GMG plans to bring Jazz FM back to DAB

GMG Radio has said it plans to bring Jazz FM back to DAB radio in London and the north west. The announcement comes less than a month after GCap said it would close theJazz.

Jazz FM became an internet-only station three years ago when GMG started broadcasting Smooth Radio on its London licence. GCap announced it would shut digital-only station theJazz to cut costs two weeks ago.

GMG is now talking to Ofcom about bringing its jazz service back to DAB and ending its regulatory requirement to play jazz through the night on Smooth.

The company said: "GMG Radio believes Jazz FM is a niche listen and with the demise of theJazz, this is an opportunity to provide listeners with their own jazz station 24 hours a day, rather than have it squeezed into the Smooth Radio output through the night."

John Myers, GMG Chief executive, said: "DAB has come a long way in recent years and we are confident that Jazz FM has a promising future on a digital platform."