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13|12|07

Ofcom awards new local digital radio multiplex licence for North Yorkshire

Ofcom today announces the award of the new local Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) radio multiplex licence for North Yorkshire.

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 12 September 2007, Ofcom received one application for the North Yorkshire licence. After giving careful consideration to the application submitted, the Ofcom Radio Licensing Committee has decided to award the licence to:

MuxCo North Yorkshire Limited
96a Curtain Road, London EC2A 3AA
Contact: Gregory Watson, Tel: 07917 413700, Email: gregory@muxco.com

The shareholders of MuxCo North Yorkshire Ltd. are as follows:

The Local Radio Company plc 60%
MuxCo Limited 40%

MuxCo North Yorkshire Limited is proposing to provide six local digital sound programme services as follows:

Format description	Service name	Provider
Local Full Service	Minster FM	The Local Radio Company plc
Local Full Service	Stray FM	The Local Radio Company plc
Local Full Service	Yorkshire Coast Radio	The Local Radio Company plc
Local Full Service	Fresh Radio	Laser Broadcasting Limited
Easy Listening	Easy Radio	Easy Radio Limited
Traffic and Travel	Traffic Radio	Highways Agency

MuxCo North Yorkshire Limited also proposes to provide "a wide selection of podcasts provided by a range of companies".

Ofcom estimates that this licence could achieve coverage of an area with an adult (aged 15+) population of around 695,000.

The licence will be issued for a twelve year period. MuxCo North Yorkshire is committed to launching five of its proposed services by 30 June 2009. The sixth service, Yorkshire Coast Radio, will begin broadcasting within two years of the launch of the multiplex.

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/.

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