RNS Number:5959S
Chrysalis Group PLC
17 October 2000


                      CHRYSALIS GROUP PLC

                         FORD UK BACKS
                       DIGITAL RADIO BID

The MXR consortium, as part of its bidding for the current
round of UK regional digital radio licences, is delighted to
announce the inclusion of Ford UK as a founding shareholder
in the company.

MXR's groundbreaking agreement with Ford ensures that
Britain's market-leading car company is involved in the
development of digital radio.

Speaking on behalf of Ford UK, Chairman and Managing
Director Ian McAllister said  'As a consumer-focused
company, Ford actively pursues affordable technologies it
believes can deliver practical benefits to its customers.
Digital radio is one such technology that, in the years
ahead, could provide Ford customers with greater
accessibility to a wealth of entertainment and information
whilst in their vehicles.  To this end, As part of the MXR
consortium, Ford intends to fit digital radios as original
equipment in Ford new cars sold in the UK by 2004, and to
promote digital radio upgrade availability in its authorised
dealerships, subject to the technology meeting the Company's
standards in terms of quality, affordability and market
demand.'

Phil Riley, Chairman of the MXR consortium said 'This
represents the single biggest positive step for the uptake
of digital radio in the UK (and perhaps more widely in
Europe), and MXR is committed to making its partnership with
Ford work for the success of digital radio as a whole across
the UK.'

This announcement can only strengthen the already compelling
proposal that broadcast shareholders Chrysalis Radio,
Capital Radio plc, Jazz FM, Guardian Media Group and Soul
Media and data partner shareholders UBC and Psion have to
offer regional digital radio listeners.

MXR is submitting its first bid in this round of licences,
for the North East region, today (Tuesday 17th October). The
company has also announced the full line-up of services on
its proposed multiplex, which include:

Fun  - For the first time in the UK - a dedicated children's radio station
Urban  Flava - The Beat on the streets - hot R&B, urban  and hip-hop
Heart - The North East's best music mix
Jazz  - From smooth jazz to standards - with a pinch of soul and blues
The  Arrow - Adult rock radio - with classic songs from  the legends of rock
Smooth  - Melodic, memorable, tuneful - mature music  for  a mature audience
Digital  News Network - another first - rolling  local  news for the North East
Galaxy  - The North East's vibrant mix of dance and rhythmic music
Century - the North East's premier talk/music mix station


For further information please contact:

Jo Milloy, Chrysalis Radio Press Office
Tel: 0207 470 1028

John Gardiner, Ford UK Press Office
Tel: 01277 253265

Mark Edwards
Buchanan Communications
Tel: 020 7466 5000


MXR logo and photograph of Phil Riley (Chrysalis Radio),
Sally Oldham (Capital Radio), Simon Cole (UBC Media) with a
Ford Galaxy available via ISDN


Editor's Notes

1)   Many of the Local Digital Radio multiplex licences
  covering the same areas as the regional licences listed
  above have already been awarded. Full details of all awards
  can be obtained from the Radio Authority.
2)   Digital radio is a new transmission system that
  provides the listener with bundles (multiplexes) of audio
  services to new portable radios, in-car receivers and
  personal computers, with unprecendently clear reception.
  Being digital, it can also broadcast data services, which
  may or may not be related to the radio programming. As such,
  digital radio will provide an excellent opportunity to both
  enhance the quality of existing radio services and introduce
  new services and formats across the UK.
3)   The Radio Authority will make the licence award by
  reference to the criteria laid down in section 51 of the
  1996 Broadcasting Act. This includes, inter alia, the
  diversity of appeal of the proposed services on the
  multiplexes, as well as the applicant being sufficiently
  resourced to deliver the proposals.
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