This is a a sad story about the death of local media here in Manchester, UK…
Revolution FM is an Oldham based station radio, with (I think) some financial backing from Steve Coogan and DJs from the Mancunian/NW music scene.

I used to love listening to them – a great alternative Radio station; felt quintessentially Mancunian, as they were defiantly non-chart, and the DJs were hired more for their musical insight and taste than their “hey there…” style.

It was far, far, more ‘real’ than the sanitised XFM in Mancs…I used to time getting back within FM range on the M6 – knew I was almost home..

Anyway, I noticed a couple of weeks ago, that there was some “hey there…” type DJ belting out soft-rock, chart hits and other such tripe. I thought there was a transmitter problem, but it’s still like that now…kylie hits and soft rock – ugh.

So, a quick visit to there website reveals a prominent link to ‘Public File‘:
Which is an (undated) Ofcom doc outlining a format change and approval by Ofcom:

“Though the tracks which were added were not at that time considered to be substantial in terms of the change itself, it has simply not worked out and as a result, we are seeking the removal of the commitment to play such a music genre as a part of the station format commitment.
In addition, it should be noted that xfm has now firmly established itself within the area and as such provides, and far more effectively so, the local populace with such a sound if required.”

And the Ofcom approval:

“Just as the appearance of the tracks was not regarded as a substantial change, it is thought by Ofcom that their disappearance, although bringing about a different musical slant to some hours, should not create a substantial change to a station aimed at serving Oldham in a crowded market. The market also now houses, as pointed out in the request, an established Xfm, which also feeds an alternative target. The request is, therefore, allowed. 13 08 08″

And the Guardian describes the final nails:

“But then a fortnight ago, without any prior announcement, the station’s music policy changed beyond recognition. The curious sounds of credible bands you’d never heard of dispersed into the Mancunian ether, replaced overnight by perennial favourites James Blunt, the Bee Gees and Take That. No explanation. Big gaps everywhere. Lots of adverts. Ace of Base.
Bizarrely, the clearly furious presenters were still allowed to go on air. Upon playing Elton John’s I’m Still Standing, one presenter commented angrily: “No, this isn’t ironic.” It was to be his last comment on the matter; non-stop music followed.
Despite the very public nature of the changes, nobody is entirely sure of the circumstances. Ofcom has now published the amendments to the station’s license that allowed it to change overnight.”

Great, so they’re basically giving in to a London based franchise (XFM), which is, itself, a subset of Capitol Group.

It always felt brilliantly odd – Neil Young, De La Soul, Joy Division followed by a competition to win a Fridge.

Comments in the Guardian post, reveal much more of the story:

“We sat there for hours, going through every single song on the computer, genuinely some of the finest music ever recorded from the 60s to present day…there was no reason why you couldn’t have a Northern Soul classic sitting next to something like Razorlight and Neil Young, for example…
…Musically, I felt it was the best station I’d ever heard. Think of it as a truly local version of the highly-lauded 6Music and you’ll get the idea.
…People WERE listening in its previous form. If they hadn’t been no-one would have wanted to advertise on the station and the opposite was happening, as far as I was aware, with many local companies remaining totally loyal to what the excellent and totally dedicated team were doing there.”

I’m one of those Manchester-based listeners, who never show up on their listening stats. I fondly remember listening to a horribly hung over DJ on Sunday morning, fire off the news jingle by mistake four times in a row, and then corpse for three minutes before finding a way to play a track.

I thought it was brilliantly genuine; and yes, revolutionary in it’s own defiant, local way.

And for the final indignation, they’ve been bought by Steve Penk.

If they maintain the name, I’ll complain to the Advertising Standards Agency.
Now, with their Ofcom-approved move to the safe, sterilised world of mainstream pop and soft, inoffensive and instantly forgettable DJs, they’ve joined the ranks of all the other FM stations I scroll past on my radio.

It’s a shame they didn’t think to ask their existing audience what they thought.

I’ll miss them.