The Stage

C4 set to launch digital radio stations fronted by TV talent

Published Tuesday 24 January 2006 at 10:55 by Liz Thomas

Channel 4 is planning to launch a number of speech and music radio stations broadcasting shows hosted by its screen talent, in a bid to challenge the BBC’s dominance of the market.

The commercially funded broadcaster intends to lead a consortium to bid for a new national digital licence, which media regulator Ofcom will advertise later this year. Chief executive Andy Duncan admitted that Channel 4 had begun discussions with a number of potential partners from both within and outside the industry and has hired Nathalie Schwarz, former strategy and development director at Capital Radio, to help lead the plans. If the bid for the new licence is successful there will be space for as many as eight new stations, some of which would carry the broadcaster’s brand.

Duncan said: “Radio could be a perfect fit with our digital strategy. Our aim is to contribute something new to the radio mix by offering a public service alternative to the BBC in genres like entertainment, comedy, news, current affairs, lifestyle and music. I’m convinced our bid for the DAB licence, if successful, will be a very positive development for the industry.”

He added that, with the BBC currently attracting a 56% share of all radio listening, the move could both boost the commercial sector and provide public service competition for the Corporation.

The broadcaster hopes to be able to offer outlets for original material as well as spin-off opportunities from its television programmes. Duncan added that while the new venture would use its existing stars such as Jon Snow, he was also keen to bring new talent to the area. Last year it bought a 51% stake in digital radio station OneWord and has begun working on programming for it.

During the past two years, Channel 4 has enjoyed increased commercial success pulling ratings and advertising revenue with popular shows such as Big Brother, Jamie’s School Dinners and Desperate Housewives. It has begun to invest across the broadcasting industry with new digital television stations, podcasting, plus projects online and for mobiles.