UTV secures Belfast FM radio licence

UTV has been awarded an FM radio licence for Belfast.

UTV has been awarded an FM radio licence for Belfast.

The radio station, to be called U105, will be on air by early 2006 and will be aimed at adults aged 45 plus. UTV said the station will carry a mixture of "topical speech and a wide choice of music."

UTV plans include a marketing budget of more than £2 million to launch the station which will broadcast on 105.1 FM to Belfast and the surrounding area, and on the Freeview digital TV platform to all of Northern Ireland.

The Belfast market is estimated to comprise 750,000 adult listeners.