Radio Authority awards local digital multiplex licence for Stoke-on-Trent

27/03

7 February 2003

Radio Authority awards local digital multiplex licence for Stoke-on-Trent

The Radio Authority announced today (7 February) that it has decided, after considering the proposals submitted by the sole applicant for the local digital multiplex service licence for the Stoke-on-Trent area, to award the licence to:

TWG EMAP DIGITAL LTD. - The Wireless Group plc, 18 Hatfields, London, SE1 8DJ (contact: Kelvin MacKenzie, 020 7959 7851)

The shareholders in TWG Emap Digital Ltd. are:

The Wireless Group plc 70.0%
Emap Digital Radio Ltd. 30.0%

The applicant is proposing to broadcast the following programme services, in addition to BBC Radio Stoke:

Adult contemporary	Signal 1 (provider: The Wireless Group plc)
Classic hits/gold	Signal 2 (provider: The Wireless Group plc)
Dance	Kiss (provider: Emap Performance Ltd.)
Non-stop pop	Smash Hits (provider: Emap Performance Ltd.)
Modern rock	The Storm (provider: GWR Group plc)
and, once providers are identified:
Easy listening (or alternative format)	Provider: to be confirmed
Country (or alternative format)	Provider: to be confirmed

TWG Emap Digital proposes to commence its service in April 2004. The licence will run initially for a period of twelve years from the commencement of broadcasting.

The Authority will shortly be publishing its assessment of TWG Emap Digital's application for the Stoke-on-Trent licence.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

The services will be transmitted on the VHF band III frequency block 12D (centre frequency: 229.072 MHz).
Digital radio is a new transmission system which provides the listener with bundles (called multiplexes) of audio services to new portable and vehicle receivers, and personal computers, with unprecedentedly clear reception. Being digital, it can also broadcast data services which may or may not be related to the radio programmes; e.g. traffic information, electronic publishing, and internet-type information.
The Authority has already awarded a national digital radio multiplex licence, to Digital One Ltd. whose services are also available in this local area.
If an existing local radio station successfully secures a place on a local digital multiplex covering at least 25% of its area's population, it can apply to have its analogue licence renewed for a further eight years.
The Radio Authority is responsible for licensing and regulating Independent Radio in accordance with the statutory requirements of the Broadcasting Acts 1990 and 1996. It plans frequencies, awards licences, regulates programming and advertising, and plays an active role in the discussion and formulation of policies which affect the Independent Radio industry and its listeners.

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