Unique Interactive, which develops software for digital radio operators, today announces that it has signed a contract with the iBiquity Digital Corporation of the USA which will see it provide consultancy services relating to the development of terrestrial digital radio in the United States.

iBiquity is the sole developer of HD Radio(TM) technology, the technology that is the agreed standard for terrestrial digital radio broadcasting and data services in the United States. iBiquity is backed by the industry leaders within the US broadcasting, consumer electronics and automotive sectors.

Simon Cole, UBC's CEO, commented, "the US radio market is enormous compared with the UK market. We are very excited about the potential for digital radio and are pleased that we have been chosen to work with iBiquity to assist them with their development of advanced services for HD Radio. Having been at the forefront of Digital Radio in the UK since it's inception, we have considerable knowledge of how to exploit the technology successfully and are in a strong position to export this knowledge overseas. We are very pleased to be working with iBiquity on this."

Joseph D'Angelo, Vice President, Advanced Services, iBiquity, commented, "UBC have a proven record in the UK. With the accelerated roll out of HD Radio in the US and the benefit of UBC's extensive experience and leadership in the development and support of DAB services, US broadcasters will be positioned to rapidly deploy new and advanced services and begin to realize the full potential and benefits of digital radio broadcasting via HD Radio. We are very much looking forward to working closely with them."

UBC is also pleased to announce that its commercial radio programming division, has been commissioned to produce a new weekly chart show on behalf of Hit40UK, the chart company jointly owned by the major UK radio groups. Commercial stations throughout the UK with an Adult Contemporary format will broadcast the new show, which is planned for launch this autumn, live on Sunday afternoons.