Former EMAP boss to head South Wales FM radio bid

Former EMAP radio chief Tim Schoonmaker is expected to re-emerge in the radio industry this week, as submissions are revealed for the Swansea FM licence.

Former EMAP radio chief Tim Schoonmaker is expected to re-emerge in the radio industry this week, as submissions are revealed for the Swansea FM licence.

The ex-EMAP Performance chief executive is thought to be leading the bid for a foreign company that has not previously applied for a UK radio licence. He is expected to make an announcement later this week.

Schoonmaker has been away from the UK radio scene since quitting EMAP in January 2004, apparently after becoming frustrated at not being given a seat on the group’s board. Almost immediately he was linked with venture capitalist Advent International, which wanted to buy into the UK radio market (MW January 19, 2004).

Commercial licences have proved a lure to foreign investors, with US group Emmis Communications among the 19 competitors for the Manchester FM licence, which was awarded to GCap Media’s Xfm in June.

Schoonmaker had been credited with helping to make EMAP Radio the UK’s second-largest radio group, with a portfolio that includes Kiss, Magic and Kerrang!. He was the first to suggest putting radio on the Freeview digital television platform.

After leaving EMAP, Schoonmaker became chief executive of Odeon cinemas but quit following its sale to venture capitalist Terra Firma (MW October 11, 2004).

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