UBC Media Group, owners of the Classic Gold Digital network has signed an exclusive 3 year deal with BSkyB to distribute its Sky News Radio output to radio stations throughout the UK.
UBC pioneered ?Barter syndication? as a means of delivering high quality content to commercial radio, and is now the largest independent network airtime sales point to media agencies. Bringing together UBC?s extensive expertise and unrivalled contacts in this area and Sky News? excellence and innovation in news programming we anticipate will result in a rapid expansion of the Sky News Radio service over the contract period.
Sky News Radio will be sold by UBC?s Commercial Division using the same model as the Entertainment News and Network Drive networks. This means that UBC?s syndicated programme strands are provided to commercial radio groups in exchange for airtime, creating a one-stop national advertising opportunity within the Sky News Radio bulletins. UBC currently supplies syndicated services to over 250 commercial radio stations within the UK, including EMAP Radio, Chrysalis, Guardian Media Group and UKRD. In addition UBC is already selling the Network News package which consists of Chrysalis and Talksport who currently take the Sky News Radio service.
The Sky News Radio service will offer advertisers the opportunity to tap into one of the radio industry?s most dynamic network packages. With the addition of Sky News to the network offering UBC anticipate rapid expansion, and are already in detailed discussions with a number of radio groups. UBC are delighted to announce today that a new customer, the UKRD Group, has already signed up to the Sky News service. This deal will extend the Geographical coverage of UBC?s Network News service and deliver a weekly reach in excess of 5.5 million adults.
Simon Cole, Chief Executive of UBC said:
“Success in the increasingly fragmented digital radio future is about strong brands that cut through and network packages that give advertisers easy access to audiences with critical mass. We have shown through our success with the Traffic and Travel network just how compelling this model is. I am delighted now that we have now reached agreement with BSkyB to create this fantastic new opportunity for advertisers and radio stations alike. Sky News with its reputation for outstanding, timely news coverage and its market leading position in terms of technology makes the service very compelling.”
John Quinn, Commercial Director at UBC commented:
?This is a great deal which I believe will result in a big increase in the number of radio stations that make up our network. The decision taken by UKRD is evidence of the demand for the offering. Sky News is a premium news product and combined with UBC?s sales expertise, this will be a very attractive proposition to the radio groups.?
Commenting on the deal, John Ryley, Head of Sky News, said: “This is ideal for UBC?s client stations who can tap into the extensive newsgathering resources of Sky News and its Radio division.”