Music icons snap up Planet Rock

GCap Media has sold digital-only station Planet Rock for an undisclosed sum to newly formed company Rock Show. The company is led by rock and radio fan Malcolm Bluemel.

It is understood that rock icons Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi, Jethro Tull lead singer Ian Anderson and rocker Gary Moore, and Fish from Marillion are supporting the acquisition although it is not clear in what capacity.

The change in ownership will happen with immediate effect although the station will continue to be broadcast from GCap’s Leicester Square headquarters for an interim period.

The sale will come as a blow to Queen guitarist Brian May, who is understood to have been close to a deal with GCap for the station.

Planet Rock was put up for sale in February this year as part of a major review of the radio operator by then chief executive Fru Hazlitt. The sale was part of the group’s plans to pull-out of digital audio broadcasting (DAB) to concentrate on other distribution platforms, such as broadband.