Scottish Radio Makes Strong Start To Year

Scottish Radio Holdings (SRH) has reported good interim results for the six months until 31 March 2000. The group’s turnover increased by 39% in this period, to £34m, although pre-tax profits were 11% down on the same period last year, at £6.4m.

The six months have seen SRH fail in its hostile bid attempt for Border television, losing out to Capital (see Capital Radio Wins Battle For Border). The group is unbowed, however, saying “The Board believes that a significant number of investment opportunities will continue to arise…[it] will continue to evaluate other acquisition and investment opportunities.”

As well as its acquisition strategy, the group has a commitment to digital radio. This has made some headway, as digital radio subsidiary, Score Digital, won the Edinburgh digital radio multiplex (see Score Wins Digital Licence For Edinburgh). The Glasgow multiplex will also be operated by Score Digital and is due to commence broadcasting in early June (see Score Digital Is Sole Bidder For Glasgow Digital Radio Licence).

A collaborative bid with GWR and Guardian Media Group to become operators of the second London multiplex (see GWR And Scottish Radio Unite In London Licence Bid), however, failed to produce the desired result (see Switch Digital Wins Second London Licence) so the group has stated that it intends to bid for the third London multiplex license when it is advertised.

Scottish Radio Holdings: 0141 306 2242