User:Tjones4/ubc

UBC Media Group is an independent supplier of services to the radio industry.

UBC’s Networked Programming business ranks as one of the largest independent radio advertising sales businesses in the UK.

UBC’s Digital Content business is one of the leading independent audio production companies in the UK, supplying both radio programming for the BBC and on-demand programming. UBC also supplies software that operates digital radio data services.

Staff
It was founded by Simon Cole and Tim Blackmore in 1989.

Cole is Chief Executive, having started out as a trainee at the BBC and developed national sponsored programmes whilst at Piccadilly Radio in Manchester.

Blackmore is the Group Editorial Director, and has a background in radio production with BBC Radio One and Capital Radio.

John Quinn is the Chief Operating Officer and has overall management responsibility for the Group’s Broadcast and Digital divisions. He joined Unique Broadcasting in 1996 and formerly worked in sales at Virgin Radio, Atlantic 252 and Kiss FM.

History
UBC bought the [Classic_gold_digital_network|Classic Gold Digital Network] which includes digital and analogue licences from GWR Group in two separate transactions in 2000 and 2002 for about £2m. In 2007, UBC effectively sold them back for £3.95m to [GCap_Media|GCap Media] - the company created from the merger of GWR Group and Capital Radio Group.

In July 2006, as part of UBC's move away from owning radio stations, it sold its share in (DNN|Digital News Network) for £66k.

In December 2007, UBC bought the remaining 51% stake in Oneword Radio from Channel Four Television Corp. for £1, and then closed the loss-making speech DAB radio station one month later.

In May 2008, UBC announced its Commercial Division was being bought by the American company, [GNET|Global Traffic Network] for £15 million. The deal is expected to complete around the end of July 2008.

In June 2008, UBC announced it was closing down its loss-making venture Cliq, a service which allowed DAB listeners to download music to onto their mobile phones. The system was designed to be implemented on DAB-enabled mobile phones, but few manufactorers have been interested in adding DAB to their handsets.

Divisions and Services
UBC Group has two divisions:

1) BROADCAST DIVISION
Networked Programming is syndicated content delivered in audio and script format for commercial radio stations. It comes in three flavours


 * Network Drive - traffic and travel bulletins
 * Sky News Radio - national and international news and sport
 * Entertainment News - entertainment news

Used by more than 250 commercial radio stations, Networked Programming is by far UBC's most profitable arm and is funded on a “Barter syndication” business-model.

UBC also produces Commissioned programming to the BBC via its production companies


 * Unique - Radio (based in London)
 * Smooth Operations - TV and Radio (based in Cambridge and Manchester)

The company also produces Digital Content in the form of podcasts for various clients, while Unique Facilities offers in-house and outside broadcast production facilities from its base near Marylebone, London.

2) DIGITAL DIVISION
Unique Interactive produces software including


 * ManDLS - a system updates the text which appears on DAB sets
 * EPG - an Electronic Programme Guide for DAB for EPG-capable devices

Profitability
UBC's business model relies heavily on providing content to commercial radio based on so-called “Barter syndication”, effectively giving content to stations in exchange for selling some of their advertising airtime.

But as revenues from radio advertising slumps, so has the group's profitability.

UBC’s post-tax operating loss for the year (2006-2007) was £1.26 million (compared to £193,000 in 2005-2006).

BRIEF: For the six months ended 30 September 2007, UBC Media Group plc's revenues increased 10% to £7.6M. Net loss totaled £323K vs. an income of £29K.

This was part of the company's aims to "reduce costs and increase profitability".

Ditching its digital stations is part of UBC's long-term strategy to provide radio services and distance itself from direct broadcasting.

_________________

UBC Media Group supplies services to the radio industry.

It’s Networked Programming business ranks as one of the largest independent radio advertising sales businesses in the UK.

UBC’s Digital Content business is one of the leading independent audio production companies in the UK, supplying both radio

programming for the BBC and on-demand programming.

UBC is a leading supplier of the software that operates new digital radio data services. UBC has also developed a ground

breaking new technology that allows listeners to purchase music directly from their radio.

UBC Media Group is registered in England and its registered address is 50 Lisson Street, London NW1 5DF. The ordinary shares

of UBC Media Group are listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange.