Commercial Radio Licensing: Expressions of Interest – Update

At its meeting today (24th September 2012) the Contract Awards Committee (“the Committee”) of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (“the BAI”) decided to invoke the fast-track licensing process for twelve local sound broadcasting services based on its consideration of the twelve expressions of interest received for these services.

The Committee considered each expression of interest on its own merits in the context of the relevant sound broadcasting service and franchise area.  The Committee agreed for each expression of interest that the respondent was the incumbent, as defined in the Broadcasting Act 2009 (“the Act”), and the expression of interest was made in good faith.  Accordingly, and in line with Section 67(2) of the Act, the Committee agreed to invoke the fast-track process for each of the twelve local broadcasting services.  A notice will be published in the national press in mid-October in this regard.

Ends

Media Queries to:

Tony Heffernan / Catherine Heaney

DHR Communications

087-2399508 / 087-2309835

Notes to Editor:

The proposed fast-track licensing processes concern the following franchise areas: –

Munster

  • Waterford City and County: Broad-format, local radio service
  • County Clare: Broad-format, local radio service
  • County Tipperary: Broad-format, local radio service

Connaught Ulster

  • County Mayo: Broad-format, local radio service
  • Galway City and County: Broad-format, local radio service
  • Counties Cavan, Monaghan, Longford and Roscommon and South Leitrim: Two services to be operated under a single contract, as follows: (1)   Counties Cavan and Monaghan: Broad-format, local radio service; (2)   Counties Longford and Roscommon and South Leitrim: Broad-format, local radio service

Leinster Excluding Dublin City and County

  • Counties Louth and Meath: Broad-format, local radio service
  • County Wicklow: Broad-format, local radio service
  • County Wexford: Broad-format, local radio service

Dublin City and County

  • Dublin City and County: Music-driven service (1): Target Audience 15-34 year olds
  • Dublin City and County: Music driven service (2): Target Audience 25-44 year olds