The BAI is responsible for the licensing of broadcasting services additional to those provided by RTÉ, TG4, the Houses of the Oireachtas Channel and the Irish Film Channel. The Authority also has responsibility for the licensing of multiplex services and entering into contracts in respect of electronic programme guides (EPGs).

The BAI are responsible for the licensing of:

• a national television programme service (TV3),
• a national radio service (Today FM)
• a quasi national service (Newstalk)
• 5 regional/multi-City radio services (Beat FM, Spin South West, iRadio Northwest, iRadio Northeast & Midlands and 4FM)
• a total of 52, local, community, community of interest and institutional radio services.
  

Section 68 (1) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 allows the Authority to enter into a sound broadcasting contract with an applicant for a period of up to 30 days in a 12 month period. Additionally, if the application is for a community sound broadcasting contract, the Authority may enter into a contract for up to 100 days.

All national, regional, local, special interest and television content services are licensed for a period of 10 years. Community, community of interest and institutional services are licensed for 5 years.

The Licensing section of the site contains information on:

• Radio licensing;
• Television licensing;
• Digital Terrestrial Television;
• Electronic Programme Guide; and
• Compliance