UCB reaffirms its commitment to DAB

With the past week's debate on the future of digital broadcasting in the UK, UCB has joined other digital groups in affirming their commitment to digital broadcasting.

The Background

• GCap Media, major sharholders in the Digital One UK national DAB network, recently announced that they wished to withdraw from this commitment, with the result that the Digital One network has been placed on the market.
• GCap also announced the immediate closure of their digital-only stations Planet Rock and The Jazz
• Also placed on the market by GCap media were it's XFM stations in central Scotland, Manchester and South Wales. It is rumoured that, if a buyer is not found for XFM Scotland by the end of next month, its licence will be returned to broadcasting regulators Ofcom.
• The highly successful Classic FM, also owned by GCap Media, announced a major reshape of it's schedules, including the introduction of two hours of jazz daily from midnight to 2am alongside an online Jazz stream.
• Earlier, doubt had been cast on the future of DAB as a pan-Europe digital system. Germany has announced that it is withholding finance from public service broadcasters with the message that they must come up with a better programming strategy for DAB. France had made an announcement which indicated that DAB would not the digital medium of choice in that country.

Following statements of support for DAB from the BBC and the 4 Digital Froup, UCB published the following Press Release:-

February 15, 2008

United Christian Broadcasters reaffirms its commitment to DAB digital radio

United Christian Broadcasters (UCB) has joined the BBC and 4 Digital Group in reaffirming its commitment to the future of digital radio.

In response to earlier reports from GCap Media that it intends to close two of its digital-only radio stations, UCB, in common with other major broadcasters has publicly announced its commitment to DAB as the future of radio broadcasting.

"In line with the BBC and other major players in the radio industry, we firmly believe in the positive future of DAB digital radio," said Brian Bennett, UCB's Director of Communications. "With digital radio listening on the increase, and with DAB the only platform to extend national Christian radio broadcasting to cars and portable radios, UCB is fully committed to expanding its capabilities in this area."

UCB has been broadcasting on DAB digital radio since January 2007 and now has two digital radio stations which combined, reach most of England and Wales.

Recent RAJAR figures indicate that DAB digital radio listening continues to grow across the UK, with the industry predicting that more than nine million households will have a digital radio by the end of 2008.Brian

Bennett continued, "The future for DAB digital radio is bright. DAB is and will continue to be a success story and UCB is excited to be part of that".

For interviews or more information, contact Paula Cummings at UCB on 01782 764982.

Notes to editor

1. United Christian Broadcasters (UCB) is a Christian media charity, providing radio programming via DAB digital radio and television programming via digital satellite. UCB�s radio programmes are also available via digital satellite, digital cable and the Internet.

2. UCB provides thought-provoking, life-changing resources to churches, Christians and people seeking a better understanding of the Christian faith, currently reaching more than a million people across the UK and Ireland.

3. Key DAB facts:
22.3% of adults live in a DAB household (Rajar Q4 07), which equates to 11.2 million adults
One million DAB radios were sold in Q4, 2007
Nearly one quarter of all radios sold in the UK are DAB (24%)
By the end of 2008 it is estimated there will be 9.2 million DAB radios in homes
Household penetration at the end of 2008 is forecast to be 30%
88% of DAB owners rate the experience "good" or "excellent"
DAB reaches 90% of the population while Freeview is at 73%

Paula Cummings
Senior Publicist
United Christian Broadcasters
Westport Road
Stoke on Trent
ST6 4JF
http://www.ucb.co.uk/
pcummings@ucb.co.uk