Newspaper reports that GCap was joining with BT and Arqiva in a bidding consortium are said by insiders to be wide of the mark. It is thought that these talks centred around GCap getting access to the second digital platform should Arqiva, formerly NTL Broadcast, succeed in a bid. Rival transmission company National Grid Wireless has already announced it is mounting a bid.
UBC Media already has a partnership with Channel 4 through its joint ownership of the Oneword literary station. It also owns the digital station Classic Gold.
Other partners in 4Radio's bid include Universal Music and IPC. Discussions have also been held with Sky, although Sky has yet to confirm that it is joining the consortium.
The option for a third consortium forming, possibly involving GCap, remains. However, GCap would only be allowed to take a minority stake as it is majority owner of Digital One, the existing multiplex.
Bidders have until the end of March 2007 to make submissions to Ofcom. One industry insider predicted that a third consortium would emerge: "But it will be the result of a fallout of people who don't get in on the first two.
"It might be one or any of BT, GCap and Arqiva, or remaining groups such as Emap or Chrysalis if they don't get what they want with anyone else."
4Radio sees the new multiplex as an opportunity to combine radio with mobile revenue generating applications by developing services around TV shows such as Big Brother.
4Radio woos UBC and UTV in multiplex bid
Channel 4's 4Radio is expected to sign up UBC Media and UTV Radio as partners in its bid for the second commercial radio multiplex and is believed to be in talks with the UK's biggest radio owner, GCap.
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