The launch date of Channel 4 Radio - which is being positioned as a rival to BBC Radio 4 - has been pushed back to April 2009.

The station had been scheduled to launch in January 2009 as one of three Channel 4 stations on the second national digital radio multiplex.

Minutes released by Ofcom of a meeting on October 11, 2007 have revealed that the regulator agreed to the postponement because it "was within the terms under which the national radio multiplex licence had been offered, and thus did not require Ofcom's approval".

Along with Channel 4 Radio, the 4 Digital multiplex will carry E4 Radio and Pure4 from the broadcaster. It will also broadcast Talk Radio, Closer, Sky News Radio, Sunrise Radio, Virgin Radio Viva, Original, and Radio Disney.