GCAP granted DAB licence

The U.K.'s Office of Communications said Tuesday that it has awarded new local Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) radio multiplex licence to cover Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire.


This is the first award of a number of new local radio multiplex licences planned to develop DAB coverage for services in those parts of the country not already served. This licensing process will lead to a significant expansion in digital radio services throughout the U.K.


By the closing date of Mar. 28, 2007, Ofcom received two applications for the Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire licence. After giving careful consideration to each of the applications submitted, the Ofcom Radio Licensing Committee has decided to award the licence to: NOWdigital Ltd. GCap Media

NOWdigital Ltd. is wholly-owned by GCap Media plc. NOWdigital is proposing to provide eight local digital sound programme services, in addition to BBC Three Counties Radio.

Ofcom estimates that this licence could achieve coverage of an area with an adult (aged 15+) population of around 1,829,000.

The licence will be issued for a twelve year period. Ofcom expects NOWdigital to begin broadcasting at the earliest opportunity and no later than two years from this award date.

Ofcom will publish a statement setting out the key determining factors for the award of this licence shortly.

totalcontentandmedia.com, 13 June 2007