SCOTLAND is to ‘hear’ the launch of nine brand new digital radio services in the next 24 hours as New Wave Media unveils its web radio plans for Scotland.
Central FM Gold, Central FM Country, Central FM Chart, Wave 102 Gold, Wave 102 Country, Wave 102 Chart, Original 106 Gold, Original 106 Country and Original 106 Chart will dawn the internet airwaves over the next 24 hours.
Each station will be a locally-focused genre specific offering, with each station carrying local news every hour.
Alistair Smith, who is heading up the project, said: “These stations have a hybrid structure, they are not a direct music-on-demand proposition, more a station ‘genre’ on-demand playing to all the strengths of radio whilst just focussing on the music you love.”
The stations will offer listeners a new music format enabling them to remain loyal to the local station whilst enjoying all the benefits of local features, what’s on guides and, of course, local, national and international news.
The company is also investing in widescale access with a variety of deals having been struck, including with the radio app, TuneIn Radio.
The stations will also be accessed via bespoke radio apps, websites and other partner points across the internet with smart phone listing predicted to be the most popular listening device.
Added a spokesperson: “Advertisers will also be given fresh marketing and connection opportunities as broadcasting regulators, Ofcom, does not regulate web radio – enabling a variety of innovative advertiser and marketing solutions.
“Ofcom Scotland recently released the latest DAB listening figures for Scotland up to 2015 showing just 36 per cent of the Scottish population confirming they have at least one DAB radio in their home.
“Meanwhile, in the same year, web radio listening has been charging up the blind side, catching UK radio bosses by surprise.
“The IAB (Internet Advertising Bureau for the UK) found that 19.4 million people a week use the internet for their overall audio consumption – with live radio showing the highest reach of all audio uses, at 51 per cent.
“The second highest use was on-demand music services at 40 per cent with podcast music services the lowest at just 2.9 per cent.”
Adam Findlay, the managing director of New Wave Media, said: “The good news is that web radio is now coming of age with uncapped data streaming, widescale wi-fi access and, of course, the arrival of internet access in cars. The industry is being given a second chance to realise its true digital future.
“DAB will almost certainly be part of that future but that’s all, just part of it: not the exclusive future. I think it will soon be a web-led future.”
Findlay confirmed a further volley of radio stations are under construction with planned launch dates in early 2017; amongst the offering will be jazz, R&B, classical music and a Scottish service playing a variety of Scottish music – from modern to Country.
Notes for editors:
New Wave Media is the managing company for Original 106, Wave 102 and Central FM.
The New Wave portfolio of radio stations makes the group the largest Scottish-owned radio group in Scotland.
The majority shareholder and CEO of New Wave Media is Adam Findlay.
New Wave Media’s head office is in Dundee.
New Wave Media was set up in 2007.
New Wave Media’s radio philosophy is all about keeping it local with minimal networking across its radio stations, allowing all the shows to be local all of the time (the only exception being the chart show on Central FM).
ENDS
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Contact: Adam Findlay
