Ofcom awards new local digital radio multiplex licence for Northamptonshire

Ofcom today announces the award of the new local Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) radio multiplex licence for Northamptonshire.

This is one of a number of new local radio multiplex licences planned to develop DAB coverage for services in those parts of the country not already served. This licensing process will lead to a significant expansion in digital radio services throughout the UK.

By the closing date of 3 July 2007, Ofcom received two applications for the Northamptonshire licence. After giving careful consideration to the applications submitted, the Ofcom Radio Licensing Committee has decided to award the licence to:

Now Digital Limited
30 Leicester Square, London WC2H 7LA
Contact: Andy Causby, Tel: 020 7054 8000, Email: andy.causby@gcapmedia.com

NOWdigital Limited is proposing to provide nine local digital sound programme services, in addition to BBC Radio Northampton as follows:

Format description	Service name	Provider
Contemporary and Chart	Northants 96	GCap Media plc
Gold	Gold	GCap Media plc
Modern Rock	XFM	GCap Media plc
Adult Contemporary and Classic Hits	Connect FM	Forward Media Limited
Adult Contemporary	To be confirmed	To be confirmed
Religious	UCB UK	United Christian Broadcasters Ltd
Variety pop & rock	Jack FM	Absolute Radio International Ltd.
Local Traffic and Travel	Traffic Radio	Highways Agency
Asian	Sabras Radio	Sabras Sound Ltd

Ofcom estimates that this licence could achieve coverage of an area with an adult (aged 15+) population of around 500,000.

The licence will be issued for a twelve year period. NOWdigital Limited is committed to launching its service by September 2008.

Ofcom will publish a statement setting out the key determining factors for the award of this licence shortly.

Ends.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. DAB radio multiplexes carry a number of stereo and/or mono radio channels, as well as multimedia services such as text and data.

2. Today's licence is part of a wider licensing process which will lead to a significant expansion in local and national DAB radio services over the next three years. Further details can be found within Ofcom's 'Future licensing of DAB digital radio' Statement at: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/dab/statement/