Established in 1997, it is generally aimed at the youth audience broadcasting news, current affairs, entertainment and popular music.

[1] The station primarily plays English-language international popular music.

[1] As of 2012[update], Yle X3M had a technical reach of 48% of Finns older than 9 years old.

[3] The daily reach of it and Yle Vega together was 3 % of the population over age 9 in 2010, making them together the 10th largest radio "channel" in Finland at the time.

[5] The station was considered for closure in 2007 as Yle sought savings in order to adjust to lowering income from television licences, but the station was spared from closure following public support.