[2] Two months later, GMG announced the station would not be sold off and would be rebranded as '96.3 Real Radio XS' at the end of October 2011.

This would result in XS retaining local programming at key times, but during networked hours taking these shows from Xfm London, as Xfm Manchester already did, rather than taking programmes from Real XS in Manchester, which was sold to Communicorp[when?]

The original broadcast licence was cancelled and a new license for covering a wider geographical area was dvertised for Glasgow and The West of Scotland.

Four operators bid to win the license, Bauer Media, DC Thomson, GO Radio (Glasgow) and Rockscot Ltd, led by Ciaran O'Toole, being the successful applicant.

[8] Test transmissions for 96.3FM began on 30 August, with an official launch on Monday 3 September.