Media Ventures Buys Out Partners In Talk Radio

Media Ventures International has taken complete control of Talk Radio UK. Talk Radio UK’s other shareholders have decided to sell out to MVI less than 9 months after the station’s launch.

MVI has bought out the 24.5% stakes each held by Emmis Broadcasting and CanWest Global Communications, and the 11.5% held by Hambros, in a deal estimated to be worth more than £5m. MVI now owns 95% of Talk Radio, with the remaining held by Radio Investments. It is also expected that CLT, part of the winning Channel 5 consortium will take a stake in Talk Radio.

The news comes when the station’s performance has improved; latest RAJAR figures show the station now has an audience of 2.3 million, and a reach of 5% compared to the 3% reach it had when it first started. The dropping of the “shock jocks” has meant more ad revenue from advertisers who would not use it before, including Sainsburys and the Royal Mail. The station has also been praised by the Radio Authority for the efforts it has made to improve.

Talk Radio: 0171 636 1089