The Radio Authority has received three applications for the local digital multiplex licence for the North-East England licence, advertised to run initially for a period of twelve years from commencement of broadcasting. The applicants are the Digital Radio Group, which counts The Wireless Group, GWR, Emap Digital Radio, SMG and the Carphone Warehouse among its shareholders (see Digital Radio Group Announces Final Shareholder Line-Up); North East Digital Radio Ltd, which includes Forever Broadcasting Digital Radio, Saga Regional Digital Radio and Scottish Radio Holdings’ SCORE Digital; and MXR, whose shareholders include Chrysalis Radio, Capital Radio, Guardian Media Group, Jazz FM, UBC Digital, Soul Media and the Ford Motor Company (see Ford To Join MXR Consortium In North East Bid).
The licence will cover the former metropolitan counties of Tyne & Wear and Cleveland and parts of the counties of Durham, Northumberland and North Yorkshire. This presents a potential audience of around 2 million people over the age of 15.
The Digital Radio Group (DRG) is proposing to broadcast ten programme services, including dance, country, easy listening and adult contemporary/speech stations. However, the children’s service will only be broadcast during daytime hours, the jazz service only in off-peak hours, and the news and community information service between 6am and midnight.
MXR has said it would broadcast nine programme services, all on a round-the-clock basis. These would also include children’s, jazz and regional news services. The proposal also includes a dance/rhythmic hits and an “Urban” station.
North East Digital Radio (NEDR) would broadcast seven programme services, again, each on a round-the-clock basis. These would include a service for listeners aged 50+, provided by Saga Radio, modern music and soul & Motown services and Galaxy and Century services subject to agreement.
Representations from the public on the proposals are to reach the Radio Authority by 4 December, as a decision on the award is due to be made at the turn of the year.
Digital Radio Group- contact The Wireless Group: 020 7959 7900 OR GWR Group: 020 7343 9000
MXR- contact Chrysalis Radio: 020 7221 2213 OR Capital Radio : 020 7766 6000
North East Digital Group -contact Forever Broadcasting: 0191 286 0000 OR SCORE Digital: 0141 565 2347
Radio Authority: 020 7430 2724
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