Radio: Talksport

I agree it's a very poor comparison, it doesn't even relate to what is happening here with Talksport. Just another reason to ITV bash.

Who's ITV bashing? I was simply stating that the ITC couldn't give a toss what one of their licencees brands themselves as, wheras the Radio Authority apparantly does. I quoted ITV because it's the most obvious example, where on paper everything is the same as it was in 1993 but on screen it's clearly very different. But to keep you happy:

'On paper the fifth terrestrial licence still belongs to Channel 5. On screen they brand themselves as 'five'. The ITC allow this, but the radio authority wouldn't.

In any case, my question has been answered now.

That's not really accurate - the Radio Authority allows plenty of name changes - Talk Radio to TalkSPORT to take one example, or News Direct to LBC News, Mean Country to Easy Radio, etc etc etc

Also, plenty of radio licensees' names don't match their on-air brand.

I think a station wishing to assume temporarily a different name due to sponsorship is rather a different proposition.

Indeed. In fact the licensee for TalkSPORT is the Wireless Group.

This is very true, anything they do make, though is a production for five, the people who own it are still known as Channel 5 Broadcasting and the copyright is credited to them. As you would see on the endcap on most of five's programmes.