Wireless Group Expands Commitment To Digital Radio

The Wireless Group has reached a deal that will see it consolidate its influence over digital broadcasting in London.

Kelvin MacKenzie’s radio company has acquired a 10% stake in DRG, owner of the London III digital multiplex licence, from Matsushita Electric Europe, a subsidiary of Panasonic.

TWG already has a 23.58% shareholding in DRG as well as an 80.5% stake in the London II licence, held by SwitchDigital (London) Ltd, making it the largest digital multiplex operator in the capital.

“We believe unreservedly in the digital future of radio and will continue to invest in it where opportunities arise,” said MacKenzie. “Listeners clearly want digital radio as evidenced by the record number of sets sold in the run-up to Christmas and the industry is expecting increasing sales this year. It is the hottest, must-have product in the sector.”

In addition to its London interests, TWG has a 92% stake in SwitchDigital (Scotland) Ltd which owns the Central Scotland and Aberdeen multiplex licences and majority shareholdings in licences for Bradford and Huddersfield, Swansea and Stoke-on-Trent.

The Wireless Group recently issued a trading statement revealing that revenues had risen by 24% during September, October and November of last year, with the company’s flagship talkSPORT jumping by 28%, 42% and 38% respectively (see Positive Outlook From Wireless Group And UBC).

Wireless Group: 020 7269 7180

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