Home > Media and Analysts > News Release Archive > 2007 > Jul > 06|07|07

06|07|07

Ofcom awards new local digital radio multiplex licence for Derbyshire

Ofcom today announces the award of the new local Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) radio multiplex licence to cover Derbyshire.

This is one of a number of new local radio multiplex licences planned to develop DAB coverage for services in those parts of the country not already served. This licensing process will lead to a significant expansion in digital radio services throughout the UK.

By the closing date of 16 April 2007, Ofcom received one application for the Derbyshire licence. After giving careful consideration to the application submitted, the Ofcom Radio Licensing Committee has decided to award the licence to:

Now Digital (East Midlands) Limited
Contact: GCap Media plc, 30 Leicester Square, LONDON, WC2H 7LA.
Contact: Maha Jamil, Tel: 020 7054 8128.
Email: maha.jamil@gcapmedia.com

The shareholders of Now Digital (East Midlands) Limited are as follows:
Now Digital Limited (GCap Media plc) 72.5%
Sabras Sound Ltd 20%
Chrysalis Radio Limited (Chrysalis Group plc) 7.5%

Now Digital (East Midlands) Limited is proposing to provide eight local digital sound programme services, in addition to BBC Radio Derby, as follows:

Format description	Service name	Provider
Contemporary chart hits	Ram FM	GCap Media plc
Classic hits	Classic Gold 945	GCap Media Plc
Modern rock	Xfm	GCap Media plc
Adult contemporary	Heart 106	Chrysalis Group plc
Dance and rhythmic hits	Galaxy	Chrysalis Group plc
Easy listening	Smooth Radio	GMG Radio Holdings Limited
Adult contemporary music station	Peak FM	Grand Central Broadcasting Limited
Religious	UCB UK	UCB Limited

Ofcom estimates that this licence could achieve coverage of an area with an adult (aged 15+) population of around 846,500.

The licence will be issued for a twelve year period. NOWdigital (East Midlands) Limited is committed to launching its service by July 2008.

Ofcom will publish a statement setting out the key determining factors for the award of this licence shortly.

Ends.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. DAB radio multiplexes carry a number of stereo and/or mono radio channels, as well as multimedia services such as text and data.

2. Today's licence is part of a wider licensing process which will lead to a significant expansion in local and national DAB radio services over the next three years. Further details can be found within Ofcom's 'Future licensing of DAB digital radio' Statement at: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/dab/statement/.

Back to top