licences'. Retrieved on 2008-02-24.
- ^ XFM South Wales License Application. OFCOM UK Regulator. Retrieved on 1 Dec 2008.
- ^ DAB 'not economically viable'. Retrieved on 2008-02-11.
- ^ "Xfm south Wales: GCap sells station to Town and Country Broadcasting", Media Guardian
