Two bidders for new national network

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