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Emap and Capital Radio have bolstered their presence on the digital

radio network after winning the three-way battle for London’s first

digital multiplex licence.

CE Digital, a joint venture between Emap and Capital, beat

SwitchDigital, the joint venture between Talk Radio, Ginger Media Group

and Clear Channel International, as well as MXR, which is owned by

Chrysalis, Border Television and the Daily Mail & General Trust. Earlier

this year, CE Digital scooped the Manchester and Birmingham local

licences.

Eight existing London commercial stations will broadcast on the

multiplex, as well as a new, digital-only adult music station, that will

be launched by Capital.

The eight existing stations that will be available are Capital FM,

Capital Gold, the Asian service, Sunrise, Xfm, Kiss 100, Magic, and LBC

and News Direct. Each will have its analogue licence renewed for a

further eight years.

Capital Gold and Sunrise in particular stand to benefit, as until now

they have been restricted to the AM frequency.

Despite the high cost of the new digital radio sets, Tim Schoonmaker,

the chief executive of Emap Radio, was confident that the quality of the

output would encourage adoption of the service.

’The strength of tried and tested brands such as 95.8 Capital FM, Magic,

Capital Gold, Kiss 100 and Xfm will drive the take-up of digital radios

in London,’ he said. ’They provide a foundation of quality services

which will give confidence in the new medium, and cross-promotion on

London’s favourite stations will help to establish digital radio

quickly.’

David Mansfield, Capital Radio’s group chief executive, said: ’I am

particularly pleased that the Radio Authority has taken a long-term view

by endorsing CE Digital as the consortium best placed to launch digital

radio in London.

If digital radio is to be successful it must be backed by companies with

stability and financial firepower.’

This week the Radio Authority announced that it was advertising the

second London digital multiplex licence, which is to be awarded next

spring.