Ofcom rejects UTV Radio relocation request

by Emma Barnett, mediaweek.co.uk 02-Dec-08, 16:05

LONDON - Ofcom has refused UTV Radio's request to relocate its South Wales station Valleys Radio to the Neath/Port Talbot area.

UTV proposed to house the station with its Welsh sister stations, Swansea Sound and The Wave in order to save costs. But the communications regulator said it was unconvinced of UTV's arguments.

This is the second time in recent months that UTV Radio has had a co-location request turned down by Ofcom.

In June, UTV’s bid to co-locate its Stockport radio station Imagine FM with its other North West radio stations, Wish FM, Wire FM and Tower FM, in a new central HQ in Warrington, was refused. This led to UTV Radio selling Imagine FM.

Meanwhile, UTV is putting its Edinburgh radio station, talk107, up for sale as part of a cost-cutting drive.

The station's fortunes improved after UTV took steps earlier this year to remedy its underperformance.

However, the group has decided it is unlikely that talk107 could make a profit in the near future.

If no buyer can be found, UTV plans to close the station and return the station's licence to Ofcom.