Page 75 of Going Solo (The Brent Boys #2)

U.S. media giant YMC outbids Sentinel Group for Pure Network

A bid by the Sentinel Group (owners of this newspaper) to buy the Pure Network, owners of PureFM and TalkUK, has been gazumped by an offer from U.S.-based ultraconservative media group Ypsilanti Media Corporation (YMC).

The offer, understood to be in excess of ￡200 million, is not subject to foreign ownership of media laws, despite TalkUK being one of the most influential talkback radio networks in the country. The laws apply only to newspapers.

Representatives of YMC declined to comment on the offer and what it would mean for the format of either radio network if the deal was approved by Pure’s board. However, in the U.S., YMC runs a string of hard-right-leaning talkback and Christian rock music radio stations, leading to criticism by media commentators that YMC is trying to buy power and influence in the U.K.’s democracy.