A LIVERPOOL all-talk radio station may change its name, after being told it can start playing music.

Executives at City Talk will spend the next 48 hours discussing whether to rename the station following yesterday’s decision by Ofcom’s Radio Licensing Committee.

The station asked whether it could abandon its current all-talk programme mix after suffering falling audience figures since its successful first year.

City Talk’s team must also now decide when to launch its music programme, which will consist of classic pop and feature on all shows except the breakfast and drivetime slots.

Station director Richard Maddock said: “Ofcom’s decision is welcome news because it provides clarity.

“The team will now look at the business plan, review our current market situation and consider the implications of the Ofcom decision.

“On behalf of everyone at all the City stations, I would like to thank Ofcom for its decision and also thank everyone who has supported our format change request through the 30-day public consultation period.

“Our commitment to quality, well-produced speech broadcasting at key parts of the day continues as before, and we will continue to work hard to deliver the best talk-focused station.”

City Talk blamed the recession for a fall in advertising at a station which started on time and on budget in January last year.