The Radio Authority (RA) has this morning announced the award of the London digital multiplex licence to CE Digital, a consortium formed by Capital Radio and EMAP. The Authority considered applications from three groups for the London licence, the only digital licence to be contested. The unsuccessful applicants in this round were Switch Digital – a consortium of Talk Radio, Virgin Radio, Clear Channel and Castle Transmission (see Switch Digital Submits Bid For London Digital Radio Licence) – and MXR London, a group formed by Chrysalis Radio, Border Television, Daily Mail & General Trust and ethnic broadcasting group Soul Media.
CE Digital is to provide nine programme services, beginning in May 2000. Channels will include contemporary hits, rolling news, Asian and modern rock. The news, information and entertainment services will be provided by London News Radio; the Asian programming is produced by Sunrise Radio.
Tim Schoonmaker, chief executive of Emap Radio, said: “The strength of tried and tested brands such as 95.8 Capital FM, Magic, Capital Gold, Kiss 100 and Xfm will drive the take up of digital radios in London. They provide a foundation of quality services which will give confidence in the new medium, and cross-promotion on Londonšs favourite stations will help to establish digital radio quickly.”
Commenting on the award, Sir Peter Gibbings, chairman of the RA, said: “The award of this local digital multiplex licence, the only digital licence to be contested to date, has been an important one involving three strong and contrasting applicants. We are not always able to offer consolation to losers, but on this occasion I can confirm that we intend to advertise two more digital multiplex licences for Greater London. The second of these digital licences will be advertised next week.”
A spokesperson for Switch Digital said that the group had not yet had time to decide whether it would apply for the further London licences, but added that it is still committed to digital radio and is likely to be a player in the next applications.
At the same time, the RA has awarded the South Yorkshire and Glasgow digital licences to the sole applicants, EMAP Digital Radio (see RA Receives One Application For South Yorkshire Digital Licence) and Score Digital (Scottish Radio) (see Score Digital Is Sole Bidder For Glasgow Digital Radio Licence) respectively.
Radio Authority: 0171 430 2724 Capital Radio: 0171 766 6000 EMAP Radio: 0171 504 6000 Scottish Radio: 0141 306 2242
