POSITIVE DIGITAL MEDIA LIMITED

What POSITIVE DIGITAL MEDIA LIMITED does

Positive Digital Media Limited (PDM) is a privately-held UK digital media company that acquires, develops, and operates branded digital entertainment radio channels distributed across mobile apps, online streaming, DAB radio, and smart speakers. Its channel portfolio includes Cheesy FM (a non-stop 'cheese' music station targeting 25-55 year-olds, voted one of THE TIMES' Top 10 Radio Apps in the UK), Comedy UK (Britain's first 24/7 dedicated comedy radio station, featuring live stand-up and classic clips), Matinee Radio (a musical theatre channel targeting the ABC1 demographic), and the forthcoming FIT FM (fitness, wellbeing, and sport). The company was founded to capitalise on the shift in how consumers access news and entertainment, with a buy-and-build strategy of acquiring and developing branded digital channels.

PDM's revenue model is advertising-based, with Cheesy FM selling advertising inventory through DAX, part of Global Media — a digital advertising exchange that connects brands with audiences at scale across audio and outdoor formats. The go-to-market motion is product-led growth: channels are freely available to consumers across multiple platforms, and PDM monetises the resulting audience through programmatic and direct advertising sales. The customer base is dual-sided: B2C listeners (25-55 demographic in the UK, expanding to English-speaking international markets) and B2B advertisers seeking access to engaged digital audio audiences.

The company's leadership team is composed of senior media industry figures, including board directors Rob McLoughlin OBE (former Granada Television board director, founder of Hasgrove Plc), John Dash (40-year UK commercial radio veteran, twice Fellow of the Radio Academy), Nick Hawkins (former Conservative MP, Corporate Barrister Partner at GunnerCooke LLP), Phil Parry (former Finance Controller at Granada TV and BBC), and Martin Lowde (former ITV Worldwide director, founder of Brands with Influence and 3Megos). Mark Lee, who leads Communicorp UK (the 4th largest commercial radio group in the UK with 3 million listeners), serves as an advisor. No parent company, institutional funding, or public market listing is disclosed.

Name

POSITIVE DIGITAL MEDIA LIMITED

Legal name

Positive Digital Media Limited

Website

https://positivedigitalmedia.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Positive Digital Media Limited is a UK private digital media company that acquires and operates branded audio entertainment channels (Cheesy FM, Comedy UK, Matinee Radio, FIT FM) across mobile apps, DAB, online, and smart speakers, monetising audiences through advertising via DAX Global Media.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Audio Media

NAICS

Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

Internet Radio & Streaming Broadcast Stations (Simulcast/Online-only) (MPAIAEAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Digital Radio Broadcasting (DAB/DAB+, HD Radio) (MPAIAEAD), Non-Interactive Digital Radio (Lean-Back Streaming) (MPAIACAB), Radio Streaming & Catch-Up Audio Platforms (MPAIADAJ)

Keywords

• Digital audio broadcasting
• Branded radio channels
• Online radio streaming
• Digital audio advertising
• Multi-platform entertainment

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Advertising Revenue: Cheesy FM sells advertising through DAX, part of Global Media. The company generates advertising revenue from its branded digital entertainment channels targeting growing audiences across multiple platforms.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Positive Digital Media acquires and develops branded digital entertainment radio channels — Cheesy FM (cheese/pop music), Comedy UK (the UK's first 24/7 dedicated comedy station), Matinee Radio (musical theatre), and forthcoming FIT FM (fitness/wellbeing). Channels are delivered simultaneously across mobile apps, online streaming, DAB radio, and smart speakers, and are monetized through digital advertising sold via DAX (Global Media).

Product overview

Positive Digital Media (PDM) is a digital media company that creates and acquires branded digital entertainment radio channels. The portfolio operates as a multi-channel platform delivering content across mobile apps, online streaming, DAB radio, podcasting, and smart speakers. The channel portfolio includes: Cheesy FM (cheese/pop music), Comedy UK (24/7 comedy), Matinee Radio (musical theatre), and FIT FM (fitness/wellbeing - forthcoming). Channels are monetized through digital advertising via DAX (Global Media).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cheesy FM: UK's fastest growing cheesy radio station delivering non-stop 'Grate Music' 24/7 365. Available on app, online and DAB. Targets 25-55 audience across the UK and English-speaking international markets.
• Matinee Radio
• Comedy UK
• FIT FM

Products and services

• Cheesy FM A branded digital radio station delivering non-stop 'Grate Music' 24/7, 365 days a year, branded 'Pure Cheese and Proud of It'. Targets a 25-55 audience in the UK and English-speaking international markets, and is available on mobile app, online, and DAB radio. Voted one of the Top 10 Radio Apps in the UK by THE TIMES.
• Comedy UK The UK's first and only 24/7 dedicated comedy radio station, delivering non-stop comedy content including live stand-up performances, classic clips, and fresh comedic voices. Features weekly live comedy gigs streamed directly to listeners. Available online, on app, and on smart speakers.
• Matinee Radio A musical theatre radio channel offering non-stop musical theatre content including special features and exclusive material. Audience trends slightly female and ABC1 demographic, providing a brand-safe and accountable audience for advertisers.
• FIT FM A forthcoming PDM radio channel targeting wellbeing, fitness, and sport content, designed to support training, motivate activity, and provide a soundtrack to a healthier life.

Quantifiable outcome

• Voted one of the Top 10 Radio Apps in the UK by THE TIMES

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• DAX (Global Media)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCheesy FM sells its advertising through DAX, part of Global Media. DAX is described as a pioneering digital advertising exchange which connects brands with audiences at scale across audio and outdoor. Advertisers on DAX can reach audiences through impactful formats, smart targeting and award-winning effectiveness tools.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cheesy Radio: UK digital radio station focused on 'cheese' pop music across apps and online; competes head-to-head with PDM's flagship Cheesy FM in the same niche format and audience.
• Communicorp UK: Operates Heart, Capital, Smooth and Real XS as the UK's 4th-largest commercial radio group with 3m listeners; led by Mark Lee, who is an advisor to PDM. Closest direct peer by UK radio footprint and DAB/app distribution.

Emerging players

• Ace Radio UK: Independent UK online and DAB radio station operator focused on specialty music formats; comparable small-scale independent digital radio operator pursuing similar niche audiences and ad-supported monetization.
• Audiomack: Music streaming platform with curated radio-style stations and ad-supported monetization; comparable lean-back streaming model with growing UK and international audiences.
• TuneIn: Global internet radio aggregator carrying tens of thousands of stations via apps and smart speakers; competes for streaming listeners and represents a potential distribution channel and competitive threat to PDM's online radio brands.

Broad incumbents

• Spotify: Global audio streaming leader moving aggressively into lean-back curated radio and podcast experiences; competes for the same listening hours and digital ad dollars PDM targets via Cheesy FM and Comedy UK.
• Bauer Media Audio UK: Operates Absolute Radio, Magic, Kiss and Hits Radio in the UK across DAB, online and apps; directly comparable multi-channel digital radio roll-up competing for the same UK listeners and ad budgets.
• Global Media & Entertainment: UK's largest commercial radio group operating Heart, Capital, LBC, Smooth and Classic FM; the parent of DAX, PDM's ad sales partner. Closest incumbent by format mix, audience approach, and digital distribution model.
• BBC Sounds: BBC's live radio, podcasts and catch-up audio platform delivered via app and smart speakers; competes for the same UK lean-back listening hours and is the public-sector alternative to PDM's branded stations.

Regional players

• RadioPlayer UK: UK-focused radio aggregator backed by major broadcasters; provides discovery and streaming for hundreds of UK radio stations on apps and connected devices, a comparable UK digital distribution channel.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/positive-digital-media

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about POSITIVE DIGITAL MEDIA LIMITED