It will bring the number of stations Emap broadcasts on Freeview to six, adding Magic, Q and The Hits to Kiss, Kerrang! and Smash Hits. The new stations launch on July 1.
Q is a new format for Emap and will reflect the music values of its sister magazine title, the biggest-selling music monthly in the country. The station will target 22- to 44-year-olds, and will broadcast artists including Otis Redding, Coldplay and Eminem.
The Hits is an extension of Emap's music television channel and will be aimed at a 15- to 34-year-old audience, broadcasting from Manchester. Magic is a national version of the London-based Magic FM, familiar to those who travel in mini-cabs late at night. Its easy-listening formula will include artists such as Steve Wonder, Norah Jones and the Fat Larry Band.
Tim Schoonmaker, chief executive of Emap Performance, said: "Freeview is demonstrating that the way people listen to the radio is changing. It is becoming clear that in the digital world consumers want to listen to the radio wherever and whenever suits them best -- whether it is delivered via their television, their radio, their computer or their mobile phone.
"We're very excited to have six brand new national radio stations alongside the BBC on this rapidly growing platform."
Last month, Emap's Kiss, Kerrang! and Smash Hits were among the first digital radio stations to be measured by Rajar. Smash Hits had 759,000 listeners; Kerrang! had 771,000 listeners; while 932,000 dance-music fans tuned in to Kiss.
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