Channel 4 Announces Plans For Digital Radio
Channel 4 chief executive Andy Duncan yesterday lifted the lid on the broadcaster’s long-awaited plans to enter the digital radio sector, outlining designs for a raft of Channel 4 branded stations to offer more competition to the BBC as a public service broadcaster.
The TV boss revealed that Channel 4 would make a “serious bid” for the second national DAB multiplex now on offer, which if successful would enable the launch of a DAB portfolio, as well as integrated audio, video and data services to mobiles.
The broadcaster is currently in negotiations with partners for its bid, and has appointed Capital Radio’s former strategy and development director, Nathalie Schwarz, to oversee its expansion into radio.
Channel 4 hopes to provide an alternative PSB offering to the BBC’s news, current affairs, entertainment, lifestyle and comedy services, as well as putting pressure on commercial rivals, as Duncan explained the broadcaster “will want some of our radio services to make money.”
According to Duncan, the commercial radio sector “could do with a shot of new energy, and the BBC could do with some public service competition,” although the broadcast boss was at pains to point out “we are not in the business of replicating familiar commercial formats.”
The move builds upon Channel 4’s acquisition of a 51% stake in talk radio station Oneword last year, an asset which the broadcaster now intends to cross promote through its TV broadcasts and news bulletins (see Oneword Deal Completed With Channel 4). The first such promotion will see Channel 4 News presenter Jon Snow host a current affairs series on the station, as well as launching a podcast for download by listeners.
Channel 4’s plans are ambitious to say the least, and the new multiplex’s very creation is still challenged by Ralph Bernard, chief executive of GCap Media. The radio boss once again criticised Ofcom’s decision to create the second multiplex at the MediaTel INSIGHT Digital Radio and Beyond Seminar last month, branding the move unfair and illegal (see New Multiplexes Are Illegal – Bernard).
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