Channel 4's radio bit has announced a new partnership with Universal Music UK which will see the major become a "strategic partner" on the TV network's bid to win a national digital radio multiplex.
As I'm pretty sure we've mentioned before, Channel 4 is planning to bid for the multiplex when OfCom advertise it later this year (assuming, of course, that they do - as far as I am aware GCap, owners of the existing national digital radio multiplex, are still trying to stop the regulator from making a second one available).
The exact nature of Universal's role in Channel 4's bid isn't clear, though it won't result in any kind of Universal radio station. Universal will help Channel 4 "identify new opportunities for music exploitation on digital platforms", whatever that means (though, to be fair, there's talk of involving some of Universal's artists in that process - which is a nice idea).
Confirming the partnership, Channel 4's Director Of Radio, Nathalie Schwarz, told reporters yesterday: "We have always said that music programming will form a key part of our plans and partnering with Universal Music is an enormous measure of support from the music industry. Digital technology offers the music industry some incredibly exciting opportunities but it needs to act now to embrace this change. We want to give control back to the people that matter, the artists and listeners - people with a passion for music - to create really groundbreaking music programming."
Universal UK top bloke Lucian Grainge added: "Channel 4 has asked us for input into the possibility that our artists could take a pro-active role in making and contributing to radio programming in future - to break the formula and communicate directly with their audiences. If we, as the No 1 music company in the UK., can be part of that conduit for the artists' community to get involved, it's an exciting prospect. We're delighted to be involved."