Channel 4 Outlines Vision For Second Multiplex

At yesterday’s MediaTel Group future of radio seminar, the second national digital multiplex was predictably one of the hot topics up for discussion, with panellist Nathalie Schwarz, director of radio at Channel 4, saying a successful bid by the broadcaster for the multiplex would have a positive effect on the radio industry.

Schwarz said of the thinking behind the bid: “Channel 4 believe there’s a great future for radio. We believe in terms of what we can bring, our vision is to build on what we’ve done in the television industry in the last 25 years. So we’re a real investment in terms of a risk-taking approach, from the quality in the DNA of everything we bring to TV bringing it to radio.

She added that Channel 4 would seek to extend “the diversity of commercial radio’s programming, to renew audiences, lure them away from the BBC and therefore be able to help commercial radio, working with the rest of the industry, regain its market leadership.” She said: “It’s a real genuine commitment to investment in programming, a real risk-taking approach and attitude, working with radio production companies, to really help flourish the rebirth or reinvention, or regeneration maybe, of radio as it moves to a digital age.”

Channel 4 is the current favourite to land the multiplex when it becomes open for competition on Friday (see

IPC And Channel 4 Could Bid For Second Multiplex

IPC And Channel 4 Could Bid For Second Multiplex GCap Abandons Legal Action Over Second Multiplex).

Speaking about the multiplex, Peter Davies of Ofcom said that it will be advertised from Friday this week, with a closing date of the end of March, with a decision made on the successful bid during the summer. He also emphasised the fact that the successful bid will have to show that it will offer new and innovative services, whether they be linear or new sorts of data services.

MediaTel Group: 0207 439 7575 www.mediatelgroup.co.uk