The United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man will get a brand new set of digital radio stations by July 2008, following today's announcement of the award of a second national digital radio multiplex.

4 Digital Group, a new company of which over half is owned by TV operator Channel 4, will bring back Talk Radio and add rolling news service Sky News Radio, the album station Original and a number of other childrens', female-orientated and Asian services. The group is also planning to launch a number of podcasts available for download over the airwaves with its strategic partners.

4 Digital Group Limited
Proposed radio stations:

• E4 Radio : youthful interactive entertainment (Channel 4 Radio Ltd)

• Channel 4 Radio : contemporary public service speech (Channel 4 Radio Ltd)

• Pure 4 : intelligent contemporary adult (Channel 4 Radio Ltd)

• talkRadio : news, views and entertainment (UTV Radio (GB) Ltd)

• Closer : female adult contemporary music, celebrity and lifestyle (Emap Digital Radio Ltd)

• Sky News Radio : rolling news (Sky News Radio Ltd)

• Sunrise Radio : Asian music and information (Sunrise Radio Group)

• Virgin Radio Viva : female orientated service (SMG plc)

• Original : album-orientated alternative music (CanWest MediaWorks UK Limited)

• Radio Disney : children's radio (Walt Disney Company International)

Proposed podcasts available to download via DAB digital radio:

• Gaydar Radio : high-energy pop and dance targeting the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community

• Financial Times : daily news and information tailored specifically to suit the needs of the business community

• Penguin : From timeless classics to the hottest bestsellers, free audio books are the core of this service

• New Musical Express : output from the NME, one of the most loved and respected sources of information about British music

• Club Asia : a range of programming to appeal to younger, second generation Asians

• IMG Media : sports programming that pays as much attention to the personalities and the stories behind the event as to the live event itself

• Prince’s Trust : using music to help in delivering its charitable purpose – to help change young lives in the UK by giving practical and financial support, and developing confidence and motivation skills

• Media Trust : stories from across the voluntary and community sector, including some of the new and inspiring ways that young people are making a difference

• Colourfull : a mix of news, current affairs and journalism, short documentaries, drama and panel discussions targeting a cross-cultural community

4 Digital Group are proposing to launch the majority of its stations on DAB by July 2008. The other applicant for the licence, National Grid Wireless, planned a February 2008 launch.

Ed Richards, Ofcom Chief Executive, said: "Today’s licence award is an important development for radio listeners who will benefit from a greater variety of commercial national radio services."

He added: "The award will give a real boost to the DAB platform, which we believe will form the cornerstone of radio provision in the future."