Board pull plug on 4DG

Shareholders of the planned digital radio venture, 4Digital Group, have agreed to dissolve the business and hand the licence back to Ofcom.

The decision to end the proposed digital radio service has reportedly been made during a number of board meetings, which have taken place over the past two weeks, by the remaining 4DG shareholders.

However, minority shareholders Bauer Media, UBC Media, UTV, BSkyB and Carphone Warehouse have requested to see detailed management accounts from former partner Channel 4 before closing the business.

The last board meeting was understood to be cancelled because the accounts contained insufficient information at the time.

Channel 4 said: “We’re working collaboratively with all our 4DG partners about the best way forward for the multiplex.”

An Ofcom spokesperson added: “The last formal request from 4DG was for a delay to launch. Ofcom agreed to give 4DG until the end of January to come back with their plans. We are aware that discussions between 4DG and shareholders are ongoing.”

Channel Four: 020 7396 4444 www.channel4.com Ofcom: 020 7981 3040 www.ofcom.org.uk