127/99 3 September 1999

The Radio Authority announced today (3 September) that, after considering the proposals submitted by the three applicants, it is offering the first of the new local digital multiplex service licences for the Greater London area to:

Commenting on the award of the licence, Sir Peter Gibbings, Chairman of the Authority, said:

"The award of this local digital multiplex licence, the only digital licence to be contested to date, has been an important one involving three strong and contrasting applicants. We are not always able to offer consolation to losers, but on this occasion I can confirm that we intend to advertise two more digital multiplex licences for Greater London. The second of these digital licences will be advertised next week.

"When we come to award this second licence, among the factors which the legislation requires us to consider we shall be looking at the extent to which each package of programme proposals, taken as a whole, would broaden choice in relation to services on the multiplex which we have licensed today. However, the Authority recognises that, especially within the more mainstream areas of popular programming, it may be in the best interests of listeners for some services on subsequent multiplexes in the capital to be broadly similar to, and competitive with, some of those which will be carried on the first London multiplex."

The licence is designed potentially to deliver digital radio programming and data services to an area with an adult (aged 15+) population of up to around 9.5 million, broadly corresponding to the coverage of existing Greater London local radio stations.

CE Digital is owned on a 50:50 basis by Capital Radio plc and Emap Radio Ltd. It is proposing to broadcast a total of nine programme services, each on a round-the-clock basis:

CE Digital proposes to commence its services in May 2000, using eight transmitters (Croydon, Alexandra Palace, Bluebell Hill, Reigate, Guildford, Zouches Farm, Hemel Hempstead and Kemsing) from the outset, which it estimates will provide outdoor coverage of 90.6% of the adult population of the Greater London 'primary protected area'.

The licence will run initially for a period of twelve years from the commencement of broadcasting. The annual licence fee payable will be £8,500.

The Authority will shortly be publishing its assessment of CE Digital's application for the Greater London licence.

1. The services will be transmitted on the VHF band III frequency block 12C (centre-frequency 227.360 MHz).
2. The application for the licence was considered according to factors specified in section 51 of the Broadcasting Act 1996, which are: the extent of coverage proposed, within the permitted maximum; the timetable by which this will be achieved; the ability of the applicant to establish the proposed service and maintain it throughout the licence period; the extent to which the proposed programme services will cater for the tastes and interests of listeners in the area; the broadening of local digital radio choice; local support for the applicant's proposals; and whether the applicant has been fair in contracting with the prospective providers of programme and data services on the multiplex.
3. The second Greater London licence is being advertised next week, with a closing date for applications of 11 January 2000. The Authority will consider the advertisement date of the third digital multiplex licence for London when the outcome of the second licence is known.
4. 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.
5. The Authority has already awarded a national digital radio multiplex licence, to Digital One Ltd., whose services will also be available in the Greater London area.
6. 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.