Talk 107 and Lakeland Radio are just two of the 29 new stations which have signed up to use the services of Sky News Radio via a syndicated package from UBC Media. All UTV Radio and CN Radio stations will continue to use IRN, but take additional advantage of reports and bulletins from Sky.
The three year deal will see stations give UBC commercial airtime in exchange for the service, which it then sells, to national advertisers. These deals increase the impacts UBC will be able to offer on its Network News package by 35%. The company expects to see
the full benefit in financial year 2007/8.
Since launching the airtime package supplying the Sky News Radio service only five months ago, three radio groups have come on board, together totaling 57 radio stations. Today's deal will see a further 29 stations receiving the service.
Simon Cole, CEO of UBC Media commented:
''I am delighted that UBC has secured these contracts from UTV and CN Radio. As anticipated the premium service provided by Sky News Radio is proving hugely popular. Trading in radio airtime remains tough and unpredictable, with the last two months of 2006 particularly difficult. The importance of these new stations is that it will allow UBC to build its commercial business in this challenging marketplace and show growth in 2007/8.'
Andy Ivy, Editor of Sky News Radio said:
'Sky News Radio has built up a strong track record. Our partnership with UBC Media has helped us bring the service to a greater sector of the radio industry'.
Scott Taunton, Managing Director of UTV Radio (GB) said:
'We were already taking our news service for talkSPORT from Sky and it made sense to align all our news provision into one supplier to cover our ILR requirements as well. We have enjoyed working with IRN and they have provided a terrific service for us. Our decision to move our news provision is purely a commercial one and we will continue to do significant business with IRN in other areas. However we look forward now to developing our relationship with Sky and UBC.'
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