Radio Hampshire in Southampton and Winchester has been acquired by internet station Play Radio, RadioToday.co.uk can exclusively reveal.
Play Radio told us the licences were bought at 5pm on Friday from the liquidators of Radio Hampshire Limited, and the company is promising a return for a local radio station for the area as soon as possible.
Play Radio UK currently operates 20 online and in-store radio stations from its base in West Sussex.
Business Development Director David Harber told RadioToday.co.uk: “Play Radio is currently in discussion with the regulator, Ofcom, to return a local radio service to the Hampshire cities as soon as possible and aims to provide a service which reflects the cultural and economic diversity of this major UK city.
“We are already in the process of ensuring that all advertising contracts are honoured and community promises are fulfilled”.
Southampton-born Programme Controller Lee Moulsdale says, “Our programming, sales and marketing teams have both a history and a range of experience in Southampton. We will be committed to the area and will reflect this in both our on and off air activities”.
Lee Moulsdale was the founder of the Max FM bid for the Southampton licence in 1998.
