Splanc back on Newstalk

AirMark

Newstalk to restore cancelled shows after order by regulator

MARY MINIHAN

NEWSTALK RADIO station will next month reinstate two cancelled programmes following a direction from the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI).
The Irish-language programme Splanc and the arts show Culture Shock were taken off air towards the end of 2008.
The BCI had directed Newstalk to put the two special interest programmes back on its schedule before the end of February. It is understood the commission will not object to the delay, however.
A spokeswoman for Newstalk confirmed that Splanc would return from next Friday, March 6th. She said this would coincide with the beginning of the Seachtain na Gaeilge festival, the annual Irish language and culture festival.
The original presenter, Daragh Ó Tuama, will host the show, which covers music, current affairs and sport.
The Newstalk spokeswoman also said a new arts programme will begin on Saturday, March 14th at 7pm.
Culture Shock , which was presented by travel writer Fionn Davenport, was cancelled last year. It concentrated on arts, entertainment and popular culture.
The spokeswoman said Davenport would be returning to present the new programme beginning on March 14th, to coincide with St Patrick’s Festival. Earlier this month, The Irish Times reported that Newstalk and Today FM had been notified of serious breaches of contract after they introduced programming changes without prior approval by the BCI.
Both stations are owned by businessman Denis O’Brien’s media firm Communicorp.
The BCI accepted Communicorp’s arguments relating to some of the changes that had taken place, such as some sharing of news arrangements between the two stations. It is understood Communicorp argued that the changes would help to secure the viability of Newstalk in the current economic downturn.
However, the BCI ruled that the removal of Splanc and Culture Shock from Newstalk’s schedule reduced diversity of programming.
The commission also said the absence of these programmes would have a significant impact on the Programme Policy Statement, which sets out the station’s programming commitments.
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This programmes come back, after being one of the ones pulled by newstalk last year.



Question is though, mere lip-service to the Irish language, another free ride for the galegoirs, or a good edition to the newstalk schedule?

Ol' Donie

AirMark wrote: »

, or a good edition to the newstalk schedule?

It's this one.

And it's back up on the newstalk website for 10pm tomorrow.

Tis great news.

Gavinus

This is great news, beir bua Splanc