TWO WEEKS AFTER it was announced that a large number of Phantom FM staff are to be laid off comes the news that the station is to be rebranded.
The station has confirmed that under a new restructuring plan to help safeguard its future, Phantom 105.2 is to be rebranded to TXFM.
We reported last week that it was expected that Phantom FM would be rechristened, and that staff who have been given notice are due to finish up in a fortnight.
Music
The station’s music output isn’t set to change – it will still be focusing on alternative and indie (rock) music, but the new name indicates that it is more closely aligning itself to Today FM.
TXFM will be launched at the end of March and the company says it will “retain its own targets, budgets and market ambitions”.
the key component of this plan is working in greater unison with Today FM, in terms of capitalising on its commercial strength and presence in the Irish radio market. The focus of the new station will continue to be alternative and indie (rock) music. The station’s ownership structure will remain unchanged.
CEO of Today FM, Peter McPartlin said: “There is still a real opportunity to deliver a sustainable indie-music service for Dublin that will have a broader appeal.”
He added that he believes that the indie-music fan base in Dublin will welcome this latest development.
Ricky Geraghty, CEO of Phantom 105.2 said that they have carefully reviewed the business model and strategy for the station, and that following the restructuring are “very confident” that it will be given a new lease of life through its rebranding to TXFM.
There will be obvious synergies that will come with our closer alignment to Today FM. The key platform of the strategy for TXFM is that we will maintain our absolute focus on alternative and indie rock music, and our aim will be to grow our audience base.
Dublin Rock Radio Ltd remains the commercial entity and fully supports this project. The shareholders of TXFM are Evergreen Ventures, Gaiety Investments and Communicorp Group.
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