Second London Digital Radio Multiplex Prepares To Switch On

London will gain nine more digital radio stations tonight, as Switchdigital launches its range of services just eleven weeks after winning the second digital radio multiplex licence for the capital (see Switch Digital Wins Second London Licence).

Three of the stations will be existing London stations Heart 106.2 FM, Jazz FM 102.2 and BBC London Live 94.9 while the other six will be digital-only, produced by the consortium members, Virgin Radio, Clear Channel and The Wireless Group (TWG).

TWG’s Kelvin MacKenzie, who chairs Switchdigital said “Today’s launch makes London the best city in the world for radio listeners, radio broadcasters and the advertising industry.” The new stations will have a potential audience of over 8 million over-15 year olds.

The consortium’s digital-only offerings include:

The Groove, a classic soul station from Virgin.

Big London, classic rock and sport and

The Lounge which will have easy-listening aimed at the over-45 age group, both from TWG.

WLON is a station for classic hits from the 70s,80s and 90s, while. This station is to be produced by Clear Channel, as is

Travel, which is aimed at London commuters, and

Ministry, a chart hits and club dance music station for the under-25s which is a joint venture with super-club, Ministry of Sound.

The services go live at 6pm tonight, bringing the number of digital radio stations available to Londoners to more than 35.

Switchdigital: 020 7959 7869