Now Digital’s other multiplex licences include Wolverhampton, Shrewsbury & Telford; Bristol & Bath; Coventry; Southend & Chelmsford, and Bournemouth. This licence award takes Now Digital’s population coverage to 4.5 million.
GWR’s other digital interests include its 20% shareholding in The Digital Radio Group (London) Limited, the holder of the third London multiplex, due to be launched this winter. The Group also has a 63% shareholding in the national digital radio multiplex licensee, Digital One Limited.
The awarded multiplex will broadcast eight radio services, including the existing analogue services Gemini FM, Classic Gold Digital and BBC Radio Devon. The multiplex will serve 450,000 adults and is scheduled to launch in late Spring 2002.
Simon Ward, Director of New Media and Digital, said:
The award of the Exeter & Torbay multiplex to Now Digital underlines GWR’s commitment to local digital radio. The variety of services carried on Now Digital multiplexes will ensure that commercial radio caters for a wide range of tastes and interests, which in turn will underpin the success of digital radio.
