Polestar Petty already handles production of Radio Times. Mailing of the new title will be handled by the group's new direct mail business, Polestar Direct (PrintWeek, 29 November).

A spokesman for Radio Times said the only difference from the standard issue would be a letters and news page for NTL customers. The first four weekly issues will be offered to existing NTL magazine subscribers at the existing price of 1 per copy.

The special edition, which will have an initial print run of 200,000, is the first occasion that a tailored edition of Radio Times has been produced for a third party. It will replace the monthly NTL Guide.

The BBC and NTL will jointly market the new magazine, which will give the Radio Times a combined circulation of 4.1m.

Polestar key account director Bruce Wheeler said the contract win reflected the group's strength in the production of weekly titles.

Story by Andy Scott