X-FM vs. BBC
It’s undoubtedly true that a lot of radio station X-FM’s recent decline in fortunes (and, indeed, listening figures) is down to an overly safe playlist and the loss of some key on-air talent, as suggested in Ciar Byrne’s article “Dull Patrol the sound of a corporate station” in today’s Independent. It got me to thinking though – surely a key factor is also that more “mainstream” or traditional stations have recently become so much more willing to tread the “alternative music” grounds X-FM once exclusively occupied?
I started listening to X-FM London a good few years ago because it was the only way to get some guitar music amongst endless back-to-back plays of that bloody “Blue (Da Ba Dee)” song everywhere else. But now, although I’m not a fan of these specific bands, groups like Fall Out Boy and Arctic Monkeys currently occupy slots in the Top 20 singles chart. With the renewed popularity of guitar music in recent years, these should be glory days for X-FM. Yet the music they formerly championed is all over daytime BBC Radio 1. Proof perhaps that in the fickle world of music you shouldn’t chase the zeitgeist, but stick to your guns and it will eventually come round to you.
All very idealistic (it’s all about the music, maaan) but of course, I realise that “sticking to your guns” isn’t always an option when you need to keep advertisers happy in terms of listening figures. Which is why I’m such a fan of the BBC and the license fee system. Who would have thought a station that can have Granny’s fave Terry Wogan hosting the breakfast show could also give the oft-controversial Russell Brand a place at the mic on Radio 2? And despite predictions to the contrary after the sad death of John Peel, Radio 1’s late night specialist niche music coverage is stronger than ever. BBC 6Music, meanwhile, fills the music-for-music-lovers role intended for X-FM at its inception ten years ago. All because not needing to worry about listening figures above all else allows them to experiment a bit, quite often resulting in unique, interesting radio.
So when the “establishment” of Aunty Beeb can provide such edgy broadcasting, what need is there for X-FM’s “alternative”?
