Capital Radio and UBC Media Group have announced the formation of a joint venture to develop digital radio data services in the UK.
The joint venture will enable the companies to create a ‘quasi-national’ data service offering always-on, broadband multimedia content to every major metropolitan area in England and Wales, reaching a population of 27 million adults. This service can be used to transmit pictures, video, graphics and information about the tracks being played, along with other content to portable digital devices, the companies said.
As part of the deal, electronic programme guide (EPG) software developed by Unique Interactive, a subsidiary of UBC, will be licensed for use on all Capital and MXR multiplexes.
David Mansfield, Chief Executive of Capital Radio said: “Our aim is to establish digital radio as a mainstream medium in the UK. We strongly believe that innovative content will help drive the awareness and take-up of digital radio and help achieve this objective”.
Simon Cole, CEO of UBC, says he is expecting to see some transforming developments for digital radio in 2002.