Capital Radio To Launch Its First National Station

Capital Radio will launch its first national radio station next year after signing a deal with Digital One to broadcast on its digital radio network. From January 2000, the new channel, provisionally called Capital UK, will play adult contemporary music on the first commercial digital multiplex for the UK.

Capital Radio currently operates regional services in London, the Midlands and the South. Yesterday the group announced a restructuring of its operations to prepare for the onset of digital (see Capital Restructures Radio Operations).

Chief Executive of Digital One, Quentin Howard, said: “Capital is a major coup for Digital One and means we now have all the big players in the radio industry firmly behind our national multiplex. We are particularly pleased that Capital has now become a national commercial broadcaster for the first time through its Digital One deal. This is good for the industry, good for the listeners, good for the advertiser and good for digital radio”.

Digital One, owned by GWR Group and cable company NTL, won the licence to become the first national commercial digital multiplex in the UK last year (see Radio Authority Awards Digital Radio Multiplex To Sole Applicant) and will launch its initial service of five channels on 15 November. Today’s news comes after GWR announced its new digital-only stations last week (see GWR Unveils Multi-Million Pound Digital Radio Stations Launch). These services complete the full initial line-up which includes simulcast services from Classic FM, Talk Radio and Virgin Radio. The remaining stations, including Capital UK, will go on air at a rate of one per month.

Capital Radio: 0171 766 6000 Digital One Consortium: 0171 344 2718