BroadcastingTHE BROADCASTING Authority of Ireland has received one expression of interest for each of the 12 local radio services with licences due to expire next year.
The authority’s contract awards committee will meet on September 24th to consider the expressions of interest.
The licences up for renewal are those currently broadcast as 98FM, FM104, Galway Bay FM, LMFM, East Coast Radio, Mid West Radio, South East Radio, WLR FM, Clare FM, Tipp FM, Shannonside and Northern Sound. The latter two stations operate under a single contract.
The licences held by the stations’ owners are due to expire between July and November 2013. It is understood each service reapplied for its licence, although in some cases there may be a proposed change in ownership and control.
The committee may decide to fast-track an approval or open the licence up to competition again. This is the first stage of the commercial radio licensing round for 2012-2013, with a further 12 services due for renewal.
The contract awards committee consists of four Government nominees – Siobhán Bourke, David Barniville, Eimer McGovern and Neil Leyden – and two BAI staff members and two members of the authority, John Waters and Larry Bass.
Seven of the 24 services up for renewal relate to music-driven or niche stations. These may apply for a full derogation from the requirement to broadcast a minimum level of 20 per cent of news and current affairs content.
Radio’s advertising revenue is expected to be some €95 million, down from €130 million in 2008.
