Oneword

Oneword
Broadcast areaUnited Kingdom
FrequencyDAB: 11D (Digital One)
Freeview: 717
Sky Digital: 0127
Programming
FormatSpeech
Ownership
OwnerUBC Media Group
History
First air date
2 May 2000; 24 years ago (2000-05-02)
Last air date
11 January 2008; 16 years ago (2008-01-11)
Links
Websitewww.oneword.co.uk

Oneword Radio was a British commercial digital radio station featuring books, drama, comedy, children's programming, and discussion. The station was available in the UK via digital radio (DAB) and digital television (Freeview DVB-T and Sky Digital DVB-S) and was streamed on the internet 24 hours a day worldwide. It was launched on 2 May 2000.[1]

Ownership was shared between UBC Media Group and Channel 4 between early 2005 and December 2007.[2] In October 2005, Channel 4 increased its stake to a majority by buying 51% of Oneword for £1 million. At 7.30 on weekday mornings, Oneword carried the Channel 4 Radio daily news broadcast The Morning Report, which was produced by the Channel 4 news team.

Virgin Media removed OneWord from its ex-NTL cable channel lineup on 4 October 2007. Oneword was not on its ex-Telewest lineup at the time.

In December 2007, Channel 4 decided to withdraw its funding, selling its share back to UBC Media Group for £1.[3][4] All programming was replaced by repeats of previous output. On 1 January 2008 the remaining staff were dismissed.[5] Oneword ceased broadcasting on DAB on Friday 11 January 2008.[6]

After broadcasting ended, birdsong was broadcast on the channel[7] until a permanent replacement, Amazing Radio, came on air on 1 June 2009.[8]

References

  1. ^ "Oneword Radio unveils launch schedule". Broadcast. 18 April 2000. Retrieved 18 December 2009.
  2. ^ "Channel 4 plans digital radio station", The Guardian, 27 August 2004
  3. ^ "Investors turned off by returns on digital radio"[dead link‍], The Times, 9 December 2007
  4. ^ "Change or die, says Oneword owner", The Guardian, 4 January 2008
  5. ^ Forum posting from former Programme Manager confirming dismissal of staff and imminent closure, 1 January 2008
  6. ^ "Two digital radio stations to close", The Guardian, 10 January 2008
  7. ^ "Birdsong is Back". Digital One. 11 January 2008. Retrieved 13 February 2008.
  8. ^ "Birdsong radio taken off air", BBC News, 1 June 2009