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UTV confirms its local radio review is complete

By | Published on Friday 15 January 2016

UTV

Media firm UTV has completed its review of its local radio stations in the UK, and seemingly won’t be selling any more off, having flogged its FM licence in Merseyside, previously used for Juice, to Global Radio, which its using it for a new Capital outpost.

UTV is also selling its TV business, of course, which means it needs to find itself a brand new name. Once that is above its door, the all-new company will be very much focusing on radio, looking to maximise the revenue potential of its twelve local stations in England and Wales, and its Irish local radio business, while also launching three new national channels in the UK: Talkradio, Talksport 2 and Virgin Radio.

Those stations will appear on the UK’s new second national digital radio network in which UTV is a partner. That ‘talk’ brand seems to be a high priority for the streamlined media company, with plans to grow its sports service internationally.

In a statement to investors, the firm said a key objective was “to consolidate Talksport’s position in the UK as the premier sports radio station, while leveraging its strong brand identity in the market to promote its new sister stations on D2”, and “to further develop Talksport International by expanding its geographical footprint, by broadening its broadcaster base, and by creating attractive packages for sponsors and advertisers as the appeal of the Premier League increases globally”.



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