Dinenage is best-known as the presenter of Meridian's daily regional news programme 'Meridian Tonight'. He began his broadcasting career in 1964 with Southern Television and has appeared many times on radio. He currently has his own Sunday morning radio show on Ocean FM.
The licence covers an area containing around 1.25m adults and covering most parts of south Hampshire, east Dorset and the Isle of Wight, and the south-western corner of West Sussex.
The bid is part of The Wireless Group's strategy of developing network of local speech-radio stations across the UK. It was boosted by winning the new Edinburgh FM licence with a talk format in December, and is preparing to submit its bid for the new Manchester FM licence before the February 9 deadline.
Calum Macaulay, The Wireless Group's business development director, said: "We are delighted to have Fred on board. He has an unrivalled knowledge of the area and shares our passion for speech-based radio."
"Fred also understands media and broadcasting inside out and will be crucial in the shaping of our proposals, as well as having an ongoing role if allTALK FM is awarded the licence."
Dinenage said: "I'm delighted to be involved with this application alongside The Wireless Group, which has a commitment and an unrivaled track record in speech radio.
"I firmly believe people in the area need and will welcome a new dynamic speech radio station that not only broadens the range of commercial radio services available to them but also provides listeners with a new platform on which to discuss the issues that affect them.
"Given the diversity of opinion and interests within the area, I'm sure there will be no shortage of entertaining and compelling radio.”
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