CLT Considers Its Radio Options

Radio group CLT, which has been deliberating over the future of its local commercial stations, has come up with three possible plans of action: to join all of its local radio stakes to form a new radio company with new partners; to sell over the next twelve months all of its stakes; or to maintain the current stakes but seek no further expansion.

It has long been known that CLT is considering a realignment of its UK radio business, wanting to concentrate more on its national commercial stations Talk Radio and Atlantic 252 .

Although CLT is in partnership discussions with a number of radio players, a sale of all or some of the stakes also seems very likely. If and when either of these plans is instigated it is probable that a key player will be Liberty Broadcasting, part of Mohamed Al-Fayed’s media business.

Since launching in March last year the group has been keen to acquire new media interests and its early success with the relaunched Viva! as 963 Liberty will heighten its interest in this area: in the latest RAJAR figures weekly reach increased 66.1% on 1995 for the London station (subscribers see Newsline’s Features list).