Emap Rolls Out New Digital Radio Stations On Freeview

Emap has announced plans to launch three new national digital radio stations on Freeview, in a move which underlines its commitment to the growth of the medium.

The Hits, Q and Magic will launch on the digital terrestrial platform on 1 July and will join Emap radio stablemates, Kiss, Kerrang! and Smash Hits, which launched nationally last year.

Last week, Kiss, Kerrang! and Smash Hits were among the first digital radio stations to have their audiences measured by RAJAR (see RAJAR Results Q1 2003 – Virgin Radio AM Continues To Slide). Dance music station Kiss saw its weekly reach rise to 2.4 million, while Smash Hits attracted 759,00 listeners and Kerrang! drew 771,000.

Emap claims the figures show there is now a significant audience for digital radio stations in the UK.

Emap Performance’s chief executive, Tim Schoonmaker, said: “Freeview is demonstrating that the way people listen to the radio is changing. It is becoming clear that in the digital world consumers want to listen to the radio wherever and whenever suits them best – whether it is delivered via their television, their radio, their computer or their mobile phone.”

Recent research from the RAB shows that radio listening via new technologies is on the increase, with almost 15% of adults tuning in via the TV during the third quarter of 2002, up from around 13% in the same period the previous year (see Feature: Radio Makes Waves With New Technology).

Emap: 01733 568 900 www.emap.co.uk

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