Chris Moyles is back on UK radio this morning, hosting the first ever breakfast show on Global’s Radio X.
Radio X has replaced XFM on UK airwaves, and is also available nationally (and internationally) as a digital station.
The relaunch caused some controversy earlier this month when Global referred to it as a “male-focused” re-brand, targeting 25-44 year old men.
Moyles has tackled the issue head on, arguing that the idea that Radio X would favour male listeners was “rubbish” and was something that “no-one believes except the person who put it in the press release”.
Stephen Miron, group CEO at Global, said in that press release earlier this month: “I’m proud that Global is launching Radio X today and that we’re able to bring a completely new national music and entertainment property for 25-44 year old men to the market.”
However, Moyles used two sections of this morning’s show, which began at 6.30am, to clarify that the gender reference was a “marketing thing that should never have gone out”.
He said: “There’s been… lot of confused press [about Radio X]… There was a quote saying that Radio X is going to be the UK’s first male-focused radio station and many people took that to mean it’s a radio station just for blokes, by ruddy blokes playing ruddy bloke music for more ruddy blokes.
“There’s been a lot of confused press about radio X… I don’t care if you’re male, female, gay, straight, white, black…”
Chris Moyles, Radio X
“That’s news to me and everybody on this show… This male-focused thing does not affect us in any way, shape or form… everybody is welcome to this radio station. Everybody is certainly welcome to this show.”
“Let me be the first of many Radio X DJs to say this over the next few days: That’s a load of balls.“
The DJ said that when it came to the audience he wanted to reach, “I don’t care if you’re male, female, gay, straight, white, black…”
Other DJs such a Vernon Kay, Ricky Wilson and Johnny Vaughn are now expected to attempt to dispel the idea of Radio X being a ‘male-focused’ network throughout the day.
Moyles introduced his new team, which includes newsreader Dominic Byrne plus the DJ’s former producer at BBC Radio 1, Pippa Taylor.
“Our show is run by a woman, which may seem weird if you’ve been reading about Radio X,” joked Moyles.
And Byrne added later: “We don’t see gender, we see listeners.”
Radio X is available across the UK on digital radio platform D1 as well as via 104.9FM in London and 97.7FM in Manchester.Music Business Worldwide
