UKRD Group has confirmed to Radio Today that they have acquired the radio licence covering the Yorkshire Dales and currently operating as Fresh Radio.
It follows speculation earlier in the week when the existing owner scaled back operations.
It brings the number of licences that the group owns to 19 and will see Fresh move out of Skipton and into the studios of neighbouring station Stray FM in Harrogate. It’s understood the station will be rebranded as Stray within the next few weeks – and Stray’s editorial coverage area will be extended to include the old Fresh patch. UKRD say a local journalist will be recruited to fully cover the new enlarged Stray TSA and the Stray sales team will also be increased in size.
UKRD’s Chief Executive William Rogers told RadioToday.co.uk the enlarged station would create “great, locally focussed and relevant radio.”
He added: “We have been looking at this licence for some time and I am delighted that we have been able to come to a satisfactory agreement with the owners to acquire it.”
Managing Director of Stray FM, Sarah Barry said: “We are looking to build a strong locally relevant presence in the new part of the TSA and our whole team is really excited about the opportunity this presents us to grow our station and our business more generally.”
Roger Tempest, the previous owner of Fresh Radio told us: “I believe this will bring real benefits to both listeners and advertisers and I am delighted the station has found a home with UKRD.”
Posted on Friday, January 6th, 2012 at 4:21 pm by RadioToday UK