THE owners of the Edinburgh-based all-speech radio station, talk107, have admitted that, should no buyer be found for it, they will return its broadcasting licence to regulators, Ofcom.
Yesterday, in a statement to the City, UTV also admitted that their plans for an additional national talk station are now on indefinite hold due to a decision by Channel 4, last month, to pull out of leading a new digital radio multiplex.
Last week, talk107 was put up for sale.
Said UTV: “Earlier this year, we took action to remedy the under-performance of our new radio station in Edinburgh, talk107.
“Despite some improvement, it now seems unlikely that this station can be brought to profitability in a reasonable timescale, particularly in the current market conditions. Therefore, we have decided to curtail our investment in talk107 by offering it for sale. In the event that sale terms can’t be agreed, we would propose to close the station and return the licence to Ofcom.”
The station, which launched on February 14 two years ago, now has only three of its original on-air employees remaining: news editors, Gwen Lawrie and Joe Odber, and sports host, Gordon Dallas.
