The Stage

C4 stakes claim in digital radio station

Published Tuesday 8 March 2005 at 14:00 by Liz Thomas

In its first foray into radio, Channel 4 is to acquire a majority stake in speech-only digital station Oneword.

The channel has agreed to buy a 51% share in it from UBC media, the largest independent radio production company in the UK and also owner of Classic Gold.

Oneword will not have to use the broadcaster’s name. Its existing remit, which includes book readings, serialisations and play performances, is unlikely to be altered in the short term.

C4 chief executive Andy Duncan said: “Oneword is an award-winning radio station performing strongly in a growing industry. We have no plans to rebrand Oneword or develop existing C4 formats for broadcast on radio at present.

“As we move towards a fully digital and converged world, we are actively exploring opportunities that exist across all digital platforms and UBC Media will be an invaluable partner to help us further explore the radio sector.”

Talks between UBC and the government-owned broadcaster were first announced last August when the companies launched a six-week consultation process talking to media regulator, Ofcom, and a number of independent producers.

The move comes after broadcasting watchdog Ofcom ruled out any immediate direct public funding despite C4’s fears it would face an £100 million annual shortfall by 2009 because of the cost of digital switchover. The regulator’s report said it should develop further its proposals for self-help, including cost-savings, and value creation through new commercial ventures and alliances.

• The Optimistic Network, the broadcaster co-founded by former Channel 4 executive David Brook, has poached former Big Breakfast producer Dan Whitehead from independent producer Endemol. He will be leading the new entertainment development team alongside commissioning editor Simon Willis. Carolyn Maze, a leading executive at interactive television company Static 2358 is also joining the organisation as director of business affairs.