The Radio Authority has decided to award the national commercial digital multiplex licence to Digital One, the digital consortium owned by GWR (57%), NTL (33%) and Talk Radio (10%).
Digital One was the only group to submit an application for the licence (see Newsline), although in the run up to the deadline other parties considered submissions, including Digital Media Broadcasting (see Newsline) and both EMAP and Capital (see Newsline). However, these groups decided to concentrate on making multiple regional launches instead of one national one (see Newsline).
The Radio Authority is believed to have had reservations about the bid, wanting greater control over Digital One’s programming, and industry analysts have been surprised at the amount of time the RA has taken over the decision.
Despite this, the chairman of the RA, Sir Peter Gibbons, said of the licence: “The award of this licence confirms the prospect of digital broadcasting for commercial radio. This is an exciting and challenging time for the industry. The Authority congratulates Digital One on becoming the first commercial radio company to be licensed to operate a technology which is capable over time of transforming radio listening.”
Digital One will broadcast a total of ten programme services, including Virgin Radio, Talk Radio and Classic FM, and 7 new channels. The service will begin broadcasting on 1 October 1999, and it is estimated that 69% of the UK population will be covered by transmission at launch.
Quentin Howard, Digital One chief executive, commented on the award: “Through new technology, Digital One aims to triple listeners choice and achieve the highest net audience. We will do this by providing an innovative mix of programming which successfully combines familiar brands such as Classic FM, Talk Radio and Virgin with new digital services which differ significantly from the BBC’s.”
Digital One Consortium: 0171 344 2718 Radio Authority: 0171 430 2724
