Xfm South Wales

Infobox Radio station
name=Xfm South Wales "(defunct)"


airdate= 29 November 2007
closed date= 30 May 2008
frequency=106.8 & 107.3 MHz
area= South Wales
format = Alternative music
owner = GCap Media
website = [http://www.newmusicrising.co.uk/ 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 and Country Broadcasting.

The station won its licence on 8 May 2007 against stiff competition after Xfm and bid writer Matt Deegan [cite web | url = http://www.mattdeegan.com/2007/05/08/winning-fm-licences/ | title = 'Winning FM Licences' | accessdate = 2008-02-24] 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 [cite web|title=XFM South Wales License Application|work=OFCOM UK Regulator|url=http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radio/ifi/rbl/car/ifmapps/southwales/xfm.pdf|accessdate=1 Dec|accessyear=2008] , 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 [cite web | url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/feb/11/gcapmedia.digitaltvradio | title = DAB 'not economically viable' | accessdate = 2008-02-11] . On 30th May 2008, XFM South Wales ceased broadcasting.

The station was immediately rebranded as Nation Radio and, after 2 weeks of non-stop music, was fully launched 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." [ [http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/may/30/gcapmedia.commercialradio1?gusrc=rss&feed=media "Xfm south Wales: GCap sells station to Town and Country Broadcasting", "Media Guardian"] ] - his comments have lead to speculation that there will be a decrease in the alternative music offering from the station. Xfm London has now returned to the area on the Cardiff and Newport digital multiplex.

References