Catching up from our break …
Channel 4: Ofcom awarded the consortium led by the broadcaster the 12-year license to run a second national digital radio multiplex to 4 Digital, beating National Grid Wireless (see announcement). 4 Digital will broadcaster 10 linear stations on DAB, with a remit (much like that Channel 4 adheres to in TV) to be distinctive and will also add multimedia services including text and data, as well as podcasts. Other 4 Digital shareholders include Sky News Radio, Emap, UTV, Carphone Warehouse and UBC. 4 Digital aims to challenge the BBC’s dominance of UK radio.
ITV: ITV has extended its ITV Local web service, which had previously been trialled in the Meridian region, to other ITV regions. The service offers web-based on-demand news packages, catch-up bulletins, user-generated content gateways and more, backed by video and banner advertising.
BBC: Director of news Helen Boaden told the Future Of News conference: “We have plans