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   station directory latest radio news air today feedback features  |  Wednesday, 14th May 2003 Eleven in running for West Midlands FM regional A new regional radio licence for Birmingham and Wolverhampton has attracted a diverse range of applications, ranging from rock to country music output. Those vying for the chance to switch on a new station covering the West Midlands include Virgin 105.2, backed by rock legends Ozzy Osbourne and Robert Plant. Parent company SMG plc is planning a regionalised rock station for the area, with local presenters plucking music from a wide spectrum including Foo Fighters, Oasis, Aerosmith and The Rolling Stones. |
 | DAB digital radio brand The Storm are also looking to cross onto analogue radio, to bring modern rock radio and music from unsigned bands to the Midlands. Elsewhere, media group Celador's parent company, Complete Communications, has teamed up with UBC Media to submit an application for a rock music station, WMMR that moves away from the top 40 playlist. Jump FM is also keen to broadcast its mix of modern rock and alternative music and comedy. Heavy metal and rock brand Kerrang! Radio completes the set of rock stations in the running for the new licence. London and Manchester-based Jazz FM is also eyeing an expansion into new territory; it already holds a place on the regional commercial DAB digital radio multiplex for the area. Wireless Group-baked Newstalk 105.2 wants a news and talk station for the West Midlands. The Wireless Group operates national sports talk station talkSPORT. The bid for talk stations is joined by Chrysalis Radio's WBC - a news, lifestyle and entertainment speech station based around its newly-relaunched station LBC 97.3 FM in London. Continuous country music station 3C is offering another completely new format for the cities. The Scottish Radio Holdings-backed station has already taken its place on several local DAB digital radio multiplexes up and down the country. Teen music station Capital Disney plans a service aimed at younger people, where the music is no more than two years old. Sunrise Radio is hoping to expand into the region, from its base in London, to bring a music mix and news format to the West Midlands Asian population. The new licence, which will be awarded in September, will mean a new station joining 100.7 Heart FM and Saga 105.7fm as the third regional station for the West Midlands. The winning applicant will also join regional DAB digital radio stations including The Arrow, Urban Choice and Galaxy. Related links: The Storm website |
