The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) has acknowledged a desire among communications companies for a relaxation of restrictions on media ownership and control.
Summarising the responses to an invitation it made for comments on the subject, the BCI - formerly known as the Independent Radio and Television Commission - noted there was "considerable support" for the Commission taking a "lighter-touch approach" in interpreting and implementing its statutory role.
The Commission said, however, that "there were very few practical suggestions as to how the Commission might apply a 'lighter touch' in the context of ownership and control regulation".
The summary paper, published yesterday, is to form the basis of discussions later this month by the Commission's board on possible changes to cross-media ownership rules. The agency said yesterday "it is envisaged that the deliberations should be concluded at an early date" - and possibly as soon as next month.
If the BCI decides to relax its ownership rules, it could pave the way for a number of take-overs in commercial radio. Ulster TV has said it plans to buy out the 40 per cent of Cork County Sound which it does not already own for £12 million (€15.24 million), while Scottish Radio Holdings has agreed terms with the shareholders of Today FM to purchase the 76 per cent of station which it does not own for £47 million (€59.68 million).
In its summary paper, the BCI noted the majority of respondents opposed its current use of percentages as a means of measuring concentration of media ownership. It noted, however, that "there was an underlying recognition that some level of regulation of ownership would be involved" in achieving local ethos objectives.
The BCI, meanwhile, signed a contract yesterday with Star Broadcasting Ltd, one of the independent companies which was granted a special interest radio licence for Dublin last April.
The company's station, Dublin's Country 106.8 FM, will start broadcasting next month. Music will represent 70 per cent of the station's total output.
A full copy of the BCI's summary paper can be found at www.irtc.ie.
