Radio station to hand airwaves over to jukebox jury

LISTENERS to one of Scotland’s top commercial radio stations are to be given the chance to choose what they hear – in the process, dispensing with a DJ doing it for them.

From a week on Tuesday, and affecting only the 10am-4pm slot, Xfm Scotland will be operating a ‘jukebox’, the songs being played from it having been chosen by listeners, via SMS, phone and online.

Says Xfm Scotland: “Listeners will be asked to compile their own playlists, join regular forums and vote for the artists and songs they want to hear. The studio production team will then be on hand to send them straight to air.”

It continued: “Xfm know that their technology-savvy audience want much greater control and influence of Xfm’s output. They know what they want to hear and when – and we want to give them a voice.

“Listeners will be able to access the full Xfm music library that is used by the Xfm producers to compile their playlists. They will also be able to suggest their own songs using the ‘free play’ option ensuring every hour will sound completely different.”

As for the present, daytime DJs, including Julyan Sinclair, it is understood they will be re-deployed within a new-look weekend schedule.

Shows outside of the 10am-4pm slot will continue to be broadcast, as usual.

Xfm plays the ‘best indie-rock music’ and is available in Scotland on 105.7-106.1FM, in London on 104.9FM, and in Manchester on 97.7FM.