Two bidders have sent their bids in to Ofcom for D2, the second national commercial network, and according to Radio Today, DAB ‘just got exciting’.
Sound Digital (Bauer, UTV and Arqiva) are proposing a lineup of 15 stations, including speech stations and a DAB+ channel.
YouGov research conducted for Sound Digital with a nat rep sample of 4,000 showed that:
86% were interested in at least one station and 79% would listen to at least one
30% would listen to talkRADIO
52% say the lineup is good for UK radio
33% said the new stations would change their behaviour (21% buy a DAB for car or home: 17% car)
Listen2Digital (Orion and Babcock) propose 18 stations, with 4 simulcast on DAB+.
Radio Today’s comparison of the bids is here – see station lineup below.
Ofcom is due to make a decision on the winner of the licence in April.
Sound Digital Limited’s line-up is:
talkRADIO (news, current affairs and general speech)-UTV Media (GB) Limited
talkSPORT 2 (live sport and sports talk)-UTV Media (GB) Limited
talkBUSINESS (business and finance)-UTV Media (GB) Limited
Virgin Radio (rock and pop music)-UTV Media (GB) Limited
Kisstory (old skool dance tunes and anthems)-Bauer Radio Limited
Magic Mellow (relaxing and melodic music)-Bauer Radio Limited
Heat Radio (pop music, celebrity gossip and entertainment)-Bauer Radio Limited
Planet Rock (classic rock music)-Bauer Radio Limited
Absolute 80s (80s music)-Bauer Radio Limited
Sunrise Radio (Asian music and speech)-Sunrise Radio (London) Limited
British Muslim Radio (Asian music and speech, with elements of Islamic content)-Asian Sound Radio Limited
UCB Inspirational (Christian music)-United Christian Broadcasters Limited
Premier Christian Radio (Christian music and speech)-Premier Christian Media Trust
Jazz FM (non-mainstream music)-Jazz FM Investments Limited
DAB+ channel TBC
Listen2Digital’s line-up is:
GEM (female adult contemporary)-Orion Media
Fun Kids (children’s radio)-Children’s Radio UK
TBC (contemporary hits)-Confidential
TBC (food)-USP/Confidential
TBC (jazz)-Confidential
Wireless (oldies)-Age UK
Nation (male adult contemporary)-Town & Country Broadcasting
Sabras (contemporary Asian)-Sabras Sound
Panjab Radio (Asian specialist)-Panjab Radio
TBC (modern rock)-Confidential
Share Radio (money)-Share Radio
Premier Gospel (Christian Gospel)-Premier Christian Communications
Premier Radio (Christian Inspirational)-Premier Christian Communications
Sport Radio (sports)-Confidential
RTÉ Radio 1 (Irish community)-RTÉ
Gaydio (LGBT community)-Gaydio Digital
Chris Country (country music)-Chris Country Broadcasting
Upload Radio (special programmes and events)-Folder Media
DAB+ RTE, Gaydio, Country and Upload