National Grid Wireless wins Bristol FM contract

13 February 2007

National Grid Wireless has further strengthened its position in the commercial radio sector after being awarded the transmission contract for the new Bristol radio station. Due to be launched next summer, Original 106.5 is aimed at a more mature male audience, providing “adult alternative radio”.

This new FM local licence was awarded by Ofcom to Original Bristol FM Limited, which is backed by the international media company CanWest MediaWorks. Original already operates an FM service in the Solent region.

Tim Butler, senior account manager, commercial radio at National Grid Wireless, said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to provide the broadcast transmission service for Original 106.5 in Bristol. The award of this twelve-year contract demonstrates that National Grid Wireless is providing a real choice for the commercial radio industry, bringing our experience of operating nine of the eleven national radio networks to more and more local radio stations.”

Tom Hunter, MD of Original said “The package made complete sense to us – with an enhanced product at a reasonable rate. The launch programme for Original 106.5 is on time and on budget, and we can’t wait to give Bristol an exciting alternative listen.”

- Ends -

Notes to Editors:

About National Grid Wireless

National Grid Wireless is a wholly owned subsidiary of National Grid and is the leading independent provider of infrastructure to the mobile telecommunications operators in the UK.

National Grid Wireless is also one of two UK providers of terrestrial infrastructure for the transmission of analogue and digital television and radio broadcasts in the UK and as such achieves a 98% population coverage. In addition to the traditional analogue services, National Grid Wireless has a strong position in the growing digital television market, owning two of the six digital terrestrial television licences and providing infrastructure services to all the Freeview channels and the BBC and BSkyB.

For further information:

Stephen Arnold
National Grid Wireless
+44 (0) 1926 416 870
+44 (0) 7803 887 288 (m)