Talk, Virgin and Clear Channel Form Digital Radio Consortium

Talk Radio, Virgin Radio and Clear Channel have announced that they are forming a consortium to bid for all of the regional digital radio licenses being advertised by the Radio Authority (RA).

Initially, the consortium will concentrate on the recently advertised Greater London licences, although it also intends to apply for the Central Scotland, North East and North West England, West Midlands and Severn Estuary regional multiplexes as well.

Kelvin MacKenzie, chairman and chief executive of Talk Radio, commented: “We have always seen digital as the future of radio at both a national and local level. Digital means choice to the UK consumer and together we intend to provide that choice. Virgin share our vision and have a proven track record of success on their national and London stations. Clear Channel will bring a huge amount of experience and success in the development of radio as a powerful commercial medium around the world. They are a significant new investor to British radio.”

Clear Channel is the global media group which bought the outdoor company More Group last year (see Newsline).

Late last year, Talk Radio announced that it would not be taking up the option of a 10% share in the Digital One radio group, stating that it was more interested in providing radio content than operating multiplexes (see Newsline).

Talk Radio: 0171 636 1089 Virgin Radio: 0171 434 1215 Clear Channel: 0171 287 6100