XFM, GCap Media’s “indie” rock network, will become the first radio network to drop the DJ altogether and hand over control to listeners.

Commercial stations are already suffering so XFM has taken the bold step of axing its daytime DJs and centrally controlled playlist. The DJs Marsha and Graeme Smith will disappear between 10am and 4pm each weekday. Instead, listeners will choose the music through text message and votes on the XFM website. Messages left by listeners will punctuate the stream of music.

The innovation will be introduced this month in the network’s London, Scotland and Manchester stations, which have a million listeners.

Although Radio 1 has no plans to drop daytime stars Jo Whiley and Edith Bowman, it is planning a campaign to secure teenage listeners over the internet. Radio 1’s future lies in “visual content such as streaming live events and podcasting”, Andy Parfitt, the controller, said.

Nick Davidson, XFM’s managing director, said: “Our listeners are used to being able to control what they watch or listen to. Allowing them to shape their own content seems the next logical step.”

Specialist DJs will continue in the evening with audience research showing that many listeners appreciate the musical expertise of some hosts.

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