FOX FM has confirmed the date its name will disappear from the county’s airwaves.

The commercial station, which began broadcasting in Oxfordshire in 1989, will be rebranded as Heart by owners, Global Radio, on Monday, March 23, as part of a nationwide overhaul of its regional output.

Global Radio has promised a “major investment in the station’s local programming and marketing”, and confirmed all existing Fox FM-only programming, which includes breakfast and ‘drivetime’ slots, hosted by local DJs Adam Ball, Matt Brown, Simon Ross, and Giselle Ruskin, will be maintained.

Programme controller, Mark Sadler, said: “Being part of the Heart brand will give us access to the world’s biggest artists, celebrities, and showbiz interviews, plus there’ll bigger competition prizes, better giveaways, and exclusive concert tickets. 2009 will be a very exciting year for us and our audience.”

Breakfast-show host, Matt Brown, said: “The countdown has begun.

“Our local audience and advertisers will remain at the core of our radio station.

“We are really looking forward to becoming part of the Heart family in March.”