# XFM Manchester > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/XFM_Manchester > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/XFM_Manchester.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XFM_Manchester > Source revision: 1339258573 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Former British radio station Radio X Manchester England Broadcast area North West England Frequencies 97.7 MHz DAB: 11C Programming Format Alternative music Ownership Owner Global Radio History First air date 15 March 2006 Last air date 13 September 2015 as XFM Technical information Transmitter coordinates 53°28′49″N 2°14′19″W / 53.4802°N 2.2386°W / 53.4802; -2.2386 Links Website www.xfmmanchester.co.uk **XFM Manchester** was an [Independent Local Radio](/source/Independent_Local_Radio) station broadcasting alternative and indie music to [Manchester](/source/Manchester) in [North West England](/source/North_West_England). It built on the brand and format established by [XFM London](/source/XFM_London). The majority of programming was shared but some was produced specifically for Manchester. At its launch in 2006 it was owned by [GCap Media](/source/GCap_Media), and later became part of the [Global Radio](/source/Global_Radio) group. In September 2015, the station was replaced, along with XFM London, by [Radio X](/source/Radio_X_(United_Kingdom)). ## Launch XFM Manchester was awarded a 12-year (until 2017) [FM](/source/FM_broadcasting) radio licence on 9 June 2005, beating 18 rival bids.[1][2] Established local radio presenter [Terry Christian](/source/Terry_Christian) was cited in the licence application document but he remained at the relaunched [BBC Radio Manchester](/source/BBC_Radio_Manchester).[3] Before its launch 20 February 2006, XFM Manchester began occasional technical test transmissions consisting of a playlist of songs chosen to appeal to its audience. XFM Manchester was officially launched at 8 am on 15 March 2006.[4] A collage of Manchester related clips was played, and [I Am the Resurrection](/source/I_Am_the_Resurrection) by [The Stone Roses](/source/The_Stone_Roses), and [Song 2](/source/Song_2) by [Blur](/source/Blur_(band)). The first presenter on air was [Paul Tonkinson](/source/Paul_Tonkinson) with guest [Shaun Ryder](/source/Shaun_Ryder) of the [Happy Mondays](/source/Happy_Mondays). Launch events were held all day across Manchester, including a [world record](/source/World_record) attempt in Albert Square hosted by [Bez](/source/Bez_(dancer)) to shake the most number of maracas at any one time.[5] Some presenters were formerly members of Manchester bands and institutions, including [Inspiral Carpets](/source/Inspiral_Carpets)' keyboard player [Clint Boon](/source/Clint_Boon), [Elbow](/source/Elbow_(band))'s frontman [Guy Garvey](/source/Guy_Garvey), [The Smiths](/source/The_Smiths)' bass player [Andy Rourke](/source/Andy_Rourke), [Factory Records](/source/Factory_Records) boss [Tony Wilson](/source/Tony_Wilson), and [The Haçienda](/source/The_Ha%C3%A7ienda)'s [Dave Haslam](/source/Dave_Haslam).[6] ## Transmitter and studios XFM was initially broadcast from studios at Laser House in [Salford Quays](/source/Salford_Quays), the same building as [Century 105.4](/source/105.4_Century_FM). But after Century was sold by [GCap Media](/source/GCap_Media) to [GMG](/source/GMG_Radio) in late 2006, the two stations ceased to share resources, and XFM Manchester moved to studios at the nearby Exchange Quay, also in [Salford](/source/City_of_Salford).[7] After [Global Radio](/source/Global_Radio) acquired the station, it moved the operations of its own [Capital FM Manchester](/source/Capital_FM_Manchester) to the same site. XFM Manchester's 1 [kW](/source/KW) transmitter is situated on the roof of [City Tower](/source/City_Tower%2C_Manchester), formerly the Sunley Building, overlooking [Piccadilly Gardens](/source/Piccadilly_Gardens) in the city centre, the same place as [Capital FM Manchester](/source/Capital_FM_Manchester) and [106.1 Rock Radio](/source/106.1_Rock_Radio)'s transmitter. All three services share the same broadcast [antenna](/source/Antenna_(radio)) system situated on the centre's tower which is illuminated with red [Aircraft warning lights](/source/Aircraft_warning_lights) at night. XFM's analogue signal is available to an estimated 1.3 million people over the age of 15.[1] ## XU and daytime networking In May 2007, the then-owner of XFM Manchester, GCap Media, announced that all local presenters would be removed from the daytime (10 am-4 pm) lineup. Instead, an 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 launched later that month. It received mixed reviews, and was eventually dropped a year later, replaced with networked daytime content sourced from XFM London.[8] ## Manchester United commentary In August 2007, XFM Manchester acquired the rights from 105.4 Century FM to broadcast commentary from all [Manchester United](/source/Manchester_United) games,[9] as an adjunct to the station's usual music programming, with commentary provided by presenters including [Mickey Thomas](/source/Mickey_Thomas_(footballer)). The contract ran for one season with [Key 103](/source/Key_103) becoming United's official commentary partner for 2008–11.[10] ## Planned sale by GCap and Global takeover In February 2008, GCap Media announced it would be selling the analogue licence for the station.[11] This decision was blamed on GCap's desire to cut costs while trying to fight off a takeover bid by rival group Global Radio.[12] Once Global's takeover of GCap succeeded, the decision to sell XFM Manchester was reversed. ## Notable presenters This list of people may not follow Wikipedia's verifiability policy. Please help improve it by adding reliable sources for existing names which prove they are members of this list. Unsourced names may be challenged and removed. (March 2015) (Learn how and when to remove this message) - [Clint Boon](/source/Clint_Boon) - [Jo Good](/source/Jo_Good) - [Dave Rowntree](/source/Dave_Rowntree) - [Phil Clifton](/source/Phil_Clifton) - [Andy Rourke](/source/Andy_Rourke) - [Adam Cole](/source/Adam_Cole) - [Darryl Morris](/source/Darryl_Morris_(presenter)) - [Guy Garvey](/source/Guy_Garvey) - [Russ Winstanley](/source/Russ_Winstanley) - [Tony Wilson](/source/Tony_Wilson) - [Mick Rock](/source/Mick_Rock) - [Lauren Laverne](/source/Lauren_Laverne) - [Mike Sweeney](/source/Mike_Sweeney_(DJ)) - [Jason Manford](/source/Jason_Manford) - [Paul Tonkinson](/source/Paul_Tonkinson) - [Dave Haslam](/source/Dave_Haslam) - [Mike McClean](/source/Mike_McClean) - [Pete Mitchell](/source/Pete_Mitchell_(broadcaster)) ## See also - [List of radio stations in the United Kingdom](/source/List_of_radio_stations_in_the_United_Kingdom) ## References 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-XFM_wins_Manchester_licence_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-XFM_wins_Manchester_licence_1-1) Day, Julia (9 June 2005). ["XFM wins Manchester licence"](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2005/jun/09/radio.uknews). *MediaGuardian*. London: Guardian News and Media. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["XFM Manchester wins licence fight"](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/4080246.stm). *BBC News*. 10 June 2005. Retrieved 19 October 2011. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["BBC revamps GMR as competition heats up with Xfm launch"](https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/bbc-revamps-gmr-competition-heats-xfm-launch/547809). Retrieved 14 January 2022. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["XFM Announce Manchester Launch"](https://radiotoday.co.uk/2006/01/xfm-announce-manchester-launch/). Retrieved 14 January 2022. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Bez breaks world record for maracas"](https://www.nme.com/news/music/happy-mondays-76-1366072). Retrieved 14 January 2022. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["XFM Reveals Manchester Launch Date"](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/music/xfm-reveals-manchester-launch-date-1018203). Retrieved 14 January 2022. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["XFM in Quay move"](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/business/commercial_property_news/s/1054232_xfm_in_quay_move). *Manchester Evening News*. 17 June 2008. [*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*] 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Xfm Brings Back DJs"](https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/xfm-brings-back-djs-1311803/). Retrieved 14 January 2022. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Plunkett, John (6 August 2007). ["XFM to air United commentary"](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/aug/06/radio.sport). *MediaGuardian*. London: Guardian News and Media. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** [Key 103 wins Manchester United commentary rights](http://www.mediaweek.co.uk/news/836896/Key-103-wins-Manchester-United-commentary-rights/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120217003040/http://www.mediaweek.co.uk/news/836896/Key-103-wins-Manchester-United-commentary-rights/) February 17, 2012, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Plunkett, John (11 February 2008). ["Hazlitt: DAB 'not economically viable'"](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/feb/11/gcapmedia.digitaltvradio). *guardian.co.uk*. London: Guardian News and Media. Retrieved 11 February 2008. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Donohue, Simon (12 February 2008). ["XFM under threat"](http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1036053_xfm_under_threat). *Manchester Evening News*. M.E.N. Media.[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*] ## External links - [Official site](http://www.xfmmanchester.co.uk) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20060403002036/http://xfmmanchester.co.uk/) 3 April 2006 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) - [Licence application document (1.2MB PDF)](https://web.archive.org/web/20070930035156/http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radio/ifi/rbl/car/ifmapps/mancapps/XfmManchester.pdf) v t e Global Company officials Ashley Tabor-King (Founder/Executive President) Lord Allen (Chairman) Richard Park (Senior Programming Advisor) Radio stations Capital Capital Anthems Capital Chill Capital Dance Capital Xtra Capital Xtra Reloaded Classic FM Classic FM Calm Classic FM Movies Gold Radio Heart Heart 70s Heart 80s Heart 90s Heart 00s Heart 10s Heart Dance Heart Love Heart Musicals LBC LBC News Riviera Radio Smooth Radio Smooth Chill Smooth Country Smooth Relax Smooth Soul Smooth 70s Smooth 80s Radio X Radio X 90s Radio X 00s Radio X Chilled Radio X Classic Rock Related articles Global's Make Some Noise Global Academy List of Global Group stations Leicester Square Global Radio timeline Global Awards ceremonies 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 v t e Radio stations in Greater Manchester, England AM stations (MW) BBC Radio 5 Live 909, 693 Talksport 1089, 1053 Radio Cavell 1350 Lyca Radio Greater Manchester 1377, 963 FM stations Gaydio 88.4 BBC Radio 2 89.3, 89.8 Legacy FM 90.1 Heritage Radio 90.6 BBC Radio 3 91.5, 91.9 Unity Radio 92.8 BBC Radio 4 93.7, 94.1 Salford City Radio 94.4 BBC Radio Manchester 95.1, 104.6 Greatest Hits Radio 96.2 Bolton FM 96.5 ALL FM 96.9 Crescent Radio 97.0 Wythenshawe FM 97.2 Radio X 97.7 BBC Radio 1 98.9, 99.3 Oldham Community Radio 99.7 Smooth North West 100.4 Classic FM 101.1 Capital 102.0 Greatest Hits Radio 102.4 Hits Radio Manchester 103.0 Tameside Radio 103.6 Greatest Hits Radio 104.9 Heart 105.4 Radio X 90s 106.1 North Manchester FM 106.6 Greatest Hits Radio 107.4 Your FM 107.8 DAB CE Manchester (12C) Absolute Classic Rock Absolute Radio Country BBC Radio Manchester Capital Manchester and Lancashire Greatest Hits Radio Gold Radio Heart North West Hits Radio Manchester Lyca Radio Greater Manchester Magic Chilled Magic Soul Smooth Country Smooth North West Manchester small-scale trial (10B) Asian Star Radio Care Radio Cheesy FM Cosoro Radio Eirewave Gaydio Happy Radio Heritage Radio Hope FM LGR Love 80s Manchester Mom's Spaghetti Panacea Soul Pie Radio Podcast Radio R360 Radio Radio Africana Radio Diamond Radio X 90s Sami Swoi Radio Skylab Radio Strawberry Radio Sunrise Radio Tomorrowland One World Radio Ultimate Beats Radio Unity Radio Voice of Islam Former Imagine FM Kiss 102 Revolution 96.2 Sunset 102 Tower FM Wish FM XS Manchester See also Radio Regen List of radio stations in the United Kingdom Notes The FM BBC Radio stations are broadcast from two transmitters, Holme Moss and Saddleworth. --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [XFM Manchester](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XFM_Manchester) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XFM_Manchester?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.