Timeline: C4 Radio
- Published: 10 October 2008 11:35
- Author: Robin Parker
- More by this Author
- Last Updated: 10 October 2008 11:35
- Reader Responses
Channel 4 Radio's journey from conception to rejection.
August 2006 C4 revives The Tube as an online radio show for its nascent 4Radio web venture, launched to demonstrate its radio credentials ahead of a formal bid for the second UK DAB multiplex licence.
May 2007 C4 Radio launches a podcast show spin-off of Big Brother.
July 2007 C4-led radio consortium 4 Digital Group beats National Grid Wireless to the second UK DAB multiplex licence. Ofcom hands out a 12 year licence for ten radio stations including:
E4 Radio A music service aimed at 15-to 29-year-olds offering "an entirely fresh approach" that will also be "driven by interactivity with its listeners". It will have a strong commitment to new music and nurturing fresh comedy talent across the UK.
Channel 4 Radio A speech-based service aimed at 30-to 54-year-olds featuring news, current affairs, comedy, drama, documentaries and debate. A morning news show would be a direct rival to Radio 4's Today programme.
Pure4 A music and speech service for 30-to 49-year-olds with an "eclectic range of music, complemented by intelligent conversation about the arts and contemporary culture".December 2007 C4 hires BBC Radio Five Live controller Bob Shennan as director of radio. Incumbent Nathalie Schwarz is promoted to join the Channel 4 board as new business and corporate development director.
March 2008 C4 enters talks with Ofcom about extending its launch schedule to the end of the year.
May 2008 At Broadcast's Radio 3.0 conference, Bob Shennan admits that E4 Radio is unlikely to appear before 2009.
4Radio's website debuts four plays set to be broadcast on the proposed Channel 4 Radio.October 2008 C4 pulls out of radio in a bid to save up to £10m next year, as part of its wider efficiency review to cut costs by £100m over 2008 and 2009.
