South Wales mediumwave station Valleys Radio is to be sold or shut-down within the next four weeks if a buyer cannot be found, RadioToday.co.uk can reveal.
Staff were informed of Valleys Radio’s uncertain future at a meeting held earlier today.
Owners UTV Radio had written to Ofcom on two previous occasions requesting that Valleys Radio be allowed to co-locate to premises in Swansea shared by South Wales sister stations The Wave and Swansea Sound. Unfortunately, permission to co-locate was rejected by Ofcom.
Calum Macaulay, UTV Radio (GB), Director of Local Radio, said: “In addition to co-location, we have explored every possible alternative that would have kept Valleys Radio open as a profitable station and within the UTV Radio group.
“We have sought a buyer for the station but as yet have been unable to conclude a deal. We are obviously keen to try to ensure that the Valleys continues to have its own local radio station and therefore we have agreed a further month’s extension on our lease in order to give us more time to find a buyer, allowing the station to be sold as a going concern.
“However, if we are unable to find a buyer within that time, Valleys Radio will close and the license will be handed back to Ofcom. UTV Radio (GB) will do all it can to relocate permanent members of staff to alternative positions within the group.
“The inability of Valleys Radio to make a profit does not reflect the professionalism, hard work, commitment and dedication the station’s staff have shown during what have been trying times.”
UTV recently closed Talk 107 in Edinburgh for the same reasons.
