TalkSport owner UTV resigns from RadioCentre

LONDON - TalkSport owner UTV Media has resigned from commercial radio's trade body, RadioCentre, in opposition to Global Radio's influence on the group.

TalkSport owner UTV resigns from RadioCentre

UTV Media left the body - which houses the Radio Advertising Bureau among various other units - on 30 September.

A spokesman for UTV Media said the move was a result of UTV Media's "increasing concern" that RadioCentre had moved away from representing the interests of the wider commercial radio industry "to the point where its policy agenda is too heavily influenced by the interests of its largest member".

Instead of contributing to Radio Centre, UTV Media will instead commit what it termed "significant financial investment to promoting an agenda that is in the interests of the wider radio industry and those of the consumer in other ways".

Scott Taunton, managing director, UTV Media GB, said following the merger of GCap and Chrysalis, it was clear "the governance of the RadioCentre is no longer reflective of the wider industry interests" and this was an issue which, despite considerable effort, he has been unable rectify.

Taunton said he is genuinely disappointed to be standing down from the RadioCentre, "not least given the great work carried out by the many talented and dedicated staff I have worked with at the industry body since its inception".

RadioCentre said it represents the "vast majority" of commercial radio stations across the UK, with almost 300 member stations using its services. It added that "inevitably, the size and shape of our sector moves with changes across the industry and the entire sector is now in private hands with the exception of UTV".  

Andrew Harrison, chief executive of RadioCentre said:  "I would like to thank UTV for their contribution over the last few years and wish them well for the future."

It is not the first time TalkSport has been involved in controversy over radio industry bodies, UTV first took a seat on RadioCentre's board in May 2006 after threatening to withdraw from the organisation if it was not represented on the board.

UTV re-entered the Radio Advertising Bureau and Commercial Radio Companies Association in January 2006, five years after leaving the organisations.

Former TalkSport owner Kelvin MacKenzie initially withdrew the Wireless Group, as the group of stations were then called, from the industry bodies including the RAB in a dispute over the Rajar audience measurement system in 2001.

"Alongside national radio station TalkSport, UTV owns a number of local stations including Juice FM in Manchester and half of sales house First Radio Sales with The Local Radio Company."

Global Radio declined to comment.

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