A consortium led by Channel 4 and backed by Sky News has won the licence to launch a swath of new digital radio stations across the UK from the beginning of next year.

Ofcom, the broadcasting regulator, revealed today that the 4 Digital Group had been awarded Britain’s new national radio multiplex.

Up to ten new digital radio stations, such as E4 Radio, Talk Radio and a rolling news service run by Sky News Radio, are expected to begin by as early as February.

The new 12-year licence is also expected to herald the launch of mobile TV channels and a wide selection of podcasts.

As part of the licence, 4 Digital has committed to launching at least eight of the new radio stations in the first 12 months, using a network of 174 transmitters that cover 86.6 per cent of the adult population.

The consortium will also spend nearly £30 million marketing the new services.

Ed Richards, the 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.”

At present only one in five adults lives in a DAB household, and 4 Digital wants to increase swiftly the amount of listeners within the 15 to 34 age group.

There are only two existing digital radio services in the UK, the first operated by the BBC and the second by Digital One, 63 per cent owned by radio group GCap, which has been running since 1999.

Nathalie Schwarz, the director of radio at Channel 4 and 4 Digital chairman, has made it an aim to break the BBC’s hold on the market.

Channel 4 owns a 55 per cent stake in the consortium, with Sky News Radio, the magazine publisher Emap, UTV Radio and Carphone Warehouse each owning a 10 per cent share.

The UBC Media Group owns the remaining 5 per cent. National Grid Wirless was competing with 4 Digital for the new licence.

The ten stations proposed by 4 Digital are:

E4 Radio (youthful interactive entertainment),

Channel 4 Radio (contemporary public service speech),

Pure4 (intelligent contemporary adult),

Talk Radio (news, views and entertainment),

Closer (female, celebrity and lifestyle),

Sky News Radio (rolling news),

Sunrise Radio UK (Asian),

Virgin Radio Viva (female-friendly pop),

Original (adult album alternative),

Radio Disney (children's service)

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