Channel 4, the government-owned UK broadcaster, has signed a deal with UBC Media to explore the development of a digital talk radio station. UBC is the largest independent radio production company in the UK.
The companies will begin a six week consultation process to discuss their plans with Ofcom and independent producers. Channel 4 expect to outsource much of the programming to production houses.
If it goes ahead, the station would launch next spring, and half would be owned by UBC. The station, currently imaginatively called Channel 4 Radio, would be broadcast on the Oneword Radio license, held by UBC.
UBC recently acquired radio production company Smooth Operations, for UK£1.8 million (€2.68 million).