Ofcom nixes Kix 96 format change

Broadcasting regulator Ofcom will not allow a Coventry radio station to change its format.

CN Group's Kix 96 had applied to the regulator to change its format from a mix of top 40, reggae/soul and dance - including a requirement to broadcast a minimum of five hours each week of Irish specialist music - to a more generic format of adult contemporary music from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and 00s without the Irish music requirement.

The regulator rejected the request on four grounds: firstly, that the change would remove the requirement for Kix 96 to broadcast to specified communities living in Coventry; secondly, that the change would "narrow the range of services available in the Coventry area;" thirdly, that "insufficient evidence" was provided by Kix 96 that the format change was necessary on competition grounds; and finally, that there was insufficient support for the format change from people living in the area.