26th Oct 2006 07:01
UBC Media Group PLC26 October 2006 26 October 2006 UBC Media reports solid Q3 RAJAR Results UBC Media Group plc (LN: UBC), the digital radio broadcaster and programmeproducer, is pleased to report audience results showing that digital listeningis now having a significant positive effect for its radio stations. The RAJAR figures published today follow the recent announcement by the DigitalRadio Development Bureau (DRDB) that over 3.5 million DAB digital radios havebeen sold in the UK, with DRDB predicting that DAB penetration will reach 50% by2010. At this crucial time in the development of digital listening, UBC's Classic GoldDigital network (CGDL) has shown an increase of 8% in today's RAJAR figures,compared with the data released three months ago. This increase is strongest in the areas where CGDL's transmissions areexclusively digital, showing a 15% increase compared with the previous survey. Even in areas where CGDL's audience is partially delivered by declining analogueMedium Wave, listening has increased by 6% in the equivalent period, suggestingthat the increase in digital listening in these areas is faster than the declinein analogue. CGDL's business model is partially based on an agreement with GCap Media plc,who buy from the company the right to sell its airtime in return for aguaranteed payment which is directly related to listening hours. Today's RAJARincreases will therefore have a positive impact on the network's income over thecoming months. Total listening to CGDL across the UK has increased to 6,561,000 hours (Q3, 2006data release) from 6,081,000 (Q2, 2006 data release). Listening inexclusively-digital areas has increased to 1,572,000 hours (Q3, 2006 datarelease) from 1,371,000 (Q2, 2006 data release). Listening in analogue areas hasincreased to 4,989,000 hours (Q3, 2006 data release) from 4,710,000 (Q2, 2006data release). Listeners to Oneword Radio, the national digital station jointly owned by UBCand Channel 4 Television, are demonstrating increasing loyalty to the spokenword entertainment channel. The average listener has extended their time spentlistening to Oneword Radio by 9% compared with the data released three monthsago. Oneword Radio listeners now tune into the station for an average of 3.8 hoursper week (Q3, 2006 data release), compared with 3.5 hours per week previously(Q2, 2006 data release). Oneword Radio now records a weekly reach of 104,000 adults per week, listeningfor a total of 395,000 hours. (Q2, 2006 = 128,000 adults, 448,000 hours.) Commenting on the RAJAR figures, Simon Cole, Chief Executive of UBC Media, said: "UBC Media has created a pure play digital business designed to benefit from thecontinued growth of digital radio. I'm pleased that these figures show howquickly the British listening public are coming to appreciate the advantagesoffered by digital radio and that more choice is leading to more listening. UBCMedia is thrilled to be at the centre of this dynamic transition. "The strong performance by Classic Gold Digital, especially in areas where it isonly available on digital platforms, demonstrates the appeal of the programmingproposition offered by our classic hits channel in a highly competitive market.For Oneword Radio, I'm encouraged to see that the station's latest programmeschedule is extending listener loyalty, and I look forward to the next stage inthe channel's development, as we promote this distinctive network offering to awider audience. We are confident that growth in listening to new services is only the first waythat digital will transform radio business models. This week, Oneword hasbecome the first commercial station to offer a fully interactive service on thenew Virgin 'Lobster' mobile phone with integrated digital radio. The team hereat UBC is pioneering services which will bring direct revenue from interactiveservices such as the downloading of music and other content. It is our beliefthat, as an interactive digital medium, radio has an exciting future as itbegins to be able to monetise its relationship with listeners." - ends - For further information, please contact: Simon Cole, CEO, UBC Media Group plc: Tel: 020 7453 1600Katie Thompson, Portland: Tel: 020 7404 5344 About UBC Media Group UBC is quoted on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market. The Group is themarket leader in the supply of audio content and broadcast data software to theradio industry in the UK. In addition to the entertainment, traffic and traveland national news services provided to commercial radio, the Group is thelargest independent producer of radio programming for the BBC and the UK'sleading supplier of digital radio scrolling text and EPG software. The Groupalso has significant digital radio broadcasting interests including Classic GoldDigital, the nationally distributed classic hits format and a partnership withChannel 4 Television in national speech station Oneword. It is also part of theMXR Regional Multiplex consortium. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
7DIG.L