News has just surfaced that Planet Rock, the only station bar 6 Music that is actually worth listening to on DAB radio in the UK, has been saved from imminent closure. The multiple Sony Award winning station has been purchased by a consortium of rock stars who have shows on the station, Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath), Gary Moore (Solo/Thin Lizzy), Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull) and Fish (Solo/Marillion), and headed up by long time rock fan Malcolm Bluemel.

Planet Rock had been in trouble ever since original owners, GCap Media, announced it was selling Planet Rock and it’s sister station The Jazz due to the company’s poor financial state. It was originally going to stop broadcasting on 31st March, but due to interest from multiple groups, including one headed by Queen guitarist Brian May, the station got a stay of execution and remained on the air. None of these bids amounted to a sale until 31st May, when the new owners completed the purchase for an undisclosed sum. It was also announced that there will be no breaks in transmission or changes in programming.

For all our non-UK readers, you can also listen to Planet Rock on the web via PlanetRock.com.

Full press release after the break.

We’re pleased to bring you the news we have all been waiting for….

At long last we’re delighted to be able to announce that Planet Rock’s future is now secure. We have been purchased by life long rock and radio fan Malcolm Bluemel and his consortium supported by our very own Tony Iommi, Ian Anderson , Gary Moore, and Fish, saving Planet Rock from certain closure.

In a deal finalised today Malcolm takes control of the station with immediate effect, there will be no break in transmission or changes in programming.

Everyone at the station is over the moon and more than a little relieved that we’ve got the outcome we hoped for and that the wait is over. Now we can get back to normal.

Thanks to everyone of you for your amazing support it really has been overwhelming, the individual email messages, the petitions to the Prime Minister and Ofcom, the incredible tenacity of the Save Planet Rock web site and to those groups who tried unsuccessfully to buy the station, you have all been an inspiration to all of us here at Planet Rock. You are all very special.

We are all looking forward to working with Malcolm. His passion for rock music and his love for the station can only help us in our aim to make Planet Rock the best rock station in the world….ever.

Thanks for listening and keep rockin’

Planet Rock HQ

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