CAP Clean Air

RNS Number:4472R
Capital Radio PLC
14 February 2002


                               CAPITAL RADIO PLC


Capital Radio and UBC Media Group create joint venture to develop digital radio
data services in UK

                                                       Thursday 14 February 2002


Capital Radio plc ("Capital") and UBC Media Group plc ("UBC") today announce the
formation of a joint venture to develop digital radio data services in the UK.

Capital owns regional and local digital radio licences and UBC owns data
capacity on the digital multiplexes owned by the MXR consortium. Under the terms
of the new venture, Capital and UBC will pool and jointly manage their
respective digital data capacity, with each company retaining ownership and
control of its audio capacity. The new venture will be 70% owned by Capital, and
30% owned by UBC.

The joint venture will enable the companies to create a quasi-national data
service transmitting always-on, broadband multimedia content to every major
metropolitan area in England and Wales, reaching a population of 27 million
adults. This service could be used to transmit pictures, video, graphics,
information about the tracks being played and other content to portable digital
devices.

As part of the deal, Electronic Programme Guide software developed by Unique
Interactive, a subsidiary of UBC, will be licensed for use on all Capital and
MXR multiplexes.


David Mansfield, Chief Executive of Capital Radio said

"Our aim is to establish digital radio as a mainstream medium in the UK. We
strongly believe that innovative content will help drive the awareness and
take-up of digital radio and help achieve this objective".


Simon Cole, CEO of UBC said

"We expect to see some transforming developments for digital radio in 2002. The
combination of Capital's marketing and programming expertise, together with our
EPG software and regional spectrum, will create a powerful company in the
rapidly emerging market for interactive applications on future digital services.
We are thrilled to be working together".



Notes to Editors


1.   Digital radio multiplexes are licensed by the Radio Authority and transmit
digital signals to a specific geographical area.   Up to 20% of the capacity on
each multiplex can be used for data services.

2.   MXR is a consortium including Capital Radio, UBC Media, Soul Media
(Choice), Chrysalis Radio and jazz fm, created to bid for regional digital radio
multiplexes.

3.   The Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) is software that will give the digital
radio user details of programme services available and in depth schedule
information including text, pictures and graphics.

4.   The joint venture will be managed by a Board of five directors, three from
Capital Radio and two from UBC.



Enquiries:


Capital Radio plc

David Mansfield                                       +44 20 7766 6240

Dorothy Colling                                       +44 20 7766 6194

James Leviton (Finsbury Group)                        +44 20 7251 3801

UBC Media Group plc

Simon Cole                                            +44 20 7453 1600

Jane Wilson (Impact Consultancy)                      +44 20 7479 4770



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