Amid Macquarie Media’s talk of a fourth TV network, with Australian only content, John Singleton has confirmed he will bid for the new FM radio licence in Melbourne, despite missing out in Sydney and Brisbane.

Singleton has told The Weekend Australian Financial Review that Virgin Radio Australia “… will bid for the Melbourne licence in August.”

And, in a word of warning, he says if they lose again, the joint venture will “… wait for acquisition opportunities, like Austereo!”

Virgin Radio Australia was set up three months ago to bid for the ABA’s FM auctions in the three eastern states. The joint venture was beaten in Sydney and Brisbane by DMG.

Before the Virgin partnership, Singleton already owned 70% of Macquarie Media and built a collection of media assets, including 2GB and 2CH, part of an Indonesian TV network, 20% of the travel guide company, Lonely Planet, and 70% of the film and TV production company, April Productions.

Ten Executive Chairman and former PBL chief executive, Nick Falloon, says he never understood why the Virgin-Macquarie partnership announced its intention to bid for the three new FM licences.

“Why didn’t they keep quiet and make a surprise bid at the first auction? The announcement of the radio joint venture was a publicity stunt and I think the talk about bidding for the fourth TV network is another stunt.”