Over the past few weeks there have been continuing rumours that DMG might sell its regional radio stations to anyone from WA Newspapers to Macquarie. The rumours have gained strength since the acquisition of RG Capital by Macquarie Bank last week.

Paul Thompson confirmed to radioinfo today that he has ”received significant and increasing expressions of interest in our regional group over the past 6 – 9 months,”

but says ”we haven’t sold any assets to anyone.”

When Thompson began DMG, he told radioinfo that acquiring a group of regional stations was an important entry strategy into the Australian market. It provided him with a base of staff, equipment and cash flow which, at the time, he said was important as a launching pad to a new capital city network.

67 stations later DMG now has one frequency in each major capital city market, two in Sydney and possibly two in Melbourne (if DMG is successful in that bid later in the year).

Other networks planning expansion must now be asking: “Does DMG still need to keep its launching pad,” as they eye off the substantial assets the company has built since acquiring Ray Gamble’s regional stations in its launch phase.