article date: 01 December 2009

ref: 338

Five years ago there was lobbying going on, because a Christian national station would have been illegal. Letter writing campaigns to MPs resulted in a change of regulation so Christian stations could go national. Now, after years of waiting and campaigning, a bit like buses you don't just get one you get two national Christian stations launching within months of each other.

National commercial radio is now able to offer the same sort of choice in Christian stations that people who like rock or speech radio have enjoyed for some years. UCB UK which is a music driven schedule playing soft adult contemporary tracks from Christian singers and bands and Premier Christian Radio which offers a more speech driven schedule featuring debates, discussion and worship alongside music and entertainment programmes.

Ian Mackie of UCB UK says: "Digital radio is fast becoming the listeners choice in how they absorb the greater variety of programming and stations that digital radio now offers. UCB was formed 23 years ago with the primary goal to broadcast nationally and now through our partnership with Digital One, we not only fulfil our goal but also add contemporary Christian music to the variety of stations available to the ever expanding digital audience. This partnership is not only good for UCB and Digital One, it is good for all digital radio listeners throughout the UK and will remain so for years to come!"

Glyn Jones, Operations Director of Digital One has welcomed the launch of UCB UK. “United Christian Broadcasters have had stations in some parts of the country for a while, but the national launch of UCB UK is a big step for Christian broadcasting. UCB listeners have already shown that they find the idea of UCB UK becoming a national station exciting, inspiring and motivating. The response to the recent radiothon and appeal which raised more than £750,000 was amazing.”

Glyn Jones added “We’re hoping listeners will find the two Christian stations complementary. Premier’s output is about 50% speech, while UCB UK is just 25%. That’s not as big as the difference between talkSPORT and Absolute Radio but it means that the two stations will appeal to different listeners at different points of the day.”

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