The Sun ran with the story today (followed up by the Independent, the Mirror, the Telegraph and more), saying a deal was signed on Wednesday last week – which coincides with RadioWise reporting mid week that Vernon Kay is also joining XFM for mid-mornings.
We don’t usually run with rumours here at RadioToday – but this one is gaining some credibility – and together with news from our sources we’re happy to report on it.
Global doesn’t comment on rumours but we’re expecting an announcement sooner rather than later. And if he is joining commercial radio – this Wednesday at the Arqiva Commercial Radio Awards would be a great place for him to say hi to everyone.
We’re also putting together the pieces – Moyles spotted at Global – the XFM studios in Leicester Square getting a makeover under lock and key – and Jon Holmes making on-air jokes about being out of work soon – Dominic Byrne back at Global – together with Global’s own statement last year which said they will be launching more national brands on DAB this year.
Which would also make sense if Global is transforming XFM into a more mainstream listen by splashing the cash on big names, they’d naturally want it to be available nationally. There’s even talk of a new name for the stations in London, Manchester and Paisley – plus another high profile signing for drivetime.
Simultaneously renaming the existing XFM then launching a new station called XFM would be mighty confusing.
I don't really look forward to Moyles coming back if I'm honest, although perhaps if he has allowed his ego to deflate since leaving Radio 1 maybe he'll be alright again. Vernon Kay I couldn't care less about. It's a shame Josh Widdicombe isn't being/cant be roped in to a daily slot, his programme is definitely the best XFM have on offer, tucked away there on Sunday mornings.
Radio X, yuck. Chris Moyles, Vernon Kay and Johnny Vaughan.... f*ck no!
Anyway it appears Manchester and London are both losing their locality for one national service. Needless to say the news hasn't gone down too well on XFM Manchester, although the new station doesn't begin until 21 September, the breakfast and drive time shows end on the 11th.
Needless to say I can't stand Moyles, I have listened to XFM for years, I won't be from the 21st...
not just that, but Xfm Scotland (which has to have something like 7 hours of local programming a day) is having its licence handed back - and suffering the ignominy of being closed down for a second time. (The first was when it existed on the Central Scotland FM licence and turned into the ill-fated Galaxy Scotland)
It seems as though Eddy Temple-Morris is the only casualty from XFM London/networked at the moment. Current XFM London breakfast host Jon Holmes is moving to weekend breakfast. XFM Manchester has certainly gotten a raw deal though.
I'm looking forward to Moyles' return, personally, but it looks as though the station revamp is going to piss off the majority of XFM's loyal listeners.
I imagine most of the people who read a forum like this have already seen this, but in case you haven't, Matt Deegan, who works as part of a radio consultancy and is known for his articles about the industry, posted today about the history of XFM and why it's changing now:
So far out of the current XFM presenters, it's been confirmed that Dan O'Connell, Jo Good, Jon Holmes, John Kennedy and Clint Boon, the Xfm Manchester drive presenter are staying in some capacity.
No idea if Ian Camfield, a stalwart of the radio station is staying.