Twenty-Five Stations Compete For London Licence

The deadline for applications to run the new FM licence for Greater London passed yesterday with 25 bidders providing their proposals. The new station will broadcast on the frequency formerly used by Melody and will reach almost 6 million adults (Newsline 09/04).

The applicants are:

• A.I.R 104.9 FM (0181 961 5951): aimed at Irish listeners
• Black FM (0171 224 8086): reggae and reggae-related music, with news and information for a broad audience
• British Reggae Industry (0181 673 5966): music-based service covering all aspects of black music
• Buzz FM (0171 813 4100): aimed at children, offering entertainment and education
• Capital Gold (0171 608 6161): popular music hits from the ’60s to the ’80s
• Choice FM (0171 738 7969): urban contemporary music, news and information aimed at people of Afro-Caribbean origin
• The Edge (0171 765 5328): personality-based, music-led and aimed at young Londoners
• Energy (01323 442742): new music station for young listeners
• Eurozone 104.9 FM (0171 388 9393): music and information with a European focus
• Festival Radio (0171 580 5668): alternative and indie music with news, information and listings
• G104.9 FM (0171 512 5157): music-led and personality driven service aimed at gay and lesbian audience
• London Atlantic (0171 371 3333): music-led fun radio, broadcasting main-stream pop and information aimed at young listeners
• London Business And Sport Radio (01793 422700): 24-hour station providing economic, business and financial news and information with sports news, reports and comment
• London Children’s Radio (0181 340 8947): aimed at children aged between 2 and 12 years and their parents/carers
• London Irish Radio (0181 840 2872): emphasis on Irish music and information but aiming at wide audience
• Nomad (0161 872 1122): alternative music-led station appealing to 15-34 year olds
• Radio France International (00 331 44308931): offers London-based francophones and francophiles, students and teachers access to French music, language and culture
• Rocket FM (0171 225 6717): champions the artistry of rock music
• Saga Radio (01303 711003): speech and music service aimed at over-50s and those in retirement
• Sakthi Radio (0181 343 4104): aimed at Tamil speaking people, including programmes for Asian community as a whole
• Sangeet FM (01455 202518): 24-hour station serving Asian community
• Soul 104.9 (0171 911 0119): music-based service playing soul and Motown tracks; aimed at 18-50 year olds
• Sunrise Radio (0181 574 6666): music-led Asian service
• Super FM (0181 238 9300): youthful Asian music station, mixing Kiss FM and Capital Gold styles
• XFM (0171 580 7577): specialist alternative rock music station, aimed at 15-34 year olds

The Radio Authority hopes to announce its decision around the end of the year.

Radio Authority: 0171 430 2724