BCI to only issue two licences now......jaysus

roxy

From today's (Friday) Times. "could threaten the viablility of existing stations" Well that's the free market ladies and gents! You have to wonder....

Two radio licences planned for Dublin
by Emmet Oliver

The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) has decided to only issue two new radio licences for Dublin because of concerns that four licences could threaten the viability of existing stations.

The BCI board, which met earlier this week, heard concerns that introducing four new stations to Dublin might pose serious challenges for newer operations such as Newstalk, Spin FM and Dublin's Country.

Instead, the BCI will advertise in the weeks ahead for a new alternative rock service for Dublin city and county and a multi-cultural/ethnic station for Dublin city.

A spokeswoman for the BCI said the decision would help the stability of existing stations, while also adding diversity to the radio market in Dublin. Community station Anna Livia will also have to re-apply for its special-interest licence.

The decision will come as a disappointment to some large radio groups who had expressed an interest to the BCI last year in providing more mainstream and commercial services.

Some 61 expressions of interest were submitted to the BCI. Among those who expressed an interest were Irish Press plc, FM 104, TV3, Thomas Crosbie Holdings, Scottish Media Group, newspaper executive Ms Barbara Nugent, Lite FM, former 2FM DJ Mr Tony Fenton, Setanta Media and a consortium linked to East Coast Radio. The chief executive of the BCI, Mr Michael O'Keeffe, described the response as "phenomenal".

TV3 proposed "a music and information-led classic rock" station in its submission, submitted by chief executive Mr Rick Hetherington.

Lite FM's incoming chief executive, Mr Scott Williams, expressed interest in a rock-based service on behalf of Lite.

In a submission from Mr Eamon de Valera, Irish Press plc said that a "music-based radio service supplemented by and mixed with talk elements" was needed.

Setanta Screens lodged a submission calling for an alternative rock music service. Setanta Screens is linked via its shareholders to Setanta Media.

One of the most prominent pirate radio services, Phantom FM, which is owned by a company called Wireless Media Limited, said in its submission a specialist alternative rock service was needed. Phantom is regarded by many observers as the early favourite to get the alternative rock licence.

Another group, Platinum Radio, called on the BCI to consider "a gold-based music service playing music from the 60s to today". This group was linked to former 2FM disc jockey Mr Tony Fenton.

The only consortium which expressed an interest in a multi-cultural service last year was a group called Metro Éireann based on North Circular Road. Led by journalist Mr Chinedu Onyejelem, it promised "a unique blend of music, art, news and information for the rich multi-cultural make-up of Dublin".

acquiescefc

So is this good or bad news for 91.6/97.4?? Looks like theres a good favourite emerging (*fingers being crossed again*)

I think we need a press conference from Mr R

acquiescefc

Thinkin about it we'll prob end up with Rock Lite FM playing bryan adams and meatloaf in between adverts for Ford Mondeo's

christi

Thanks Roxy for posting the info.

Of course I hope that Phantom fm will be granted a licence because it deserves it, and I have yet to hear another station like it! Isn't there enough classic rock, top-40 pop, and lite, already on the radio in every bloody country on the planet?!

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Phantom - even if I only get to enjoy it via the net.

Cherry

Originally posted by christi
even if I only get to enjoy it via the net.

some of us don't even get to enjoy it that way :ninja:

somehow, i'm not holding much hope of phantom getting a license. not to say i don't think they deserve it, or that i'd love to hear them back on the air, but 90% of people seem pretty content with the sh!theap that is irish FM radio.

butterfly

dudes, the crucial thing here is hope. I haven't listened to phantom in over a month ( has it really been that long..?) since it went off FM, my ****ty browser's all phucked, but still
the spirit stays alive...
eventually the right things will happen
in the right order
for the right reasons
and we'll all be free to wake up & not have to decide what to listen to, cos we'll be waking up to the proper way of listening, the phantom way..
we just have to give it time..
hopefully it will be this time.

Rockiemalt

oh hoorah hazah hoorah....fantastic news,a nd even better celebration for phantom night out.. *pm outside triity then to DOyles

magpie

Why don't Phantom apply for the multi-cultural licence, there's only one other competitor? Half the djs are canadian/mid atlantic, so surely that counts. They could play some senegalese earspoon music every hour in order to fit the bill...

roxy

Originally posted by magpie
Why don't Phantom apply for the multi-cultural licence, there's only one other competitor? Half the djs are canadian/mid atlantic, so surely that counts. They could play some senegalese earspoon music every hour in order to fit the bill...

My god, how can such a short post include so many inaccuracies and such ignorance? Incredible....

magpie

My god, how can such a short post include so many inaccuracies and such ignorance?

Dedication

Tyrrial

Originally posted by magpie
Dedication

projectmayhem

i hope to god phantom gets a license because no rock on the radio is just annoying me now. the car is no longer a place of joy...

christi

According to the "gossip" imps - it's looking good for Phantom I wonder if being a legit radio station will change the sound of "P" in anyway? Hey... no pot-stirring of the negative kind, I'm just wondering if more doors will be open to the station and djs now that they're gonna be all legal!