Premier Radio to launch national Christian DAB station

Premier Radio is set to launch a national version of its Christian DAB station on September 21.

The Christian media charity is currently available on DAB in London and on Sky and Freeview as well as through the internet but its backers are keen to secure a national licence from Digital One.

Ofcom will need to consider and agree to the licence application at the next Radio Licensing Committee meeting on September 7, according to reports.

The radio station, which is owned by the Premier Christian Media Trust charity, is funded through a mixture of traditional radio adverts, paid-for on-air ministries and donations.

The group’s chief executive, Peter Kerridge, said the licence is “still going through” but the station was “on track to launch for 21 September”.

Premier estimates that it will cost £650,000 a year to transmit the station nationally but Kerridge said the station is in a better position than commercial media companies as the “ad-funded model is smashed”.