The national commercial digital radio multiplex licence will provide the successful bidder with enough space on Britain’s airwaves to run 10 national radio services and a number of other secondary services too.
Here's a summary of the radio services 4 Digital Group plans to launch on the multiplex:
Channel 4 Radio Limited will operate three services, bringing Channel 4’s distinctive public service values to both speech and music radio, providing effective competition to the BBC, and building on Channel 4’s proven ability to win and retain difficult-to-reach audiences.
E4 Radio will be a music service with an entirely fresh approach, aimed at a 15 to 29 year old audience. Driven by interactivity with its listeners, a commitment to new music and an ability to grow new comedy talent across the UK, E4 Radio will encourage its audience to shape the content and style of the programming, as well as respond to it.
Channel 4 Radio will be a speech-based service aimed at a 30 to 54 year old audience, with an emphasis on news, current affairs, comedy, drama, documentaries and debate. News and current affairs will be at its heart and it will build on Channel 4‘s distinctive public service contribution to intelligent and innovative programming.
Pure4 will be a music and speech service targeting 30 to 49 year olds, with an eclectic range of music complemented by intelligent conversation about the arts and contemporary culture.
All three services will have regular news throughout the day, and news will be particular feature of Channel 4 Radio, which will have an in-depth morning news and analysis programme. Channel 4 believes that by integrating its television, radio and online news services it can create a flexible format that will give listeners high-quality, challenging news and analysis whenever and however they want it.
UTV will re-introduce the original Talk Radio format, mixing studio discussion with phone-ins and chat about issues of the day.
Emap will continue to innovate across media platforms by creating a new radio service with the same brand values and attributes of the UK’s best selling celebrity magazine, Closer, with the launch of a music and lifestyle station aimed at 30 to 44 year old women.
In a joint venture with Chrysalis Radio, and as its first venture into DAB digital radio, Sky will produce Sky News Radio, a rolling 24-hour news service-providing up-to-the minute news and information supported by the significant resources of the Sky News team.
For the first time, commercial radio will offer a national service for the UK’s large Asian community, Sunrise Radio. This national service will contain bespoke programming, focusing on Asian music and Asian artists.
Buoyed by its recent tranche of successful analogue radio licence awards, CanWest will provide Original, an album-led music service targeting listeners above the age of 40.
Disney is set to provide the first national children’s radio service aimed at 8 to 12 year olds and featuring music and entertainment.
As well as innovative radio services, 4 Digital Group will introduce a national Podcast Service, providing an opportunity for niche services - catering for a diversity of passions, interests and communities - to reach their audience throughout the UK. Downloadable radio podcasts range from Gaydar (gay and lesbian community), Club Asia (Asian dance music), NME (new music), IMG (sport), Penguin (audio books), The Financial Times (business), The Prince’s Trust (youth new music and issues), the Media Trust (social action) and Colourful (multi-cultural speech).
