London Licence Winner Announced Today

The Radio Authority will announce the winning bid for the last London FM licence today at 5pm and three consortiums are widely tipped to be among the front-runners. They are XFM, The Edge and Festival Radio.

XFM , the specialist alternative rock music station aimed at 15-34 year olds, is tipped by the industry to have a good chance mainly because no other broadcasters offer this type of service. It has also gained respect in the music press through broadcasting on temporary licences in the London area. It narrowly missed out on the FM licence award in 1994 which went to Virgin 1215.

The Edge, the personality-based music led station aimed at young Londoners, also stands a chance. This is especially due to the fact that it has high-profile backers such as Michael Caine and Chris Evans which has given it a great deal of publicity. It would also offer the same type of music as XFM.

Festival Radio, again aiming at a young audience, hopes that its more even mix of speech and music will distinguish it in the eyes of the RA panel. Its proposal of indie music mixed with news, information and listings will set it apart from its main rivals.

For a full list of the 25 bidders and their proposals, subscribers should click Twenty-Five Stations Compete For London Licence.

The winner will be reported on Newsline this afternoon, after 5pm.