Channel 4 Reveals Digital Radio Partners

Channel 4 has signed Emap, SMG, UTV and Disney to its bid for the second national digital radio licence.

Channel 4 has also teamed up with CanWest, Universal Music, Sunrise and Gaydar for the bid, with applications for the licence due in by March 28.

Channel 4 is the clear favourite for the licence, with National Grid Wireless, operator of nine out of 11 national radio networks, the only other party to have gone public with its interest.

The broadcaster has also signed a deal with the music magazine NME and Universal Music Group to investigate ways in which music can be distributed digitally.

Additionally, reports in the trade press claim that the Financial Times and Penguin Publishing will be contributing to the Channel 4 bid.

NewsLine reported in January that Emap was expected to join with Channel 4 for the licence bid (see Emap Could Join 4Radio Second Multiplex Bid).

Nathalie Schwarz, Channel 4’s director of radio who will be leading the bid, outlined the broadcaster’s vision for the second multiplex at MediaTel Group’s Future of Radio Seminar last November (see Emap Could Join 4Radio Second Multiplex Bid).

Channel Four: 020 7396 4444 www.channel4.com Emap: 01733 568 900 www.emap.co.uk SMG: 0141 300 3000 www.smgplc.plc.uk UTV: 02890 328122 www.utv.co.uk