C4 in talks with QSoft over Gaydar joining 4Radio bid

by Sarah Crawley-Boevey, Media Week 20-Feb-07

Channel 4 is in talks with QSoft Consulting, the company behind digital radio station Gaydar, on a partnership for the second national digital radio multiplex bid. Meanwhile, GCap has shelved plans to join a consortium bid with BT and Arqiva.

Gaydar is believed to be considering joining 4Radio in a bid that would
increase its share of digital spectrum and allow it to broadcast
nationally rather than just in London.

Channel 4 was not available for comment and Gaydar declined to

comment.

Separately, QSoft, which also runs Gaydar.co.uk, has announced plans to
spend £2m on the creation of a social networking portal called
GaydarNation, which will incorporate online lifestyle magazine
RainbowNetwork.com.

The company is also set to launch a mobile dating service and expand
into publishing, events and real estate shortly.

Channel 4, which broadcasts dramas such as Queer as Folk and Sugar Rush,
is no stranger to gay-themed programming.

From next Monday (26 February), the broadcaster will air "Gay Week", a
series of programmes in its morning education schedule focusing on gay
issues such as coming out and dealing with family members who come
out.

Meanwhile, it is understood that GCap's possible joint bid with BT and
Arqiva has been abandoned. However, any of the three companies could
join either the C4 consortium or the rival bid from National Grid
Wireless.

National Grid Wireless is working with ex-GCap chief executive David
Mansfield as a consultant for its bid, together with Jason Bryant,
former development director at Virgin Radio and now chief executive of
Town and Country Broadcasting, and Mike Franklin, former managing
director of TalkSport.