Radio Authority Advertises South Yorkshire Digital Multiplex

The Radio Authority this week advertises the local digital radio multiplex licence for South Yorkshire. This is the fifth licence of its sort to be advertised by the RA which is releasing the ads at the rate of one per month. Licences for Birmingham, Manchester, Greater London and Glasgow have already by advertised (see RA Advertises Digital Radio Licence For Manchester). The South Yorkshire licence will offer potential digital radio broadcasters an audience of around one and a quarter million people.

Two of the country’s largest radio operators, EMAP and Capital Radio, have announced an alliance to bid for such regional digital licences, after deciding to withdraw from the bidding for the national digital multiplex licence (see Emap And Capital Join Forces To Bid For Digital Licences). The national licence was awarded to the sole bidder, Digital One in October last year (see Radio Authority Awards Digital Radio Multiplex To Sole Applicant).

EMAP and Capital are bidding for the Birmingham, Manchester and London licences but a spokesperson for Capital Radio this afternoon told Newsline that a decision has not yet been made regarding the South Yorkshire licence.

The RA has also said that it will put the re-advertisement of the Independent Local Radio licence for Paisley on hold until after the Glasgow digital licence is awarded. The Paisley licence is currently held by 96.3 QFM; it is due to expire on 31 August 2000.

Radio Authority: 0171 430 2724