GMG wins Manchester licence
Guardian Media Group (GMG) Radio is launching a station called RockTalk in Manchester after winning Ofcom’s new FM radio licence for the region.
RockTalk, which will feature a mixture of speech and classic rock, will target over-35s and could reach as many as 1.8 million people.
GMG beat competition from rivals such as Chrysalis and Emap to win the licence. RockTalk is the 13th licence owned by GMG and follows its recent acquisition of the Saga and Century FM radio groups.
Ofcom has also awarded an FM radio licence for Hertfordshire and Monmouthshire to Hertfordshire and Monmouthshire Classic Hits.
The regulator received a total of 11 applications for the Manchester licence and two for Hertfordshire and Monmouthshire. Chrysalis made a double bid for the Manchester licence and the company’s chief executive Phil Riley says he is “bemused” by Ofcom’s decision to award it to GMG.