GWR To Chill With New Digital Station

Radio operator GWR has announced the launch of the UK’s first dedicated ‘chill’ digital radio format, designed to broaden listener choice, offering a relaxing and ambient 100% music service.

Chill will include artists such as Moby, Zero 7, Royksopp, Air, Groove Armada and Norah Jones and will be broadcast across nine NOWdigital multiplexes serving Bristol & Bath, Essex and Dorset, as well as being available in Wiltshire, Devon and Coventry, and across Berkshire, Cornwall and Cambridgeshire.

The latest stataion follows GWR’s recently formed a partnership with HIT Entertainment to create a new digital radio service for the under-10s, called Children’s Radio UK Ltd (CRUK) (see GWR Hopes For Hit With Children’s Digital Radio Offering).

CRUK will be launched in April on DAB digital multiplexes serving London, Essex, Berkshire, Wiltshire, Bristol, Avon and Dorset.

GWR is set to merge with rival radio group Capital later this year, following confirmation that the Office of Fair Trading would not be referring the two companies’ consolidation to the Competition Commission (see Capital GWR Merger Escapes Competition Inquiry).

Speculation suggests that the high-profile merger could be completed as early as May, creating the nation’s largest commercial radio operator, worth around £711 million and controlling 40% of radio advertising.

GWR Group: 020 7284 3000 www.gwrgroup.com HIT Entertainment: www.hitentertainment.com

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