New Stations Expand Emap’s Big City Network

Radio giant Emap has announced a wide-reaching expansion to its Big City Network, adding 12 new ILR (Independent Local Radio) stations.

The expansion is the result of Emap’s recent acquisition of Scottish Radio Holdings, a purchase which brought SRH’s 22 stations under Emap’s control (see Emap Takeover Of SRH Cleared).

Emap’s Big City Network now stretches to 20 radio stations, including Glaswegian Clyde 1, Forth 1 in Edinburgh, Key 103 in Manchester and the Liverpudlian Radio City.

The Big City Network now draws over 4.8 million adults a week, with a core target audience of 20-44 year olds across the North of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The network can now claim to cover a third of the UK.

Commenting on the expansion, Karen Stacey, broadcast sales director at Emap Advertising, said: “Every station incorporated in the Big City Network delivers unique programming to reflect their listeners needs, keeping true to their city and locality. We are delighted to be able to expand the Big City Network reach with the addition of a further 12 stations.

“Big City is the trusted voice of where the target audience lives: this gives advertisers an authentic and respected voice through which to target their potential consumers.”

Emap’s expansion follows a similar move by GCap Media, which this week announced the creation of Britain’s first ‘national-local’ network, with eleven of its The Storm DAB licences rebranded under the Xfm network (see GCap Widens Xfm Coverage With DAB Rebrand).

Emap: 01733 568 900 www.emap.co.uk