Third National Radio Station Announced

Talk Radio UK has been awarded the third national commercial radio licence, the Radio Authority has announced this afternoon. Talk Radio UK, a 100% based speech and talkback service, put in the highest bid, at £3.82m, £1m higher than any other bidder.

The award is not on highest bid alone; content and ability to provide backing are also taken into consideration. The LBC bid was not fully processed by the Authority because shortly after it placed its application it went into receivership and the funding arrangements could not be fulfilled. Jim Black Broadcasting Company was disqualified at the outset because the cheque for its application fee was not honoured by its bankers.

The remaining bidders all complied with the relevant requirements of the Broadcasting Act 1990; Talk Radio UK was accordingly awarded the licence as it put in the highest bid.

Lord Chalfont, Chairman of the Radio Authority, said, “Listeners all over the country will soon have a genuine alternative national source for news, information and discussion programmes to that which is provided by the BBC and this will be a major enhancement of choice.”

The new service, which will occupy the frequencies 1053 and 1089 kHz, AM frequencies previously occupied by Radio 1, is expected to start broadcasting early next year.

Radio Authority: 071 430 2724.

Talk Radio UK Ltd: Brian MacLaurin 071 371 3333.