Global to sell Digital One stake

Global Radio is set to sell its 63% stake in the national digital radio multiplex, Digital One, to its fellow shareholder Arqiva.

The deal, which is thought to be for a nominal sum, will see Global swap its share of Digital One in exchange for cheaper transmission costs for its digital stations from Arqiva, according to reports.

Digital One is the only national platform for digital radio after plans for a second multiplex, which was set to operated by Channel 4 and backed by 4 Digital Group, collapsed last year.

As a result, Digital One is vital to the future success of digital radio, which currently only has one DAB-only commercial national station in the UK – Planet Rock.

Talks between Global and Arqiva have been on-going for months, after it emerged that Global was keen to address the heavy dual transmission costs of broadcasting its stations on both FM and DAB.