Sound Digital Welcomes Ofcom s Award of New National Digital Radio Licence

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Sound Digital's application emphasised its commitment to delivering a step-change in choice for listeners within 12 months of Ofcom's decision and work to fulfil this commitment will start immediately.

As outlined in the company's application, the line-up comprises popular, well-loved brands which will be entirely or predominantly exclusive to digital radio. Sound Digital's network is projected to reach 46 million people and an estimated 88% of vehicles on the move, and the consortium will initiate a high-impact promotional campaign for launch, which will be coordinated with partners including retailers, manufacturers and the vehicle industry.

The radio services set to be launched are as follows:

talkRADIO

talkSPORT

talkBUSINESS

Virgin Radio

KISSTORY

Magic

Heat Radio

Planet Rock

Absolute Radio

Sunrise Radio

British Muslim Radio

UCB International

Christian Radio

Jazz FM

DAB Plus

Sound Digital's line-up of 15 services leaves capacity for additional content providers to join the network prior to launch. Sound Digital is in discussions with a number of parties interested in accessing this capacity and intends to issue a further advertisement for expressions of interest shortly. It will also be inviting proposals from broadcasters interested in operating the DAB+ channel included as part of its launch line-up.

Steve Holebrook, our Managing Director of Terrestrial Broadcast, said:

We are delighted that Ofcom has awarded the licence to Sound Digital. Our aim is to bring more listening choice to the radio market and in conjunction with our content partners we will immediately start the process of rolling out the network. We will be launching with a great line-up that will help to further drive DAB take-up.

Dee Ford, Group Managing Director Radio, Bauer Media, said:

This decision benefits both listeners and advertisers alike, by offering a wider choice of high quality speech and music radio content. This consortium offers an accessible approach to digital radio content providers and our network's cost-effectiveness ensures the long-term viability of these radio services for all parties .

Scott Taunton, Chief Operating Officer, UTV Media plc, said:

We're thrilled to have been awarded the licence and look forward to starting work on launching the new stations. talkSPORT 2, talkBUSINESS and talkRADIO will challenge the BBC's dominance of speech radio while Virgin Radio is a much loved brand returning to the airwaves. Today's decision by Ofcom is exciting news for UTV, our Sound Digital partners and the radio industry as a whole.

Tags

digital radio

Sound Digital

D2

Multiplex

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