Two applications have been submitted to Ofcom to operate the local digital radio multiplex licence in Northamptonshire. The bidders are MuxCo Northamptonshire Ltd, owned by MuxCo and Forward Media, and Now Digital Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of GCap Media plc.
Both bidders proposes to commence services before the end of 2008 using a network of three transmitters.
This local radio multiplex will include capacity reserved for the transmission in digital form of BBC Radio Northampton. Both applicants propose to carry Northants 96, Classic Gold 1557, Connect FM, Jack FM, UCB, Xfm (or other youth rock service for MuxCo), Traffic Radio and an undisclosed Adult Contemporary service. The only differences are Now propose to carry Sabras Radio whilst MuxCo has reserved space for Easy Radio.
Gregory Watson from MuxCo said in his blog yesterday: "As always, we’re very pleased with the line-up and the fact we have a local shareholder in the form of Connect FM owner, Forward Media on board. Through all of our applications we’ve always tried to have local analogue operators on board, as it means they get some of the profit from the multiplex, which reduces the amount of money they have to pay out for the cost of the digital carriage. Often these stations are quite small businesses so it’s important that we can come up with affordable ways for them to broadcast on digital, otherwise they won’t be able to be there, which won’t make DAB as attractive to local listeners."
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