John McCann, the chief executive of UTV, the owner of talkSPORT, is full of praise for Michael Grade, the ITV executive chairman. “I was delighted when I heard Michael Grade had been appointed. In fact, I was relieved. He is an excellent guy and exactly what ITV needs,” said Mr McCann, who has worked at the Belfast-based broadcasting group for 23 years, running the show for eight of those.

His relief comes as no surprise. As part of the ITV network, the success of UTV’s television arm is dependent on strong programming at the UK’s largest commercial broadcaster.

However, even Mr Grade’s presence is not enough to make the UTV boss feel completely at ease. Mr McCann admitted to feeling some discomfort at the lack of control UTV has over its television content, which is dictated by ITV.

If that programming comprises hours of embarrassingly feeble talent shows or facile American imports, then there is little he can do about it.

Refusing to be seduced by the glitz and glamour of television, the softly spoken accountant is focusing increasingly on radio. “We have absolute control over radio and are very excited about the medium.”

With radio accounting for 55 per cent of turnover in the first half of this year, while television had a 36 per cent share, he is keen to grow the radio arm significantly through acquisitions.

“The radio market is looking like the worst is behind it and there’s more optimism. The best thing that can happen in radio is for GCap [the UK’s largest commercial radio company] to be strong, as this will drive the market.”

As for acquisitions, Mr McCann will look at everything, from groups with local to national licences. “We are an acquisitive company and there is a desperate need for consolidation in the UK radio industry. That is the only way to compete against a well-funded BBC.”

He thinks Emap Radio’s Big City Network would be a good fit and is considering an approach for the £400 million division currently on the market. However, considering UTV’s market capitalisation is £215 million, Mr McCann realises that he may have to team up with another bidder.

While he would very much like to own Virgin Radio, which is also on the market, sources close to UTV said that the group would not pay more than £50 million. The mooted price is double that. “Virgin Radio would go well with talkSPORT,” he said, underlining his love of the spoken word by announcing the national launch next summer of Talk Radio on the digital multiplex. “It will be talkSPORT without the sport,” he said.

However, he noted that Virgin’s true value could be determined only when Virgin Group says how much freedom any future owner could have with the brand. And although he is a believer in the need for consolidation, Mr McCann is adamant that he will not overpay just to become the consolidator.

It is in Britain where UTV has been eyeing its opportunities for growth, having already established itself as one of the biggest players in Ireland, with stations in Belfast, Cork, Limerick, Dublin, Drogheda and Dundalk.

TalkSPORT, which he acquired for £98 million in 2005, has been a strong performer for the group, helping to boost half-year pretax profits by 5 per cent to £8.9 million.

His faith in the continued relevance of radio is underlined when he says: “The success of talkSPORT proves that it is far too early to think about an AM switch-off, and we have shared our views with Ofcom.” With most major radio groups calling for the end of AM broadcasting, Mr McCann could have a battle on his hands.

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