Panjab Radio challenges Touch for Coventry

Two declarations of intent have been made to Ofcom to apply for the local FM licence for Coventry, currently held by Quidem.

Quidem broadcasts much of the Touch FM network from Coventry, but now anyone can apply to run the licence after Panjab Radio Coventry Ltd showed an interest in bidding.

Ofcom said: “In line with our published relicensing procedures, we are therefore publishing a full re-advertisement for the Coventry licence. This will be open to all applicants – i.e. not limited to those companies who have previously submitted a ‘declaration of intent’ to apply for this licence.”

Former GCap Media Operations Director Steve Orchard took control of the station when his company, Quidem, bought a group of stations in the Midlands from CN Group. He told RadioToday.co.uk: “When Quidem acquired Touch FM in June 2009, it was in a poor state. Coventry’s second commercial radio licence had over the years proved somewhat difficult. Since then Quidem has gone about building the quality and quantity of local content, providing a pro-active and supportive presence in the local community, and we have substantially grown our sales revenues so that 96.2 Touch FM is a strong viable business within the context of the Quidem portfolio.”

“To receive the accolade of “2011 Commercial Radio Station of the Year” in the Arqiva award small station category demonstrated just how much progress 96.2 Touch FM has made in the last few years. Everyone at the radio station is looking forward to the opportunity that the Ofcom re-licence process presents to tell our story and outline our plans for continuing future success.”

Panjab Radio broadcasts on Sky and on DAB Digital Radio in the West Midlands, West Yorkshire, London and North East England – from studios in Hayes, Middlesex.

Touch FM originally launched as Radio Harmony in 1990 on 102.6 FM. In 1995, it rebranded as Kix 96 and changed frequency to 96.2 FM.