It is understood that discussions between 4Digital and the backers of the Digital One DAB multiplex, Global/GCap Media and Arqiva, are focused on the possible creation of a single company that would oversee both Digital One and 4Digital.
As 4Digital has yet to exchange contracts with Arqiva for the provision of masts and transmitters, industry observers suggest the delay is due to 4Digital trying to negotiate down the cost.
4Digital might also look to cut costs by securing a deal to place its transmitters on existing Digital One masts.
According to one executive familiar with 4 Digital's plans, Schwarz is "probably trying to create one company that operates both multiplexes by putting the 4Digital masts on D1's transmitters".
Clive Dickens, programme and operations director of Absolute Radio, which is in the process of trying to acquire Virgin Radio, one of the Digital One tenants, said: "Channel 4 has funding problems coming in the future, which it outlined during the [recent] PSB review discussions.
"The new radio business will be seen by the board as only accelerating the funding crisis. It has to cooperate with people who are willing to share the burden."
4Digital's bid to cut costs is likely to take months to conclude and could stretch into the early part of 2009.
A digital radio executive said: "Digital One already has the licence, the frequency, the transmitter network and the space. If the second multiplex isn't ready by the time the Channel 4 stations are scheduled to launch, 4Digital could launch them on D1 while it was waiting."
Having delayed two consecutive board meetings, the 4Digital board is due to meet next week.
Meanwhile, headhunters are in the process of approaching figures in senior positions about becoming the outfit's chief executive.
As 4Digital has yet to exchange contracts with Arqiva for the provision of masts and transmitters, industry observers suggest the delay is due to 4Digital trying to negotiate down the cost.
4Digital might also look to cut costs by securing a deal to place its transmitters on existing Digital One masts.
According to one executive familiar with 4 Digital's plans, Schwarz is "probably trying to create one company that operates both multiplexes by putting the 4Digital masts on D1's transmitters".
Clive Dickens, programme and operations director of Absolute Radio, which is in the process of trying to acquire Virgin Radio, one of the Digital One tenants, said: "Channel 4 has funding problems coming in the future, which it outlined during the [recent] PSB review discussions.
"The new radio business will be seen by the board as only accelerating the funding crisis. It has to cooperate with people who are willing to share the burden."
4Digital's bid to cut costs is likely to take months to conclude and could stretch into the early part of 2009.
A digital radio executive said: "Digital One already has the licence, the frequency, the transmitter network and the space. If the second multiplex isn't ready by the time the Channel 4 stations are scheduled to launch, 4Digital could launch them on D1 while it was waiting."
Having delayed two consecutive board meetings, the 4Digital board is due to meet next week.
Meanwhile, headhunters are in the process of approaching figures in senior positions about becoming the outfit's chief executive.
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