4 Digital Group Reveals Digital Multiplex Bid
Channel 4 Radio has submitted its proposals for the new national commercial digital multiplex to Ofcom as part of a consortium called the 4 Digital Group.
As reported earlier, if Channel 4 wins the multiplex licence it will broadcast ten national radio stations as well as secondary services, such as podcasts.
New stations on the licence are listed below:
- Channel 4 Radio – owned by Channel 4
- E4 Radio – owned by Channel 4
- Pure4 – owned by Channel 4
- Sky News Radio – a joint venture between BSkyB and Chrysalis
- Closer – owned by Emap
- Radio Disney – owned by Disney
- Talk Radio – owned by UTV
- Virgin Radio Viva – owned by Virgin Radio
- Sunrise Radio UK – owned by Sunrise Radio
- Original – owned by CanWest Media Networks
There is an additional partnership with Carphone Warehouse, which is intended to promote digital radio services within mobile phones. This tie-in comes after Carphone Warehouse recently pulled out of its sponsorship of Big Brother (see Carphone Warehouse Hangs Up On Big Brother).
If successful, the consortium intends to spend £4.5 million on marketing digital radio in the first three years of the licence period, with Nathalie Schwarz saying it was paramount that the medium was embraced by consumers before television broadcasting goes entirely digital in 2012.
Ofcom will announce the winner in the summer, with Channel 4 promising first broadcasts in summer 2008 if they win.
Channel Four: 020 7396 4444 www.channel4.com