The Radio Licensing Committee of British telecommunications regulator Ofcom has awarded the second national DAB multiplex license to the 4 Digital Group.
The 4 Digital Group is led by Channel 4 and includes Emap, UTV, Sky News, Carphone Warehouse and UBC Media.
Under the terms of the 12-year license, 4 Digital Group has committed to launch eight national digital program services and a national podcast service by July 2008. The group will use 174 transmitters to provide coverage of an estimated 86.6 percent of the British adults. Two further national digital sound program services are promised by June 2009.
4 Digital Group also agreed to spend £4.5 million on general marketing of DAB in the first three years of its license period, along with more than £25 million to market the new programs.
