Vocento and COPE close an agreement to give rise to Punto Radio

Both groups close an agreement that involves the association of the stations owned by Vocento, integrated into the ABC Punto Radio network, with the stations that currently make up the Cadena COPE network.

Vocento and COPE have reached an agreement to make Punto Radio viable. The Vocento group's strategic plan for 2013 includes, as its main novelty, the integration of its network of ABC Punto Radio stations into the Cadena COPE network.

The different portals of the radio network (COPE, Cadena 100 and Rock FM) will also be integrated into the ABC website to reinforce the competitive online information market.

The agreement involves the association of the stations owned by Vocento, integrated into the ABC Punto Radio network, with the stations that currently make up the Cadena COPE network. Both networks will share the same network programming whose marketing will be managed by Cadena Cope in its different formats.

Likewise, Cadena COPE's news bulletins will be issued under a joint name, yet to be determined, between COPE and ABC. In addition, Vocento will appoint the News Coordinator and presenter of the midday News.

The strategic alliance also includes the presence of journalists and collaborators of the newspaper ABC in the main news and opinion programs of Cadena COPE and the monitoring of both editorial offices on topics of common interest. To do this, an Editorial Committee is created made up of representatives of both media.

This operation is subject to approval by the National Competition Commission. Vocento expects that this agreement will mean annual savings for the group of between 35 and 40 million euros, while the investment necessary for its start-up reaches 20 million euros.