Capital eyes Emap's Radio business

LONDON - Capital Radio Group chief executive David Mansfield has indicated that he would be interested in buying Emap's radio interests if they were put up for sale.

His comments follow speculation last month that Emap was looking to unload its radio operations as it concentrated on its core magazine publishing business.



Emap was said to have instigated a major review of its operations to identify its underperforming businesses. The review came on the heels of the finalisation of its retreat from the US market, which cost it dearly.



Emap's radio operations include dance music station KissFM and Piccadilly Radio in Manchester. Last year, they earned the company £100m and analysts value the group at between £500m and £550m.



A sale of its radio operations would leave it free to concentrate on building its successful magazine brands including FHM and Heat.



Capital's ambitions for the stations are currently restricted by media ownership rules. Capital already owns the maximum audience share one company can control with stations such as Xfm, Capital Radio and Capital Gold.



However, Capital is not the only interested buyer. It is thought that RTL Group and Lagardere of France are also interested in acquiring Emap's radio assets.



If Capital did want to take control of Emap Radio once media ownership rules are relaxed, it could take a minority stake in the division with an option to increase it once ownership rules are relaxed in a couple of years time.



Capital carried out this strategy recently when it took a stake in black music station Choice FM and agreed an option to buy the remaining stake of its parent company Tainside when ownership rules are relaxed.



In October, Emap denied there was any kind of review going on and that the company might be broken up.



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