Re Agreement
October 17 2000 - 3:00AM
UK Regulatory
RNS Number:5962S
Jazz FM PLC
17 October 2000
MXR CONSORTIUM BACKED BY FORD UK
The MXR consortium, consisting of jazz fm, Chrysalis Radio,
Capital Radio, Guardian Media Group and Soul Media, together
with their data partner shareholders UBC and Psion, as part
of its bidding for the current round of UK regional digital
radio licences, is delighted to announce the inclusion of
Ford of Britain as a founding shareholder in the company.
Richard Wheatly, Chief Executive, said: "This announcement
can only strengthen the already compelling proposal that the
existing consortium have to offer regional digital radio
listeners."
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 of Britain, 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."
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:
Richard Wheatly
Tel: 020 7706 4100
Notes to Editors:
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 unprecedently 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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