Sunrise Radio to launch TV station

Asian broadcaster Sunrise Radio is to launch a new, free-to-air digital TV station early next year, according to this week's Broadcast magazine.

The radio station, which broadcasts on the AM waveband around Greater London, follows the likes of Classic FM and Jazz FM by expanding into the television market.

Sunrise Radio is to be the main shareholder of Sunrise TV, which will initially launch on Sky Digital before rolling out to digital cable.

"We've embarked on a diversification drive into related areas and TV is one of the initiatives we're planning to come to fruition," said Sunrise Radio director Shammy Batra.

Sunrise TV will target a "more wider audience" than the radio station, although details of exactly what it will show are being kept quiet until plans are at a more advanced stage.