[1] The licence was awarded in 1997 to a group formed by managing director Philip Reevell in 1997, and was the largest city in terms of population to receive an RSL television station at the time.

[6] Originally, the main sources of programming were CHUM, Euronews, Channel M's in-house productions and the University of Salford with Interference, Gloves Off and Hitting Home, a documentary series.

[7] The history of Channel M can be traced back to the 1996 Broadcasting Act which made provision for six local Restricted Service Licences (RSL) to be issued around the UK.

Programming such as the weekly music show City Life Social and video/computer game review series Re:Loaded helped Channel M to gain viewers nationally.

[10] Former BBC Radio Manchester host, Granada presenter and Factory Records boss Tony Wilson was due to present a Friday evening music and entertainment show called The New Friday, produced by former Granada producer and BBC Radio Manchester host Eamonn O'Neill.

The station later moved its in-house transmission and administration facilities from Urbis to GMG Radio's headquarters at Laser House in Salford Quays.

[11] A company review carried out by the Guardian Media Group before the announcement recommended that the station should focus on news and general sport programming.

[12] Channel M also ceased all of its stand-alone entertainment, sport and features programming as well as the weekday breakfast show (which was, for a short time, replaced by live footage of the area's traffic cameras accompanied by a simulcast of Real Radio North West) and the lunchtime and evening news bulletins.

In February 2010, the station's owners Guardian Media Group were reported to be in talks with staff regarding options for Channel M's future after the company sold off 32 of its regional newspaper titles, including the Manchester Evening News, to Trinity Mirror for £44.8 million.

[13] The following month, the station announced its remaining in-house regional programmes, including the flagship magazine show Channel M Today, would cease production by Friday 19 March 2010.

[6] The station's in-house transmission and administration facilities were later based at Laser House in Salford Quays and managed by GMG's regional radio division.