Channel 4 plans to challenge the BBC’s dominance of the airwaves by broadcasting successful television drama on its radio station.

Nathalie Schwarz, the head of Channel 4 Radio, told The Times that Skins, a television series that revolves around the lives of a group of 16 to 18-year-old friends living in Bristol, would air on its digital station E4 Radio, due to launch in July 2008.

She said Channel 4 will not replicate what the BBC does, but will focus on talk radio and on providing a “less stuffy” alternative to Radio 4.

She said: “We have spoken to 14,000 people about their attitudes towards radio and have come to the conclusion that commercial radio needs to take more risks in terms of content.”

Ms Schwarz believes that mobile phones will eventually become the most effective way of reaching young people on the digital platform. She has promised to work with the company’s partners to promote digital radio and drive consumer adoption of the medium, which has failed to be as popular as digital television. She is in talks with Ofcom, the communications regulator, about when it will reach a decision on switching off analogue.

The commercial radio sector has complained that the Government’s failure to reach a decision on the switchover is “crippling the industry”, as motor manufacturers and handset-makers will not take the medium seriously until a firm decision is made.

Channel 4 will run three stations itself, launching them one at a time. Channel 4 Radio will follow a few months after E4 Radio, with Pure4 third. Another seven networks will include a station for children run by Walt Disney and one for women, based on Closer magazine.

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