Christmas radio station to launch next month

Guardian Media Group's (GMG) Smooth Radio network has announced plans to launch a temporary Christmas radio station next month on digital, providing listeners with their "Christmas music fix".

The station, named Smooth Xmas, will go live on November 1 on the Digital One DAB platform, dedicating its entire output purely to Christmas tunes.

The commercial-free station will have presenters and air Christmas features, including Smooth's 'Real' Santa appearing on Christmas Eve. Smooth Xmas will go off air on December 27.

Last October, GMG merged its five regional Smooth Radio stations into a single nationwide network based out of Manchester, broadcasting on DAB and FM in selected areas.

GMG group programme director John Simons said: "This is a very exciting time for the group, Smooth Radio has had a fantastic first year as a national station and Smooth Xmas will provide that Christmas music fix, while introducing many new listeners to the Smooth Radio brand via a targeted seasonal channel."

Buckingham Palace announced in January that Sky News will produce and distribute the Queen's Christmas message this year instead of the BBC or ITN.