4 Digital Group scoops multiplex licence

Ofcom has announced the award of the new digital audio broadcasting national radio multiplex licence is to go to 4 Digital Group Limited.

The 12-year licence will allow the broadcast of a number of radio and other multimedia services such as text and data. By the closing date of March 28, Ofcom had received two applications for the national multiplex licence, the other being from National Grid Wireless Limited.

4 Digital Group is mainly owned by Channel 4 Radio, who hold a 55% share, with Sky News Radio, Emap Digital Radio, UTV Radio and the Carphone Warehouse Group all holding a 10% stake. UBC Media Group owns the remaining 5% share.

4 Digital Group Limited is proposing to provide ten linear national digital sound programme services, which include youth station E4 Radio; public speech service Channel 4 Radio; 'intelligent adult' Pure4; news, views and entertainment station Talk Radio; female, celebrity and lifestyle station Closer; rolling news service Sky News Radio; an Asian service Sunrise Radio; a female-friendly version of Virgin called Virgin Radio Viva; an adult album alternative station called Original; and a children's service called Radio Disney in partnership with Walt Disney Company International.

It also proposes to provide a "wide selection of podcasts provided by a range of diverse companies".

4 Digital Group Limited has committed to launch eight national digital sound services and at least nine podcast providers within 12 months, using a network of 174 transmitters which it estimates will provide 'outdoor' coverage of 86.6% of the adult (aged 15+) population of the UK. Two further national digital sound programme services will launch "at the earliest opportunity thereafter, and in any event within the following 11 months".

Ed Richards, Ofcom chief executive, said: “Today’s licence award is an important development for radio listeners who will benefit from a greater variety of commercial national radio services.”

He added: “The award will give a real boost to the DAB platform, which we believe will form the cornerstone of radio provision in the future.”

4 Digital Group has also committed to spend £4.5 million on marketing of DAB in the first three years of the licence period, together with "over £25 million marketing spend to support the launch of the individual new radio services". 4 Digital Group will also work with the BBC, retailers and manufacturers to help promote DAB.