Belfast-based media group UTV, owner of TalkSport, has criticised Channel 4 for pulling out of the 4Digital consortium, saying its decision has scuppered the launch of any digital radio services for the “foreseeable future.”

UTV said it was surprised by Channel 4’s move to pull out of launching digital radio services on a new multiplex owned by 4Digital, in which the broadcaster was the largest shareholder, and that the decision was “unilateral”.

“This decision undermined the business model upon which the consortium’s application was based and, consequently, it would seem unlikely that the multiplex will launch in the foreseeable future,” UTV said.

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