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2nd December 2008

C4 could drop Oneword

09.11.07 Tom Tivnan

The future of spoken-word radio station Oneword is once again hanging in the balance, with sources close to the digital channel saying that Channel 4 is close to pulling out of the venture.

C4 is understood to be switching its focus to a new push for its own branded digital radio stations, as it works to break the BBC's radio dominance. A source familiar with the situation said: "It's a complex situation, but all the focus is going into Channel 4 radio and resources are being moved away from Oneword. It will be difficult to continue as it is."

John Quinn, commercial director of Oneword's minority owner UBC Media, "categorically denied" that C4 had pulled out of the venture, but would not comment on what the channel might do in the future. He said: "As always with these things, everything is under constant review. At this stage, there is nothing I can confirm or deny about Oneword's future." He added: "Channel 4 has been a sound partner for us since they came in the last two years."

C4 revealed this month that it will launch a new 10-station platform in its 4 Digital radio consortium, in an attempt to take on the BBC. Its first station, E4 Radio, launches in July 2008. Another source close to Oneword said: "It is significant that Channel 4 has made a lot of noise about its new radio stations, but hasn't mentioned Oneword."

The uncertainty comes as Oneword's audience base slowly grows. Half-year listening figures to September 2007 from Radio Joint Audience Research show an audience reach of 151,000, up from 138,000 in the previous period. In comparison, the BBC's spoken-word station BBC7 had quarterly audience figures to September 2007 of 795,000.

C4 bought a 51% stake in Oneword in 2005; the other 49% is owned by UBC Media.

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