Capital Radio And UBC Team Up To Push Digital Radio

Capital Radio and UBC Media Group have announced the formation of a joint venture to develop digital radio data services in the UK.

Capital owns regional and local digital radio licences and UBC controls data capacity on the digital multiplexes owned by the MXR consortium. Under the terms of the new venture, Capital and UBC will pool and jointly manage their respective digital data capacity, with each company retaining ownership and control of its audio capacity. The new venture will be 70% owned by Capital, and 30% owned by UBC.

The joint venture will enable the companies to create a ‘quasi-national’ data service offering always-on, broadband multimedia content to every major metropolitan area in England and Wales, reaching a population of 27 million adults. This service can be used to transmit pictures, video, graphics and information about the tracks being played, along with other content to portable digital devices, the companies said.

As part of the deal, electronic programme guide (EPG) software developed by Unique Interactive, a subsidiary of UBC, will be licensed for use on all Capital and MXR multiplexes.

David Mansfield, Chief Executive of Capital Radio said: “Our aim is to establish digital radio as a mainstream medium in the UK. We strongly believe that innovative content will help drive the awareness and take-up of digital radio and help achieve this objective”.

Simon Cole, CEO of UBC, says he is expecting to see some transforming developments for digital radio in 2002.

Subscribers to MediaTel Insight can access more national and international media analysis, forecasts and news. For subscription details please visit the site.