Oneword
| Broadcast area | United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Frequency | DAB: 11D (Digital One) Freeview: 717 Sky Digital: 0127 |
| Programming | |
| Format | Speech |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | UBC Media Group |
| Links | |
| Website | www.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 their ex-NTL cable channel lineup on 4 October 2007. Oneword was not on their 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] It has been claimed that the audience for the station was higher while the birdsong was playing than when the station was broadcasting normally.[9]
References
- ^ "Oneword Radio unveils launch schedule". Broadcast Now. 18 April 2000. Retrieved 18 December 2009.
- ^ Channel 4 plans digital radio station, The Guardian, 27 August 2004
- ^ Investors turned off by returns on digital radio, The Times, 9 December 2007
- ^ Change or die, says Oneword owner, The Guardian, 4 January 2008
- ^ Forum posting from former Programme Manager confirming dismissal of staff and imminent closure, 1 January 2008
- ^ Two digital radio stations to close, The Guardian, 10 January 2008
- ^ "Birdsong is Back". Digital One. 11 January 2008. Retrieved 13 February 2008.
- ^ Birdsong radio taken off air, BBC News, 1 June 2009
- ^ Mahoney, Elisabeth (7 February 2008). "Cheep and cheerful – the new radio hit". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 16 September 2008.