Q96

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**Q96 (96.3 Rock Radio)**

Broadcast area	Renfrewshire
First air date	1 September 1992
Frequency	96.3 MHz
Format	Classic Hits and Current Hits
Owner	GMG Radio

Q96 is a local radio station, which broadcasts to the Scottish region of Renfrewshire. The station is now based outside its broadcast region, in the Baillieston area of neighbouring Glasgow, at headquarters it shares with Real Radio (Scotland) after OFCOM approved its move. Q96 broadcasts as an FM station on the 96.3 MHz frequency.

[edit] History

Q96 began life on 1st September 1992, broadcasting from Paisley as a radio station for Paisley and Renfrewshire. However, it is also listened to in neighbouring Glasgow. It broadcasts on both DAB and FM to West Central Scotland, from its mast on Paisley's Gleniffer Braes and to the world on its website. It initially proved successful in breaking into the market with its music which includes songs from the 70's through to present day hits. Audiences peaked at around 12% on the RAJAR scale, a respectable figure. However it fell foul of OFCOM by failing to broadcast local Renfrewshire-related material.

Q96 is known to play 'cheesier' music, but is quite a popular radio station in its area - with more listeners in real terms than its audience figures suggest.

Q96 has recently been bought by GMG Radio and is being re-launched as Rock Radio in Jauary 2007.

[edit] Current

After good initial audience figures, the audiences started falling. It was then rebranded 96.3 QFM. Outgrowing its base in Paisley, it relocated to Glasgow. A take-over by The Wireless Group saw it revert back to its original name of Q96, and join a network including national Talksport station. Audience levels have fallen still, and are now around 7%. The Wireless group is now owned by UTV Radio), who will look to revert the fall, but in difficult markets. It has also reverted away from Pop music back to its still of classic and new hits as it was at inception.

Real Radio (Scotland) has acquired the station from UTV Radio, with the aquistion completed on the 1st of October 2006. GMG Radio has moved from the stations second home in Kinning Park to Baillieston after OFCOM approval, but has agreed to honour the station's local format.

From 1st Jan 2007, The station is to be known as 96.3 Rock Radio, and is to be launched as a classic rock music station.

Serving the Renfrewshire and central Scotland area, the station will broadcast classic rock tracks, which GMG hopes will appeal to a wide market but with a slight bias to 35 to 64 year old males.

The re-launch will be supported by a marketing campaign.