Channel 4 Radio In Talks To Join RAB

Newly launched Channel 4 Radio is understood to have had preliminary conversations with industry body the Radio Advertising Bureau with a view to taking up membership.

If Channel 4 does take up membership, it would join other RAB members including GCap Media, Emap Radio and Chrysalis Radio.

Channel 4 Radio would be the most recent addition to the RAB since TalkSport took up membership of the body after the departure of its former chairman and chief executive Kelvin MacKenzie.

The fledgling Channel 4 Radio network (see C4 Makes History With Radio Launch) has recently signed a deal with Universal Music giving the record company strategic partner status in the television company’s application for the new national DAB multiplex.

Earlier in the year, Channel 4 announced its intention to lead a consortium to bid for the new national digital radio multiplex, which is expected to be advertised by Ofcom at the end of 2006. It was revealed this week that Channel 4 is in detailed discussions with BSkyB about a potential partnership to bid for the multiplex.

Further developments at the broadcaster were revealed yesterday when chief executive Andy Duncan announced that Channel 4 would be the first major UK broadcaster to simulcast its television output online (see C4 First To Simulcast TV Content Online).

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